Idiot IPA - Coronado Brewing Company

Beerswag

California

4.1/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A- On tap less than 1finger head, quickly gone. Nice golden to copper tones and slightly hazey. Mountains of lacing on the glass and legs that look like waterfalls.

S-strawberry and citrus noted very heavy. Nice fruity and balanced smell. Medium hop character to the nose.

T- balanced fruity bitterness:
Pine, Strawberry, grapefruit, and and tangerine finish.

M-medium carbonation on the front of the tongue and a bite from enough hops in the back of the palate. Smooth finish with a slightly dry mouthfeel.

O- a nice DIPA that packs enough punch at 8.5, this one I consider a solid choice.

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2013 06:49:16 | More by Beerswag

StoneyPeaches

California

4.35/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Solid IPA. Floral and hoppy nose. Very pleasant mouthfeel and ends w nice bitterness, not too bitter but well balanced and it does not kill your palate for successive beers like Stone's Ruination, which is also fantastic. Had it on tap and got hooked. Idiot pairs well with your typical bar food like nachos and burgers, but it really is enjoyable on its own. This is my any day, sunny day go-to IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2013 22:22:50 | More by StoneyPeaches

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at TJ's, Paoli, PA

Hazy amber pour with a small foamy white head that retained well and left some nice lacing on the glass. Aroma was expectedly hoppy, pithy, bready malts just barely peeking through. Nice taste, citrusy hops, orange and grapefruit pith, underripe pineapple, pine needles, slight bready malt sweetness in the background. About spot-on average for the style. Medium body, fairly bitter and drying, higher ABV well-hidden. Nice overall.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2012 03:58:48 | More by Rifugium

DocJitsu

California

4.1/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy amber golden color with a short, quickly evaporating with head. Vibrant grapefruit wafts into the olfactory like a designer perfume. Not too loud, but very appealing and sexy. Tantalizes nicely. The first pull fills the mouth with slick, wet liquid that finishes with a carbonation scrub and hop burn that balances the mouthfeel well. Flavors are mellow for a San Diego IPA, but the finish bitters with yellow grapefruit tartness. Very solid.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2012 23:46:51 | More by DocJitsu

mltobin

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at The Ginger Man in Norwalk.

Appearance is orange with a bunch of cloudiness, 1 finger white head. Its` nose has grapefruit, sweet malts and flowers. I tip back the glass and taste pine, hops, more of that grapefruit and other citrus fruits. It is bitter, but by no means is it overpowering. This is more of the subdued west coast hop bitterness imo. Mouthfeel is even-keel, dry, not too bitter in the finish. A good, tasty DIPA.

Serving type: on-tap

06-28-2012 01:42:21 | More by mltobin

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On Tap at TJ'S Everyday

A- Idiot is a bright gold color with semi orange spots here and there. A nice frothy cap sits on top of the liquid at all times thanks to the glass. Decent lacing with bubbles seen rising in the beer.

S- Hop goodness with a nice hop punch to the nose. Idiot is citrus forward with slices of grapefruit and mango. Not as piney as other DIPA's. A nice malt addition is within but hard to pinpoint. This smells wonderful.

T- Taste is wonderful with DIPA citrus abound with grapefruit cutting into the palette but not destroying. Malt giving off some sweet bread in between with a nice bitter aftertaste. This is one of my favorite IPA'S from Coronado and while we are at it my favorite offering from them, besides stingray.

M- The hops come flowing but are cut off at the exact right time from the malts. Stoopid is a bitter DIPA but not overkill. Medium bodied with a nice amount of carb plus a slightly dry mouth after some time.

D- A kind of high ABV, but I could finish a bottle no problem. While a lot of IPA beers have a similiar taste profile this one is more on it's own path and deserves all accolades. Plus with the affordability of this (especially in the new 12oz bottle size) I will be revisiting this soon.

Serving type: on-tap

06-24-2012 04:03:31 | More by onix1agr

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Hazy orange ochre with a fluffy head that eventually kicked to a soap scum layer. 4.0

Macerated orange, pineapple, and grapefruit hop nose. Slight doughy maltiness from sweetness. 4.0

Bitter orange, rooibos, grapefruit, caramel, and bready malt. Maltier than I expected. Finishes less bitter. Lots of hop flavors, some floral. 4.0

Well-carbonated. Almost spicy with carb. The sweetness doesn't stick much. Light-medium body. Decent. 4.0

Nothing exceptional, but I still like this beer a lot. I recommend. 3.5

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2012 03:44:52 | More by thecheapies

kylehay2004

Florida

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: half finger head on a clear golden amber body. Very nice lacing.

S: citrus, mostly grapefruit, and slight grassy note. Fairly full nose.

T: Very hoppy with a wide variety of hip notes including floral, pine, citrus and earthy. Malts are present but mildly so.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: Excellent malt profile and not too boozy. A must try for iperaial IPA lovers.

Serving type: on-tap

05-12-2012 03:27:12 | More by kylehay2004

ccrida

Oregon

2.78/5  rDev -29.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

On draught at Mad Mex, Idiot is gold with a white head leaving pretty heavy, foamy lace.

Smell is dirty malt and some hop resin. Dissapointingly hoppy for these guys.

Taste is even worse, strong dirty alcohol and cheap malt. Sharpness to the malt, the sweet tea crystal is exaggerated by the fusels and citric hops. Resinous, pungent aftertaste makes it at least within the style, if a sub-par example.

Mouthfeel is on the chewy, oily side.

Drinkability is low. Not too good. At least the biterrness of the hops numbs the palate. Disappointing, and at $7.50 a pint (yay pgh! ;), a major pass.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2012 19:29:30 | More by ccrida

Dodo2step

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

P- AOH from notes

A- a golden clear color with a 2 finger foamy head that leaves a nice lacing.

S- grapefruit and pine hops with no malts that i can tell.

T- grapefruit and sweet hops. the backend has some warm fuzziness.

M- dry and hoppy, just like an IPA. no malts that can tell but the hops come through.

O- a very good IPA but the excessive dryness from the hops got to me. This may be good for others but i like my IPA's a little les hoppy.

Serving type: on-tap

03-31-2012 17:08:08 | More by Dodo2step

UCLABrewN84

California

3.98/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Library Alehouse in Santa Monica, CA.

Pours a clear honey orange with a white head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy splotches of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of citrus fruit, citrus zest, and some tropical fruit aromas. Taste is the same with a malt backbone that comes through on the aftertaste. There is a medium amount of bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good DIPA with nice hop smells and flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2012 07:16:27 | More by UCLABrewN84

Drinkerofales

California

4.08/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a light amber with gold highlights. Server poured it to the top of the glass, so not much head. Even with not much head it still left some lacing.

Smell is fruity tangerine with hints of pine.

Taste is citrusy, very close to the smell. Pine and pith finish a nice tasting beer.

Very easy to drink, smooth and almost light, kind of juicy, with a nice hoppy bite to it.

A nice beer, good punch, not much malt, very hop focused and nice.

DOA

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2012 20:40:58 | More by Drinkerofales

OleJohnnieAle

Minnesota

4.22/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Hazy golden orange/light copper. Tight bubbles, leaves a far amounts of sticky lacing.

S: Pine, grapefruit, light floral notes, Nice bit of carmel comes through.

T: Very nice floral hops with good grapefruitiness and a bit of orange. Nice sweetness in the middle and get bitterness.

M: Nice hoppy resin left. Slighly boozy but I think it was well balanced so not too noticable. Medium bodied.

O: Happy to try new things when I was in San Diego, Nice big bold hops with nice sweetness.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2012 01:09:09 | More by OleJohnnieAle

hoptualBrew

Florida

4.85/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap into a goblet glass a beautiful honey orange with cream colored head. Before I start, I will say the bottle version I have had holds nothing on the draught version. Lacing sets around the glass and nose of fresh pine sap, orange blossom and caramel malts. I am thinking use of simcoe & amarillo hops. Taste follows the nose but damn this is astringent, complete hop nuke! Tropical citrus, pine, candy sweet caramel, and a soothing floral citrus aftertaste. Bitterness & mouthfeel are near perfect. On tap, this holds it's own with the big boys - Heady Topper, Pliny the Elder, Hopslam, etc... Highly recommended!

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2012 18:01:13 | More by hoptualBrew

tobelerone

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A well made, fairly typical San Deigo DIPA that may suffer a little in comparison with its more famous counterparts and perhaps from its origin in a fairly pedestrian brewbub. But put this in a blind taste test with all but the pinnacles of the style and the Idiot would do just fine.

Nearly clear orange color with a decent sized white head that falls slowly. Superb lacing. Citrusy, grapefruit aroma with a touch of caramel sweetness.

Big, citrusy hop flavor with a restrained malt character and low sweetness that allows the hops to really shine on top. Booziness is also minimally felt and tasted. Aspects of pine, caramel, and fresh cut grass also emerge. Nice bitterness that lingers a bit in the aftertaste but isn’t overly assertive.

Medium to low carbonation on a moderately full body and an overall creamy mouthfeel. Very nice in this department, not sure how it would compare with the bottled version. Very smooth and drinkable.

Overall, an excellent example of the style. I wish we got DIPA’s of this quality on the east coast, in San Diego it’s basically an afterthought after all the Alpine, Alesmith, Green Flash, Pliny, Kern, etc.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2012 15:34:42 | More by tobelerone

notchucknorris

California

3.53/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at O'Brien's

A: Copper color with a 1 finger off white head.

S: Lots of citrus hops with some notes of mango and a bit of orange.

T: Citrus hops with a big dose of hop resin. Maybe a bit too bitter for me. I wanted a bit more of the hop sweetness without the bitterness.

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2012 04:36:53 | More by notchucknorris

ehammond1

California

3.68/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On Tap

Churchill's Pub & Grille
San Marcos, CA

Orange, golden, auburn with a thin off-white head, with moderate cling and stick to the glass.

Sweet citrus elements, pine, and sticky toffee sweetness round out this beer's aroma.

The flavor follows the aroma similarly, though the toffee sweetness is a bit dominant. Moderate bitterness.

Medium bodied with ample carbonation.

Good, somewhat sweet, DIPA.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2011 03:05:29 | More by ehammond1

trisweb

Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Ojai Beverage Company, Ojai, CA.

Pour was a clean yellow-orange with good carbonation and a smooth head, which lasted a while and lined the glass.

Smell was full of hop, some citrus and pine. Very enticing to the nose. I sat and smelled this one for a good few minutes before tasting.

Taste initially very hop-forward and citrus/pine flavor, good hop flavor, much more balanced with sweetness and maltiness coming out after it warmed up—halfway through the glass really hit the sweet spot. Little bitterness or harshness, just smooth malt and sweetness supporting some excellent floral hop flavors. Finish is floral and smooth, no unexpected unpleasant bitterness.

Mouthfeel is not too syrupy at all despite the sweetness, doesn't stick to your mouth; not too thick or strong and very drinkable. Nice.

Overall, a great example of what I consider a west coast IPA. Classified as a DIPA but closer to a strong IPA to me, maybe a bit too balanced in favor of hops over body, but overall very enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2011 03:12:40 | More by trisweb

JTSbeerislife

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On draft at The Fridge, Lancaster PA

10 oz served in a 10 oz tulip glass, an acceptable glass, but I would have chosen another.

Pours a very nice, thick, ¼” head which quickly reduces to a thin cap, easily revived with a swirl, a live ale. Medium amber color, small bubble carbonation.

A big aroma of Piney/Citrus hops is the first thing to hit you in the smell and they dominate throughout the pour, there is some malt in the back ground.

A very distinct, crisp, entry on the palate of Piney hops, golden malt, with a lingering hop bitterness in the middle, absolutely delicious. As the ale warms, the hops take on a more citrus note, and a little more malt comes forward. Full body and excellent carbonation, which makes for a very balanced brew.

Very long, piney/citrus/bitter hop finish.

This is an excellent DIPA. Extremely enjoyable upfront hops, balanced with a crisp acidity, and just the right amount of sweet malt. Definitely in the high end of the DIPA’s I have had. Totally delicious and highly drinkable. Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2011 23:05:27 | More by JTSbeerislife

snpub540

California

3.7/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear amber hue with a thin white head. Scattered lacing is left on the glass. Thin constant stream of bubbles rising from the bottom of the glass.

Smells is all hops with grapefruit and pine being the key players.

Taste is slightly sweet up front but there is definitely a nice amount of hops that add some great flavor and bitterness here. Hop flavors are mango and pine in the finish.

Mouuthfeel is medium. Alcohol isn't noticeable flavor wise but after getting up off my bar stool I felt it. I enjpyed this IPA very much with no expectations coming into it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-09-2011 19:12:24 | More by snpub540

jwhancher

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on-tap at the Coronado brewpub. Pours a semi-hazy golden copper in color. Smells of pungent pine hops. Tastes of very piney hops which appear to coat a hop resin over your teeth. Quite a bitter beer. Rather full mouthfeel. Pretty good overall. Alcohol really hits the head.

Serving type: on-tap

09-09-2011 00:31:47 | More by jwhancher

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appears a hazy gold with a fluffy white cap that slowly fades out into a small cap and collar. Tons of scattered lacing is left around the glass.
Smell is of citrus, caramel, biscuits, grapefruit, and pine sap.
Taste is of the aromas but with a hint of sharp astringency abrassiveness that is very subtle but adds character to the bitters/maltiness.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, sweet, and balanced. Good west coast DIPA.

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2011 22:17:53 | More by weeare138

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.2/5  rDev -19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at SAVOR 2011. Served in a SAVOR goblet.

Pours a clear peach color with an average white head and some spotty lacing on the way down. The nose carries a bit of grain along with a fairly-pronounced citrus character. There's also a bit of booze in the background. The flavor has too much grain, but does bring a decent amount of citrus. The body is medium with a bitter, dry finish. Still, too much booze. Okay, but needs to mellow it on the alcohol factor.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2011 16:57:47 | More by Thorpe429

SubpoenaDeuces

California

3.43/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Coronado Idiot IPA 8.5%

A: This appears very similar to the hall of fame IPAs with its cloying orange and amber hues. It just ignites with brightness like a long forgotten Captain Nemo concert. Good carbonation with nice lacing.

S: Smells of Mango, pineapple, orange and tart pear zest. The whole affair feels like a Pliny and Sculpin clone done well, but missing just that certain joie de vivre that would make it exceptional. It is not how hard it is to mark down a beer for coming close in substance and form to such exceptional instances of the genre.

T: Again, similar to the nose, it delivers on the citrus and feels like the heavy hitters but lacking the balance. It just feels “emptier” on the juiciness front with more of a dryness that makes it fall short of greatness. The citrus notes are still there but they just don’t deliver as expected.

M: The mouthfeel is well-done, it has that perfect light complexity to it that provides just enough to deliver the citrus notes and not overload on the Maharaja maltiness. The crisp palate goes well with the hop profile but it just seems a bit thin and is missing something that I cannot place.

D: This is an exceptionally drinkable beer, particularly in light of the abv. It makes me shudder to think what my friends would be capable of if they were provided enough of this drinkable and alcoholic beer. The light alcoholic profile makes a slight appearance like a groundhog surveying the countryside for its shadow and retreats immediately, much to the users detriment.

Narrative: Dwayne Clark knew that his grill was illfitting and he didn’t care to address the issue. In urban circles this was an issue of ultimate reproach and he instead chose to clench his bicuspids defiantly. “What type of cheesy gordita crunch would you like?” “mhm.” He just felt the pang of knowing that his vestigial dental accessory was somehow subpar to the most luxurious on the block. “I shed, jush a regular scheesy gordita, crunsh.” He gritted his jaw knowing they were mocking his ostentatious purchase, the precious stones obfuscating his speech. WHAT WAS HE SUPPOSED TO DO? TAKE IT OUT? That is simply not an option when you come so close to regal greatness. No sir, he resolved to show this grill in all of its majesty, despite the “minor” problems that he may encounter on a day to day basis.

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2011 08:09:48 | More by SubpoenaDeuces

aval89

Arizona

4.08/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: cloudy golden color.. 1 & a half finger head..

S: lots of sweet tropical fruits.. mango, papaya, honey dew.. some citrus notes.. there is a malt backbone deep in there....

T: more sweet tropical fruits.. peach, mango, papaya.. citrus rind bitterness.. the malt comes in to avoid being on dimensional.. slight alcohol kick..

Mf: medium bodied with great carbonation for the style.. slight alcohol warming..

O: nice dipa.. my first Coronado brew. Nice job..

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2011 01:46:18 | More by aval89