Green Flash West Coast I.P.A. - Green Flash Brewing Co.

elNopalero

Texas

5/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I don’t know how this one escaped my review attention as it’s on regular rotation for me but this is my first time trying it for the boards. Had it after going to the gym and it was the perfect post-workout drink. Although it might have negated the actual workout.

This beauty pours a amber-gold color with tight foam. There’s a fantastically fresh and bountiful bouquet of fresh grapefruit with some piney resin rounding it out. Incredibly vivid flavor with all sorts of citrusy and piney tastes dancing across my tastebuds. Great bitter finish makes me want another sip. Fresh, crisp, hoppy—it’s everything I wanted and so much more. Splendid.

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2012 18:23:06 | More by elNopalero

Hoptometrist

Oregon

4.75/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Served on tap into a nonic glass at the Winking Lizard

A- Poured a dark semi-hazy amber color with a soapy head that left minimal lace

S- Aromatic beer with big dank, candy sweetness, grapefruit, and pine notes

T- Lots of big candied grapefruit, pine, and some dank notes. Big astringency and bitterness. The aftertaste of this beer is outstanding and really sticks.

M- Medium body, finishes dry, prickly carbonation

O- An amazing west coast IPA with huge astringent notes and lots of hop flavors. Highly drinkable with lots of bitterness and hop sweetness.

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2012 02:36:51 | More by Hoptometrist

TriggerFingers

New Jersey

4.63/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is the stuff hop dreams are made of! Had at the Stone Anniversary Release.

A- Dark Golden/Light Amber -- right on the money!
S- A slightly danky IPA, but not overly so. That said, many IPA's are going the total citrus route, so some dank is kinda nice! Pine and citrus are also present-- Nicely done!
T- Slight nutty taste but the danky-ness continues. The bitterness walks the line (between harsh and smooth) and lingers into the finish like a laser- I would say this is pretty balanced, if not a little flamboyant for the style!
M- Nice, firm malt backbone and hop presence
O- If choosing an IPA you would be hard pressed to find any better. Its West Coast, which if you are on this site, means hops across the board. Its a nice beer. Personally, I like something a tad more "toned down" like Port's Wipeout IPA. With that said, I can totally appreciate this effort.

Grade: Solid A

Serving type: on-tap

05-29-2012 23:21:50 | More by TriggerFingers

stampfler07

Colorado

4.35/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Slightly cloudy and colored deep red, creamy white head that has sticky lacing, served in a small snifter, beautiful

S- Moderate floral hop, slight pine, a little bit of sweetness, complex

T- Woody bitterness that builds throughout, amber malt sweetness that balances, floral and zesty citrus hop flavor in the middle, slightly dry finish with lingering bitterness and light hop flavor

M- Light carbonation, moderate body, nice warming and slightly dry

O- An awesome IPA, even before I tasted it I was quite taken by both the appearance and the aroma. Taste did not disappoint, very assertively flavored, but with good complexity and a degree of balance. Definitely one to seek out.

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2012 01:03:17 | More by stampfler07

ChiPool

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap at Jerry's in Wicker Park.

I've been looking forward to trying this fresh, and definitely had it fresh yesterday. Looks the part of an American IPA: medium rust colored. Smells weedy, and a bit of citrus blend as well. This guy is a true hop monster. I don' recall having another beer that is quite so hop forward. Very little malt to balance, which is just fine with me. There is a lingering bitterness, leaving that grapefruit rind taste behind. If you are not afraid of a true "palate scorcher", seek this out...pronto!

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2012 20:01:39 | More by ChiPool

marlinsfan4

Maryland

4.7/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Have been wanting to try this beer forever, finally got a chance to try this one at a new, local bar in Baltimore as part of their 2 for $6 happy hour.. can't beat that.

Overall, one of the best IPA's I've had, if not one of the best beers I've ever tried. A hop heavy IPA for sure, but also one of the most well balanced with a great malt backbone, making for a great mouthfeel, body, and texture. Extremely tasty and drinkable, this is a fantastic beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-15-2012 19:11:18 | More by marlinsfan4

DirtyHippie

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Copper colored, off white head, nose showed a bit of malt through the pine. Good lace down the glass. Bitterness hangs on but it is bettter balanced and maybe a bit maltier than many west coast IPAs. Drinks much easier than the ABV would indicate. Very good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2012 19:46:02 | More by DirtyHippie

haddon

Kentucky

4.43/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

had this gem on-tap at the Beer Trappe in Lexington, KY.

Poured into a nonic pint glass. The color is a copper-orange color with a nice white head. lots of lacing all the way down the glass.

The nose is hoppy with strong citrus notes. dominated by orange and grapefruit.

The taste is all hops with some citrus rind and with heavy pine component. bitter aftertaste lingers for a while.

Nice medium feel with a good amount of carbonation.

A real standard for IPA. everything this style embodies with citrus fruit and bitter bite. cold drink all day.

Serving type: on-tap

04-10-2012 14:59:06 | More by haddon

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.2/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from tap into pint glass at Lazy Boy, White Plains, NY.
Pours a creamy foamy head on a crisp golden straw/orangey color. Nice pine and sweet hop aroma. Taste is of chewey cottton candy-like, grapefruity/citrus intense pine hop. Really well balanced and full of flavors without blowing your palate. Nice IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2012 12:25:26 | More by DrinkSlurm

thydarkprevails

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Draft beer in a pint glass. Pours a orange yellow with a 2 inch white head. Aroma is all tropical and citrus. Pine and caramel as well. Taste is very piney. Grapefruit and caramel are really present. Thin to medium Mouthfeel. Very well balanced and super quenching.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2012 11:34:31 | More by thydarkprevails

PorterLambic

Florida

4.13/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Arrives a rich, golden amber with a solid 1" head atop it. Retention is good and so is the lacing.
Smell is, of course, hoppy with a strong accompanying malt note with citrus and pine notes. Good balance.
Taste is hops, malt, citrus and pine again. Not a bitter hoppiness but it is the front note with a goodly malt backing it.
Watery start with a drying middle and finish. Light to medium body. Effervescence is restrained but not absent. A very good brew and fortunately for me, not a hop monster as so many West Coast IPAs tend to be.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2012 00:26:10 | More by PorterLambic

mattsdenney

Tennessee

4.4/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Puckett's downtown.

A: clear, red with a finger of white head. Not much lacing but I am drinking it from a mason jar so who knows for sure.

S: no shortage of pungent hops here. Heavy citrus and floral scent.

T: clean crisp and hoppy. They didn't hold back on the hops at all with this one. Dry. Grassy and earth, very good.

M: pretty light overall, somewhat thin. Great consistency given the quality of the hop flavor.

O: glad we just got this in Nashville. Perfect timing for summer. Will buy again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2012 00:08:29 | More by mattsdenney

mactrail

California

2.63/5  rDev -38%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Tremendously bitter. You get a brief flash of rich malt followed by a blast of hops. Great, if that's why you drink beer. The malt leaves a slight sweetness on the lips. And that's it. The hops leave a dank, harsh, bitterness on the tongue.

Clear orange amber in the pint glass. Decent foam and carbonation. Nose of hops, resins, and more hops. Water chaser is indicated with this one. At Trio restaurant in Palm Springs (tasted 02/25/2012).

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2012 19:05:53 | More by mactrail

mooseo

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Jose Pistolas in Philly, poured into pint.

A - Deep amber with a dense white head.

S - Fresh grapefruit, pine, and grass. Aroma is rather strong. Excellent.

T - Grapefruit and citrus dominant in flavor, complimented by a smooth caramel malt base.

M - Smooth, medium-full body. A little bit sticky, dry finish.

O - Impressive IPA. Good drinkability, great flavor and balance.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2012 00:32:58 | More by mooseo

B33R501

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

one of the better single ipas. no need to worry about bottle dates and i prefer this beer on tap.

pours nice hazy amber, smells and tastes of bright citrus and piney hops, chewy mouthfeel, and perfectly bitter, nice aftertaste that lingers for quite some time.

overall outstanding.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2012 13:16:38 | More by B33R501

MattSweatshirt

Texas

4.13/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Idle Rich Pub in Dallas, TX
The body is a transparent amber with an off white head leaving lacing down the glass and the head has great retention.
I get a sweet caramel with grapefruit and pine. Slight floral aroma hangs out in the background
A light bitterness from the hops balances well with the sweetness. Grapefruit flavor abounds along with some pine.
Medium body with prickly carbonation and a slight drying.
This is a pretty darn good IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2012 23:56:38 | More by MattSweatshirt

jaasen64

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

20oz. glass On-tap at Parish Cafe & Bar in Boston

A- Brownish golden, average carbonation, about a finger and half of white froathy head. Decent lacing.

S- A little bit hoppier then your average IPA. Not too sweet, but definitely a distinctive pine smell.

T- Definitely hoppy, slightly sweet piney taste, a little bit bitter.

M- Medium boddied, easily drinkable especially at 7.3%, nice froathy head gives a nice mouthfeel at beginning of beer. About average carbonation.

O- This beer was definitely good for an IPA. It definitely had a generous amount of hops and had a nice piney taste. The alcohol was definitely well hidden and the beer was easily drinkable. It definitely had a distinctive west coast piney taste. The only thing I didn't like about this beer was that it wasn't sweet enough. I usually like a sweet grapefruit citrus taste with my IPAs to go along with the piney taste however I know this probably wasn't intended in this style of beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2012 03:44:34 | More by jaasen64

ThePorterSorter

New York

3.85/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer pours a rich amber with no head. Modest hop aroma with sweet malt and almost no alcohol. The taste is booming hops with a little sweetness from the malt to follow. Relatively smooth and balanced towards the end, quite enjoyable. This is really an IPA you can drink 20oz of, I would recommend it to west coast IPA lovers.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2012 21:58:29 | More by ThePorterSorter

merc7186

New York

4.18/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this beer on tap at McGregors in Amherst NY, poured into a 11oz mug.

A: Amber Hue, Passes Some Light, Great White Head, Decent Lacing

S: Resin, Malts. Bread

T: Piney, Bread, Malty

M: Great Carbonation, Medium to Full Bodied, Bitter, Boozy

Overall, a great IPA with a nice piney flavor and nose, boozy aftertaste.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2012 21:50:02 | More by merc7186

Merkur

Tennessee

4.33/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer pours a nice amber color with about a fingers worth of white foamy head.

Beer smells very strongly of citrus and floral hops.

Taste follows the nose. Very sweet on the initial sip, followed by a great bitter finish. Strongly of pine at the end.

Mouthfeel is a tad on the thick side, but not too bad.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2012 02:42:08 | More by Merkur

HoposaurusRex

North Carolina

4.48/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Serving type: on tap

A: Pours vibrant amber, somewhat hazy, with a half inch off-white head. Significant lacing on glass.

S: Very strong citrus and floral notes. Noticeable grapefruit aroma. Maybe a hint of pine.

T/M: Sweeter taste than I expected from the hoppy aroma. Very citrusy. Grapefruit and lemon flavors dominate. Crisp, clean hoppy finish that leaves a slight puckering sensation.

O: A very well-balanced IPA with strong notes of grapefruit. Excellent crisp floral finish that does not leave the palate completely dominated by hops. I would definitely get this one again and I am very happy that it is showing up on draft at more and more locations in North Carolina. Paired very well with the spicy Cajun chicken wings I ordered.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2012 19:01:29 | More by HoposaurusRex

UCLABrewN84

California

3.85/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Tony’s Darts Away in Burbank, CA.

Pours clear light orange with a 1 inch foamy bone colored head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is a total hop bomb: herbal, floral, citrus zest. Taste is also all about the hops with citrus zest and herbal/floral hop flavors battling for dominance. There is a somewhat assertive hop bitterness that lingers on the palate long after each sip. Unfortunately, this beer was flat as hell and that made it a bit of a chore to drink. Overall, this is a good IPA that blasts your nose and mouth with hops of all kinds.

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2012 17:47:12 | More by UCLABrewN84

musicman575

California

4.72/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

The thing that I like most about the appearance of this beer is the creaminess of the head. It foretells of a loaded beer that has a slightly syrupy viscosity and delicate but ample carbonation.

The smell of cascade hops is immediately pleasant. The smell of cascades always gives me a strong craving for beer, but it's a very welcome craving. It smells very sweet and flowery

The taste is anything but neutral. It starts sweet and floral and has a strong lingering botanical bitterness that is only momentarily cleared when you take the next sip. It's like this beer is engineered to increase your sipping rate. Pine, solvent citrus, and some alcohol are present upon exhalation.

IMO, this is the best widely distributed IPA in California.

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2012 06:38:28 | More by musicman575

Trifecta1

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the Oasis Micro-Pub in Rockford, IL.

A - Hazy amber, about 2 fingers of head with pure white lacing, clinging to the sides of your glass for dear life.

S - Hops big and up front, crisp and clean citrus fruit follows close behind, like fresh-sliced grapefruit. Nice.

T - A hophead's dream. Hoppy bite up front, with strong flavors of grapefruit, orange zest, pineapple, and some maltiness squeaks in amongst it all. Complex, enticing, fantastic.

M - Very drinkable, nice amount of carbonation keeps it light in the mouth, no alcohol burn.

O - One of my favorite IPAs, I'd suggest it to anyone who loves IPAs, an aspiring beer aficionado, or willing to branch out to something new.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2012 03:28:26 | More by Trifecta1

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap at DC Sarnies in a pint glass.

Appearance: My pour has a mostly transparent, filtered burnt golden orange color with a fluffy off-white cap.

Smell: This is pretty much what I think of when I think of a West Coast IPA - candied grapefruit hoppiness, with pine and a bit of other citrus fruit, with the malt falling to the background.

Taste: The flavor starts out with a soft and gentle malt presence that has just a touch of honey sweetness with a bit more of an emphasis on caramel. Grapefruit hops are the most dominant flavor, but even these do not explode out of the glass. Spicy pine provides some further depth and a bitter finish.

Mouthfeel: The carbonation is right in the middle of the spectrum and creamy enough to mostly stay out of the way. A bit of hop residue builds up over the course of a glass, and it has a mostly smooth, if just a little bit grainy, feel to it.

Overall: This truly epitomizes West Coast IPA's, even if the flavors are not quite as explosive as I prefer. Well-made and very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2012 22:28:37 | More by KickInTheChalice