Arctic Panzer Wolf - Three Floyds Brewing Co. & Brewpub

weonfire

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Enjoyed this on tap at the Tap House Grill in Westmont, IL in a 10 oz snifter.

A - Golden brown, thin white head around rim, semi translucent

S - Deep citrus, grapefruit, carmel

T - Pine, lemon, grassy, pineapple, grapefruit, carmel. Finish was a hoppy bitterness (7/10), slight booze

M - Full body, med froth, pine lingers

O - Very nice IIPA. Nose was very good. Huge citrus. Taste has more pine than citrus which I wish was the other way around. Wish it was more frothy. Lastly, ABV could be hidden a bit better on finish. But, I would have no problem have this again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-07-2013 00:20:22 | More by weonfire

magictacosinus

California

3.8/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Glad I got to try this during DLD at the brewery. It was refreshing to have this for only $5 after waiting over 3 hours in line! Poured into a 10oz plastic tumbler.

Pours a golden, pale amber color with a modest one finger of head that eventually fizzles out. In some ways, looks awfully like Belgian-style golden ales, especially with the extra cascade of bubbles that rises to the top of this. Impressive that the carbonation lasts this long, especially when considering the size of the tumbler and high ABV. This is definitely thickened overall, and I was even able to capture sight of some large alcohol legs on the walls of the cup. Definitely paler and far different in body than other DIPAs I've seen, but very wicked looking.

Contains an aroma that filled with a range of sweetened to bittered phenols, ranging from pineapples to dried citrus rinds. Goes in and out in both flavors, quite literally. At first there's the pineapple aroma combined with white grapes, apricots, and maybe sweetened apples, but eventually it's replaced by oranges, earthy lime notes, slight spices, and maybe some some candi sugar? Definitely hard to keep track on all the flavors going on here, but it's definitely interesting. Almost ranges from being a cross between a DIPA and a tripel in some ways, although that would be a lazy analogy in contrasts of all the nuances. Alcohol is quite present as well, although I'm barely getting any other aspects to the beer other than some cracked, golden graininess, as well as slightly yeasty bready phenols. Not the most balanced aroma per se, but still packs a punch.

The flavor is quite different, however: rather than get too sweet or bitter on the palate, it turns out both sides of the spectrum meld quite well due to the thickened, near juicy body this beer holds. At first, there's an initial grainy sweetness, combined with pineapple and orange notes, which quickly get overtaken by a bittered, spicy, awfully zesty bitterness imparted by the hops. Doesn't really numb the palate completely, although it does get the initial fruity flavors and make them more vibrant. The malts are not too present in the flavor here, but they provide undeniable thickness that makes this easier to drink. The alcohol is actually not very present here, with no burn at all, and I downed this rather quickly in spite of all of the flavors and strong bittered presence. Almost vinous in character, too, although not as dry by comparison.

This is an intense yet solid offering from FFF. Can't say I loved it as much as their other stuff that I got to try, but it's a strong, full bodied hop-filled and fruity experience that should definitely be tried. At the price of $13 a bomber everywhere, it's debatable whether this is worth it, but fans of DIPAs and tripels must try this thing at least once, in my view.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2013 05:13:03 | More by magictacosinus

Docrock

Illinois

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

On tap at FFF, served in a tulip

A - Golden with a clean white 1" head that quickly dissipated to a thin cap. Lacing was minimal.

S - huge, hopped to the max. pine and pineapple.

T - heavily hopped at the front- lots of pine, pineapple, orange peel with a slight lingering bitterness.

M - Moderate carbonation, crisp, nice bitterness on the finish. Hops overpower the malt, but the above is still noticeable.

O - On the hoppier side of most DIPA's. Not as balanced as Dreadnaught but if in the mood for a hop kick in the face, this is your beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2012 22:58:26 | More by Docrock

jdavren

Ohio

4.55/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Beautiful color n the border of golden and amber. Beautiful lacey head that quickly dissipates.

Citrusey and piney nose.

Appropriate and very nice bitterness at the front. Subtle maltiness that belies the 9 % ABV.
Don't taste the expected caramel. Always think a 9% beer that tastes like this is dangerous. Too easy to drink!

Finish as expected for DIPA. Big hoppy bitterness.

Superb beer to my taste. Sad the cask will not last long.

Serving type: on-tap

10-25-2012 00:55:04 | More by jdavren

mishtif

Illinois

4.65/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Enjoyed on tap at the brewpub , served in a tulip.

To start off, this is one the most powerful tasting beers i have had.

The smell is a like hops under your nose with a hint of pine and pineapple.

very crisp with a light mouth feel for a imperial IPA a thin head bout a finger

bitter end to this beer that doesnt leave and earthy bitterness to it, with the smell of this i would expect more earth tone notes from it.

cant wait til i get another.

Serving type: on-tap

10-12-2012 20:11:14 | More by mishtif

mltobin

Connecticut

4.15/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Just was getting a bag ready for a different trip and dug out some notes from a trip a few months ago to Milwaukee.

Arctic Panzer enjoyed on-tap, served in a goblet. The appearance is amber, golden notes with a small white head. Its` nose has citrus, malts and a nice sweetness to it. A good amount of hops, but certainly nothing overboard. Mouthfeel is towards heavy, bitterness in the finish. It is a pleasant aftertaste, though one that I found was helpful to have bread nearby to enjoy with. A very good DIPA from FFF.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2012 01:11:27 | More by mltobin

cfrances33

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at The Mark in South Bend on 8/12/12, served in a tulip.

Pour: Mostly clear pale bright orange with two fingers white head. Great lacing.

Smell: Oranges, grapefruit, pine. A nice honey sweetness.

Taste: Huge bitter grapefruit and orange. Really bitter. A nice pine in the background. Orange flavors takes an orange rind spiciness. Honey sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Super bitter, almost too much so, even for me. Still, goes down easy, and no hint of alcohol.

Overall: A great DIPA from Three Floyds, though not quite as delicious as Dreadnaught.

Serving type: on-tap

08-12-2012 23:44:48 | More by cfrances33

JDizzle

Indiana

4.53/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Ha on tap at Three Floyd's pub.
Got a 10oz snifter for $5.

Pours a beautiful gold copper cooler with a sweet white head. Looks like the perfect DIPA.

The aroma consist of grapefruit, pineapple, and mango. Very hoppy smelling. Soooo good!!

Yeah Buddy!!! This is one badass DIPA. A blast of citrus upfront that is bitter and a nice biscuity malt on the finish so it's not a one sided monster.

Mouthfeel is huge. Syrupy with nice carbs.

Totally different than Dreadnaught, but just as good.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2012 17:32:14 | More by JDizzle

GJ40

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sampled on tap at the brewery.

Golden with great clarity and fantastic lacing. Outstanding hop aroma with lots of tropical fruit. Citrusy hops, toasted malt and a definite sense of alcohol. Super creamy with a low carbonation.

This is a big, rich beer that’s meant to be sipped and appreciated.

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2012 09:27:43 | More by GJ40

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.48/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a hazy golden yellow color with a two finger frothy white head.  Good retention, only slowly fading into a lasting ring. Streaks of lacing left behind.

Aroma bursting forth with sweet citrus and tropical fruit notes along with subtle earthy pine and pale malts.  Complex hop profile with dank floral hops countering the sweetness but the nose is dominated by tropical/citrus fruit.  Lots of  mango, pineapple, grapefruit and orange peel along with pale biscuit malt notes.

On the fuller end of medium bodied with a blast of sweet citrus and tropical fruit notes countered by faint earthy dryness.  Excellently balances with dank earthy pine notes and some pale biscuit malt.  Never comes across to bitter or too sweet.  Very flavorful and easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2012 01:48:24 | More by corby112

abrand

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at DLD 2012. Poured into plastic cup

Pours a deep orange color with a huge 3 finger foamy head from the tap. Nice looking pour. Smell is full of fruits and hops. Very big aromas. Taste is amazing. Loads of hops with nice floral notes. No alcohol on the palate. Mouthfeel is medium bodied. Overall this is so good. Well done.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2012 00:51:02 | More by abrand

Lemke10

Wisconsin

4.2/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I had this on-tap at the Three Floyds brewpub for $5.

Pours a cloudy copper orange color with a minor head but great lacing. Has a mild scent of bitter hops. Rather bold and flavorful, even though it was rather hoppy it wasn't overly bitter. Crisp, clean, and refreshing. Nicely served in proper glassware and temperature I might add.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2012 21:47:48 | More by Lemke10

Prostman81

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

My favorite DIPA from Three Floyds. Terrific body, crisp. Alcohol bite is a little more present here than in Dreadnaught, but the dose of hops in this helps smooth it back out. It doesn't pack the hop aroma that I get from, say, a Hopslam, but the flavor is all there. I've had this on-tap and in bottle, and both are very similar, with on-tap having a little better aroma (I'm thinking I served my own bottle a little colder than in the pub). A bit pricey at the liquor stores, but if you shop around and can get it for a good price, it's hard to beat.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2012 22:29:00 | More by Prostman81

Weebay

Ontario (Canada)

4.55/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I has this both on tap at 3F and from a growler to go.

A: yellow/orange good clarity, inch of white head, good lacing.

N: grapefruit and tangerine, excellent nose.

T: strong citrus hops, sweet malt finish.

M: doesn't feel sticky, the appropriate amount of carbonation.

O: An excellent beer, you can't taste the ABV at all, one of the mainstay beers that makes 3F so great.

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2012 16:23:35 | More by Weebay

barczar

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours into the tulip a slightly hazy golden color with a quarter inch cream head that lingers as a ring of foam and a thin later on the surface.

Citrus and pine resin dominate the aroma, with grapefruit and orange pith taking center stage. A grainy malt backbone is evident.

Flavor is bitter, grainy, bready, with a moderate citrus/grapefruit fruitiness, tangerines and perhaps pineapple. Alcohol is evident in the finish.

Medium body with moderately high carbonation. An alcoholic warmth is present.

Overall, less citrus and more bitterness and alcohol than dreadnaught (which is one of my faves). Great beer! But I'd like a but more fruitiness.

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2012 02:41:39 | More by barczar

Hoptometrist

Oregon

4.78/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Served on tap into a tulip glass at 101 Bottles

A- Poured a super bright and hazy golden orange color with a nice fluffy head that left tons of chunky lace. Really incredible looking beer

S- Amazing aroma full of pineapple juice, citrus, and tropical fruit. Very pungent and powerful aroma.

T- Big pineapple, citrus, and tropical fruit flavors, as well as floral notes. Finishes with assertive bitterness, but not as palate wrecking bitter as I expected

M- This beer finishes ultra dry, definitely the driest beer I have ever had. Pretty high carbonation up front and drinks pretty smooth.

O- This DIPA is in the same class as Ruination but drinks a lot smoother and the aroma and taste of this beer are incredible and unlike anything else I have had.

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2012 20:21:00 | More by Hoptometrist

BrewerB

California

4.2/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sampled back on 5/29, on tap at the Three Floyds brewpub in Munster, IN.

Pours a lightly hazy, medium orange beneath a thin white head.

Massive citrus hop aromas, primarily grapefruit. Pine needles.

Flavor is intensely hoppy with a very bitter ruby red grapefruit and a scant mango. Malt isn't making much of a statement but there's enough to support the screaming hops.

Medium-light in body with a moderate level of carbonation. Well masked strength.

This is a take-no-prisoners approach to hoppy beers. Screaming with citrus/tropical flavors, loaded up with bitterness. For it's size, this one sure goes down easy.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2011 03:59:53 | More by BrewerB

Ryan011235

Ohio

2.28/5  rDev -46.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

On tap in tulip at Bodega on 10/18/11

Evenly hazed honey gold and amber. 1/4th inch head is gone in no time. Dainty soapy swirl and a very thin collar.

Dense hop aromas - pine and grapefruit followed by tangerine, lemon and hints of orange. Cracker malts and a sugar note. Juicy with a touch of booze.

Wow. Clawing, scathing bitterness is unleashed with one sip. Pine and sharp blasts of grapefruit mangle the palate. Finishes harsh with aspirin bitterness and grapefruit pith. Very dry, too. Sugary bread and fledgling cracker are nothing but an ignored speed bump. Malts become bigger over time. This is rough; starts out promising but falls apart entirely.

Hop flavor is trumped by bitterness; a painful, tingling sensation lingers. The only way to describe the feel is "oww." As if the bitterness wasn't enough, carbonation is brutal and searing. Medium body and a bit slick, I think.

What an undeniable let down; I'm so glad I didn't buy a bottle. It wants to be good, but this is just bad. There's no other way to put it.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2011 22:55:33 | More by Ryan011235

iadler

Minnesota

3.95/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Boiler Room. Thought it was time to review after having several times.

A- Pours a hazy gold with a reddish hue. A few bubbles make up a thin cap, but no head or lacing.

S- Pine needles, pine cones and pine tree bark. Tropical and citrus hops are present as well as a touch of caramel malt.

T- Taste like you are eating a bowl of pine needles with grapefruit juice. One of the most pine forward DIPA's I've tasted. Tropical notes with pineapple and mango are mixed in, but the pine is pretty dominate.

M- Low carbonation and medium body. Finishes dry and bitter.

O- This is just a damn bitter DIPA and really doesn't attempt to be balanced at all. It's another solid IPA from FFF, but I prefer Dreadnaught over this.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2011 01:01:53 | More by iadler

Tilley4

Tennessee

4.2/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the brewery....

Lots of hops present in the aroma as expected... Citrusy and piney in nature... Very pungent... World class...

Hops aren't quite as prevalenr in the flavors although the bitterness is a mother... Dry and bitter, this brew loses a little punch vs the bottled version... Still terrific but not absolutely world class as the bottled version was...

I liked this a lot but after a few brews prior to this, I was a little muddled... A nice beer but this one shut me down for the evening...

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2011 00:03:03 | More by Tilley4

znichols

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- a clean, deep straw colored pour with the slightest bit of hazyness. Little to no head and a decent portion of sticky lacing. Looks like a DIPA.

S-very pungent hop aromas are present. A little bit of smashed orange, some dank green herbs, and maybe a little bit of pepper. Id guess simcoe and columbus hops here with mix of citrus and strange dank aromatics. Little bit of sweet malt and alcohol on the nose too. Very intriguing hop bouquet.

T- first taste is punishing hop flavor/bitterness. This is to be expected. Tastes of oranges and pineapple as well as a little sage or other spice. Some sweet malt present in the middle but again, not much. Finish is alcohol. Really enjoyable hop forward flavors. Different than many double india pales as it mixes some varying resinous hop flavors that don't normally compliment eachother.

M-medium body with moderate carbonation. Sweet and sticky. That's about it. Just as expected. A little oily from the alcohol.

O- I like this DIPA. I don't love it though. It has everything you'd expect from the style with the pungent citrus and herb flavors with the warming finish. FFF makes some of the best hop-forward beers available and this ones no different. I think the abv could be a little more hidden and perhaps a touch more head to the beer, but that's me simply looking for faults in this good beer. I think id prefer their Dreadnaught more often than this though...

Serving type: on-tap

10-26-2011 04:48:48 | More by znichols

paultierney1

Ohio

4.72/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Surprisingly bright, almost glowing yellow-orange appearance in a pint glass from the tap at Swig in Perrysburg, OH.

A sign from heaven? Strong hoppy nose -- I knew it would be a killer right there.

Delicious taste, great balance. I had no idea it was a DIPA until just now and that the ABV was so high. Could not tell from drinking it.

Wonderful job 3F!

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2011 12:46:36 | More by paultierney1

PittBeerGirl

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap at VE to celebrate FFF's return to Ohio.

A- Body is a pale blonde hue that is pretty uniformly cloudy. Served with a 1-2 finger foamy white head. Head sticks at about 1/2 finger and plenty of lacing remains down the glass.

S- Nose is good- pretty typical for a blond imperial IPA- soft of reminds me of Victory Hop wallop in the nose profile. A ton of grapefruit and a ton of pine-quite hoppy and little to no malt to back it up. The nose is quite birght and inviting.

T- The nose is a lot like the taste-only a lot more intense. Bright bitter white grapefruit upfornt with pine overtones, the finish is a burst of refreshing pine and grapefruit rind bitterness. The bitterness lingers on and on for awhile.

M- Very high carbonation and a light body. Not really smooth or oily.

O- This is a circumstance where I wish the drinkability score was still there. At first this is a good, agressive IPA. The pine is intense and the beer is rather dry, bitter, and cooling. Its great for 5 oz...then its just too aggressive. I started with this because I was so excited to try it. By the end of the glass I was definately done and the beer had defeated me. It also wrecked my palate so that I could barely taste Dreadnaught or Robert the Bruce.

I see a lot of reviews that say this is a well balanced IPA, or that its not too hoppy. The Arctic Panzer wolf that I faced was as much of a one sided hoppy mess, if not moreso than Moylan's hopsickle. There was nothing forgiving about this brew.

Serving type: on-tap

09-30-2011 22:33:53 | More by PittBeerGirl

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Three Floyds : Artic Panzer Wolf

Pale golden color, small head providing alot of lacing. Sweet & fruity malts, pineapple, and tropical hop notes make up the aroma. In the taste, piney and earthy. Nice bitterness, though aggressive. Grapefruit rind. Some noticeable alcohol but not distracting. Dry. Resinous hops. Oily. Medium to full bodied, mild carbonation, good drying hop bite in the finish. Overall, another fine double IPA from 3 Floyds. Really tasty, very solid.

Serving type: on-tap

09-30-2011 16:02:15 | More by Stinkypuss

cagocubs

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served from tap into snifter glass.

A: Pour was a hazed out burnt orange with a finger of bone white head. The head lingered and gently dissipated to a cap. Remnants laced glass well.

S: Hops, citrus, fruit, and some bready character to the pour. Hops definitley prevail but a good amount of tropical and darker fruit are apparent in smell.

T: Best of both worlds. Bitter and sweet, you could say bittersweet (see what I did there?). The citrus and tropical fruits pair with the bitter hops nicely. Bready finish with malts are curbed by hop warming.

M: Medium body with decent carbonation. A dry warm and bitter finish are memorable with this beer.

O: It is getting difficult to judge 3Fs beers. Quality is overwhelming with this brewery. I find myself judging 3F beers against the other 3F beers I've had, all while most of them are a step above many other DIPAs. Overall, a very good DIPA but I do enjoy other 3Fs in comparrison.

Serving type: on-tap

09-08-2011 02:10:42 | More by cagocubs