Arctic Panzer Wolf - Three Floyds Brewing Co. & Brewpub

eclipse54

Idaho

3.03/5  rDev -28.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A 22 ounce bottle from fvernon; thank you very much for this want! Split into tulip glasses...

Pours a gorgeous yellow gold color that is rather unique. It’s not a semi-translucent copper or straw color, but rather appears as a solid mass of maybe plastic with the color of yellow gold. Atop rests a generous two-finger head of pure white color and fluffy, bubbly consistency. Retention and lacing are a bit lacking, but are minor qualms.

The aroma is of citrus (grapefruit, lemon, orange) and caramel malt primarily, with notes of grains and spicy, resinous hops in the rear. An earthy pine note from the hops is prominent.

It tastes of strong grapefruit and orange citrus, lemon zest, caramel malt, various light grains, and a strange chalkiness that is a bit offputting; it's honestly just plain white sidewalk chalk that comes to mind, reminiscent of the large number of paint chips as a kid. Luckily it's faint, but I still wish it weren't there.

Mouthfeel is solid; ample carbonation, slightly dry on the finish, not overly resinous. Well done here.

Overall, the contents of this bottle suggest a decent IPA. I'd give it another go, considering this bottle may be past its prime, but I'd keep expectations low and open myself to the possibility of a pleasant surprise.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 01:33:35 | More by eclipse54

tswater

Colorado

5/5  rDev +17.6%

05-18-2013 14:36:52 | More by tswater

kojevergas

California

2.95/5  rDev -30.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75

"Imperial India Pale Ale." Less than three weeks old. 1 pint 6 fl oz brown glass bottle with interesting label and art and distinctive colorful branded pressure cap served into a conical Samuel Smith's pint glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Acquired in a trade with the very gracious tcman128 - thanks again, buddy! Expectations are quite high given the brewery and its reputation.

Served cold, straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a four finger beige colour head of nice soft complexion, good thickness, nice cream, slightly frothy consistency, and good (~4-5 minute) retention for the high ABV. Sticky consistent even lacing clings to the sides of the glass as the head recedes. Body colour is a transparent yellow-copper. Vibrant. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Spot-on for the style. I'm looking forward to trying it.

Sm: Floral hops are dominant, with some accompanying light grapefruit and soapy hop character; this may have spent too long in primary. Pale malts. Caramel is a bit too present. Some piney hop character. No yeast character or alcohol comes through. Tangerine. Mango, pineapple, other tropical fruit hop esters. Not ideal choices of hops for my particular tastes, but decent for the style. Clean and pleasant. An average strength aroma.

T: Mango, pineapple, tangerine - all tropical fruit hop esters, and not to my tastes for the style. Too sweet, with a caramel malt undertone. Light grapefruit. Hop bitterness does come through, compromising the balance. Clean. Not a fan of the sticky malty aspect blended with the sweet fruity notes. The pineapple in particular really kills the flavour profile for me; I'm not liking the hop choices made here but I can see where others with different tastes would really enjoy this. Pine. Light bready malts. Old orange juice comes to mind. I'm really just not big on this type of hop character.

Mf: Smooth and wet. Good thickness. Overcarbonated. Sticky. Chewy. Suits the flavour profile decently. Clean. Decent presence on the palate. Sugary. Good body.

Dr: This one just wasn't for me personally, but I don't doubt that it's brewed well. It's largely redolent of old orange juice mixed with tropical fruit notes that don't at all appeal to me - whether in an imperial IPA or not. I didn't find it well-balanced and I won't be having it again, but it does hide its ABV well and I'll happily finish this bottle by myself. Glad to have tried it, but it's just not suited for my personal tastes. Disappointed in the beer, but not for any issues with the quality of the brewing. Looking forward to trying more Three Floyds' IPAs which are hopefully more what I'm after in an imperial IPA.

C

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 05:54:24 | More by kojevergas

Netdogca

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev 0%

05-18-2013 03:22:23 | More by Netdogca

BradSillars

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev 0%

05-18-2013 01:14:25 | More by BradSillars

BrewmanCapote

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev 0%

05-18-2013 00:31:58 | More by BrewmanCapote

carlosega

Ohio

4/5  rDev -5.9%

05-17-2013 17:56:19 | More by carlosega

twenty5

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-17-2013 16:07:14 | More by twenty5

wyatt13

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev 0%

05-17-2013 08:37:57 | More by wyatt13

Holland

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -5.9%

05-17-2013 04:10:27 | More by Holland

roostor07

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev 0%

05-16-2013 23:16:30 | More by roostor07

Westuh

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -5.9%

05-16-2013 18:17:50 | More by Westuh

gueuzegossage

California

4.25/5  rDev 0%

05-16-2013 04:38:46 | More by gueuzegossage

deekyn

California

3.75/5  rDev -11.8%

05-16-2013 04:15:56 | More by deekyn

MNBeer1017

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -11.8%

05-16-2013 02:20:33 | More by MNBeer1017

somethingcreative

Indiana

3.25/5  rDev -23.5%

05-16-2013 02:01:45 | More by somethingcreative

HarmonMW

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev 0%

05-15-2013 20:05:28 | More by HarmonMW

Stoutlad

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev 0%

05-15-2013 00:12:45 | More by Stoutlad

irish01980

South Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +11.8%

05-14-2013 22:37:03 | More by irish01980

phillybeerfreak

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev 0%

05-14-2013 20:58:06 | More by phillybeerfreak

Jordy777

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev 0%

05-14-2013 18:53:11 | More by Jordy777

earlholman

District of Columbia

3.5/5  rDev -17.6%

05-14-2013 13:29:47 | More by earlholman

4amepiphany

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev 0%

05-14-2013 05:09:57 | More by 4amepiphany

MinnTwins

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev 0%

05-14-2013 05:04:08 | More by MinnTwins

Yalobusha

Mississippi

4/5  rDev -5.9%

05-14-2013 04:06:18 | More by Yalobusha