Green Flash Imperial India Pale Ale - Green Flash Brewing Co.

ChBass

Texas

3.85/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on cask at Flying Saucer in Houston.

Beer pours a clear, light golden yellow, with a mass of translucent bubbles that cling to the sides of the glass.

The smell is understated, extremely so for an DIPA. I expected much more floral or bitter hoppy notes.

The taste is light, due mostly to the mouthfeel, with bitterness from the hops hitting the back of the tongue. Definitely don't taste the ABV on this one.

The mouthfeel is very thin and refreshing, but it lacks the body that you'd expect from the best DIPAs. It's not bad, just different and unexpected.

Overall, this is a fine beer, but it's not about to usurp 90 Min or Pliny...

Serving type: cask

04-06-2012 16:57:26 | More by ChBass

zdk9

Texas

3.48/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Tarnished copper with half a finger of head that looks like soap bubbles.

S- Very floral- lavender, caramel. Not a lot of volatile aromas that I can really get a hold on.

T- Prett harsh- not what I expected. A lot of flowery tastes, just like the smell. Some grapefruit pith. Malts taste like whole wheat soft bread crusts. Sweet orange and tangerine candy.

M- Silky and smooth. Light carbonation but I'm enjoying it. Sort of coats the mouth. But still pretty harshly bitter after that coating.

O- I wish it was a little more powerful, especially in the aroma, and a little smoother in the taste. It's rough around the edges.

Serving type: cask

11-18-2011 04:22:18 | More by zdk9

SDtastentune

California

4.63/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - A frothy cask pour, dirty yellow bronze, larger head but expected for a cask. Big lacing.

S - Smells of sweet citrus hops, mixed with that bitter kinda grapefruit smell.

T - Taste was big citrus and bitter grapefruit, kinda creamy and frothy for a GF imperial but great bousy aftertaste! Very good multi-level taste that starts with citrus and mid way is the bitter grapefruit, after is that bousy finish but creamy and not dry.

M - Creamy, balanced aftertaste but mostly bousy and bitter, lower carbonation, perfect for a cask though.

O - Overall I enjoyed this cask, Poured at the taproom SD 8/3/11

Serving type: cask

08-04-2011 03:19:32 | More by SDtastentune

LittleDon

Texas

4.2/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

8 oz draw at the Stone Brewery. Dirty yellow with a very dense white head. The aroma is predominantly grapefruit with grassy undertones. Noticeable alcohol in the upper palate and a bit on the sweet side. Beautiful creamy mouthfeel. Soft finish with some (but not overwhelming) bitterness.

Serving type: cask

12-17-2009 16:07:05 | More by LittleDon

bjacobsen

California

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From a cask at Stone World Bistro into an 8 ox. glass.

A- Medium to light copper color brought to me with no head at all, but hey it's cask. I watched this beer being hand pumped and there is a certain appreciation that goes along with this.

S- Powerful, but sweetly subdued hop aromas that gave way to a faint, but noteworthy, sweet caramel scent.

T- With this being my first IPA or DIPA from a cask, I can really appreciate the complexity, and depth of balance that this has to offer. The hop oil presence was very pronounced, perhaps because there was little carbonation to counter. Definite warmth to this one, and not the room temperature pour. Clean and biting finish with brief bitter-hop aftertaste,

M- Well, this was a first for me. The absence of carbonation threw me off. That said, it was an oily, mouth coating beer that was relatively drinkable despite the DIPA status.

D- Again, pretty drinkable.l I could have enjoyed another of these had they not tempted me with so many other treats that I had yet to try. Not sessionable, however.

Serving type: cask

08-19-2009 04:08:45 | More by bjacobsen

DefenCorps

Oregon

4.4/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Grabbed this at Bierkraft. I was told that this was dry hopped in the cask.

A: Clear with a mild haze and absolutely no head, the pour is a little disappointing. Copper/amber in color.

S: Absolutely awesome hop aroma up front, with plenty of pine, abrasive and fresh. Really is pine juice, this. Some citrus is present as well, with a bright tangerine aroma. Mild mint character is noticeable as well. Excellent. Malt is not really noticeable, this is a treat

T: Opens up beautifully hoppy, with plenty of hop flavor, piney in character. Excellent bitterness as well, the balance between the flavoring and bittering hops is spot on, the way I like it. Hop flavors are as on the nose - pine with some citrus. Mildly spicy in the back, with a little bit of pepper and some mint. Malt? Practically non-existent, this beer is dry, and finishes so, with a gorgeous hop bitterness

M: A little soft of the carbonation, but that doesn't detract much from the rest of this fantastic experience this beer is. Excellent, light body, exceptional finish.

D: Splitting the remains of this growler with a couple of friends, this is hysterically easy to drink

Note: This beer is better than my score indicates, it really is fabulous!

Serving type: cask

04-30-2009 22:55:28 | More by DefenCorps

BBM

New York

3.95/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

On cask at Once & For All in Patchogue NY. Poured out a cloudy golden color with a thin white head. Aroma was very sweet and a bit spicy.

Well, it's obvious Green Flash is going for the balls-to-the-wall Imperial approach with this one, and for the most part it works. Huge citrus hops and pine flavors are counteracted with a super sweet malt backbone. This beer can't help but assault the tastebuds.

Mouthfeel is slightly thick and pleasantly carbonated. Overall this is a kickin' DIPA with a nice bite to it. You already know if you'll like this one or not.

Serving type: cask

04-25-2008 14:37:53 | More by BBM

madmanjf

New York

2.88/5  rDev -29.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

I had this from a cask-conditioned woodpin, day #2 of being opened.

This particular batch was a cloudy apricot color with little to no carbonation. Some slight large bubbles were apparent from the initial pour, but they quickly dissipated to a flat appearance. There was a substantial amount of sediment suspended in the beer which was not dropping to the bottom of the glass. In fairness to the brewery, I will admit the woodpin was disturbed prior to my glass being poured.

The aroma was simply outstanding. It had a sweet hop presence which was citrus in nature; however, I found it to be sweetly unique in that it resembled a pineapple moreso than orange or grapefruit.

The beer had a sweet start with a grapefruit presence in flavor which was quick on the tounge. A Flas (no pun intended) of hops with a bitter finish was also present.

The sensation was initially a watery entrance with a slight effervencent feeling on the toungue. The finish was quite dry.

Overally, I'd have to say this beer is not well balanced. There is no malt presence, and it comes off as being a hop bomb for no specific reason other than to see how hoppy a hop beer can get. I like IPAs, but I did not care for this one or it's non-imperial counterpart (reviewed previously).

I had 1 12oz pour which I could not finish.

Serving type: cask

04-16-2008 23:59:26 | More by madmanjf

mattkoon

South Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

pours with a very thick head- its a golden, buttery color. the smell is very hoppy, pine citrus. the taste is more bitter, and bold than citrus. this is a good solid ipa. i would like a little more citrus- but i am really reaching out on a limb here to find anything wrong with this beer. this is the third beer from green flash that i have had and theyve all been pretty good... this just makes want to try other beers from them.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 03:15:11 | More by mattkoon

Mittsies

California

4.71/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Tried the beer several times on both tap and from the bottle.
Reviewing from the tap:

Golden color with a great head. Some of the best lacing I've seen as far as IPAs go.
When I think of a D-IPA, this is exactly how I picture it.
Walling will stay at the top of a pint glass long after finishing the beverage.

Aroma is almost entirely citrus and pine, very strong tangerine and grapefruit notes.
Pretty typical scent overall, but still very exceptional.

Taste is sour, bitter, hoppy, and very pungent. Sharp and musky.
The taste is borderline overbearing in terms of bitterness.
Very strong dank aftertaste, sort of a "stinky" flavor.
The flavor changes dramatically as it warms up, bringing out more than just the intense hops.
Observing the taste more closely, the hops are complimented with a bit of pine and malt.
Goes great with food as well, as the strong, bitter taste lingers well.

For such a bitter IPA, the mouthfeel is surprisingly light.
Very refreshing, smooth and crispy. Carbonated very well.

One of the best D-IPAs I've had in terms of flavor.
Great on tap or from the bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2013 11:01:44 | More by Mittsies

lordofstarside

Nevada

4.59/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber to a snifter, bottled 3/11/13

Pours a dark gold with orange and brown tints and a single finger of foam. Retention has receded pretty quickly to a thin ring around the sides. Good visibility, lacing, a moderate carbonation. Looks pretty good

Smells of strong fruity hops- pine apple, passion fruit, grapefruit, pine, orange, lemon, and lime. Quite a bouquet of floral and fruity hop notes really dominating everything else. Sweet bready and caramel malts mix with the alcohol to create a good backbone. This is quite complex

Taste isn't quite as prolific as the aroma, but has quite a lot going on. Strong fruity hops up front, grapefruit, pine apple, along with some other citrus. The malt makes the beer pretty sweet that contrasts well with all the hops, but is hidden for the most part itself

Feel is medium bodied and dry. Very bitter but nicely balanced in sweetness, finishes pretty well. Nice bite from the carbonation and well concealed alcohol makes this very easy to drink

Overall this stuff is top shelf. It reminds me a lot of Deschutes Hop Henge, only done vastly better. Very well balanced fruity hop bomb, what's not to love? Glad to get this in Nevada finally

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 00:17:05 | More by lordofstarside

AmitC

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured form a 22 oz bomber into a snifter.

Color is pale golden. Over two fingers thick head of off white color with excellent retention. Very awesome lacing on the sides. A few bubbles seen rising up. Clear but translucent.

Aroma is strong. Very nice herbal and citrus aroma. Strong pine notes. A good malt presence. Excellent touch overall.

Taste is tremendously bitter. Upfront, in the middle and towards the end. Just awesome. Very strong and powerful. Strong grapefruit and citrus presence. A lot of piney flavor. Alcohol warmth. Strong malt and booze.

Mouth feel is medium bodied. Somewhat oily. Low to moderate carbonation. Drinks really easy for a DIPA this bitter.

I am impressed but not surprised.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 22:55:03 | More by AmitC

JaredM

New York

4.13/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Excited about this beer. Served right out of the fridge in a pint glass.

Clear copper look to the beer with a quickly dissipating half finger of head. Steady stream of carbonation. I would have liked to have seen a bit more haze.

Deep, dank abundant aromas of citrus and grapefruit. I'm getting some hints of a sweet peach too which is very refreshing.

Bitter hops, primarily much of what was on the nose. Not overly bitter however and it's fairly well balanced. I'm feeling the 9.4% from this which has to be expected. This is most definitely a sipper and enjoyed over a period of time.

Smooth beer, considering that it's a double. Can feel the presence of the alcohol but it's not overpowering at all.

I strongly recommend this beer to anyone. It's very solid and it has a fantastic flavor and aroma. I'm totally sold on Green Flash. I was impressed with their West Coast IPA I had last week as well. This is very similar to that in smell & taste but is still distinctly its own.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 00:31:39 | More by JaredM

retry4z

California

4.16/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Served cool in a snifter glass.

Looks amazing - a clear copper with red hues. a decent head that calms to a lace quickly.

Smells of hops, sweet flowers, and sweet fruit.

Taste of hops, some sweetness, and a slight bitterness.

Medium consistency that doesn't go down too easily, but it's a good sipping beer.

Overall, it's Green Flash's best beer that's worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 09:21:37 | More by retry4z

rdilauro

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

I have love almost all of the Green Flash beers that I have tasted. This one poured crystal clear with almost no head. There was little aroma in the nose. I almost wasnt sure I was tasting an IPA. I was hoping for more hops

The initial taste left me somewhat disappointed. What I felt the most was a strong alcohol taste. I would not have objected to that if the hops balanced that off to make are better balanced beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 02:44:12 | More by rdilauro

JMScowcroft

Vermont

4.29/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Green Flash Brewing Co. - Green Flash Imperial India Pale Ale

Look - Pours golden with a copper hue, subtle cloudiness. Full, soapy head. Great lacing.

Smell - Malts, honey, caramel, generally sweet. Citrus hops are present but quiet subtle. In terms of the style, the smell was a bit off-putting but I try to give the benefit of the doubt.

Taste - Nice floral citrus hops and malt blend, very smooth and appealing here. True to the aroma but more hops, which is good seeing as how it is a DIPA.

Mouthfeel - Very drinkable, hops rest gently, quite smooth. Lighter than expected. I noticed that as it warms it gets a bit boozier, but it was a welcome, warming booziness that was enjoyable.

Overall - Great brew, unique, would strongly recommend. This brew reminds me somewhat of Dogfish Head 90-minute, but again it is unique so it has significant differences.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 13:22:23 | More by JMScowcroft

deeznuts420

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

poured into a stone nonic pint glass. 2-3 fingers worth of head, poured kinda aggresively. very hazy, probably alot of chill haze i drank it a little too cold at first and let it warm up. golen almost orange color. smells of resinous, earthy, mildy citric hops. all hops almost no malt to speak of. taste is all hops lots of piney notes very bitter, with resinous earthy hops. again hardly any malts. great double ipa and at 9.4 abv it wouldn't take long to get your buzz on and by the end of the third bomber you'd probably be bombed. great highly drinkable brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 12:14:37 | More by deeznuts420

McStagger

California

4.13/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Give this bad boy a shot.

A: Pours a beautifully clear straw. One and a half fingers slight off white head. Dissipates fairly rapidly (thanks 9.4 abv!), moderate lacing. Exceptional clarity. Tiny little bubbles rising to the surface to form the ever disappearing head.

S: A vigorous swirl brings out a massive aroma of malt. Milled grain, and a lot of it. Honey, a yeasty breadiness, some spiciness. The hops aroma is very fruity in nature, with ripe mango and stone fruits dominant.

T: Eat some grapefruit rind. Eat only the rind. Chase that with some rose water and you get an idea on the citrus/floral bitterness involved here. Intense, to say the least.

M: Surprisingly light, considering both the style and the abv. If anything, this beer could use a bit more body.

O: Man, this thing bruises. Started off fairly ugly, but as the beer warmed and aerated, things began to smooth out. A bit one dimensional, this is nonetheless a fine DIPA for those that are inclined to enjoy their beers on the extra bitter side. In the land of DIPA's, this is a fairly average. Still a good beer, nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 08:01:51 | More by McStagger

stephens101

Oklahoma

4.56/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The combustible tan head of this golden orange brew tops out well above the rim but never spills over, unlike the floating oily, herbal hop aroma that gives way to some lime, orange and cotton candy sweetness. Citrusy and malty to the tongue with more smooth, oily hops at the back. Well-blended alcohol with just a bit of heat in the back. One of the most enjoyable and relaxed DIPA's I've ever tried.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 23:48:17 | More by stephens101

Ultra-Plinian

Connecticut

3.9/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Dark Gold really looks awesome, very inviting.

S: Floral and Citrus, slight pine

T: Not as bitter as I was hoping for at 100+ IBUs. Hides the alcohol very nicely.

M: Slight carbonation, no heat and a full round mouthfeel.

O: Good beer that I will enjoy again in the future.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 18:40:21 | More by Ultra-Plinian

estlinska

Arkansas

4.31/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bomber to a shaker (bottled on 1/14/13). Pours a pale, but rusty reddish color allowing a lot of light through. Topped with puffs of bright white head that falls to small islands in the beer with lots of thick lacing. Nose of sweet and thick hops like an orange or lemon rind. Taste follows suit with lots of citrusy hops that have a lot of strong bittering, very stereotypical of a good west coast IPA. Dry finish with a little alcohol burn, but not really demanding on the palate. Little bit of a spritz to it as well. Overall, this is a very good DIIPA, which I come to expect out of pretty much anything made in San Diego.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 02:10:18 | More by estlinska

MisSigsFan

California

4.35/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a tall mug. Pours a light golden yellow with a nice thick head. Smells of pine and a bit of alcohol. Taste is mostly the same. Pine dominates this beer, with citrusy notes and a slightly sweet undertone. The alcohol is masked perfectly as well. This IPA is a 9.4 ABV but drinks like a session ale. Unbelievable flavor and character. Mouth is extremely smooth as well. So crisp and refreshing. Not too heavy and not too light. You can't call yourself a true hophead without trying this. You will fall in love from the very first sip.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 07:20:02 | More by MisSigsFan

Hoptimus-Prime

North Carolina

4.29/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours a cloudy yellow/ orange with a thick white head, dissipates fairly quickly.

Smells rather malty with notes of citrusy hops and alcohol comming through .

The taste is quite enjoyable, good balance of hops and malts, the abv is hidden quite well. Plenty of citrus in the mix as well.

Mouthfeel is dry, still a ton of carbonation. The citrus and hop tastes lingers on the palate.

Pretty good beer over all, I would absolutely by this again, but would opt for the palate wrecker when it is available. Another good brew from Green Flash!

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 23:26:25 | More by Hoptimus-Prime

drrone

Arizona

3.83/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5

A - golden yellow, slightly hazy, nice head that is about half a finger width. Nice, prominent lacing.

S - Definite pine and citrus, with subtle hops. Was expecting more hops.

T - Nice taste. A little more bitter/sour than I would have expected. Light on the hops. It has a nice honey taste to it that grows as you drink it. Quite nice.

M - Smooth, not heavy. Decent carbonation.

O- Not a bad beer, but I was expecting better. I would buy it again though.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 18:23:22 | More by drrone

MaddMatt639

3.8/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tasted on January 13, 2013:

A: Pours a chestnut color. Has a good lacing and has close to an inch of foam. Foam stays for awhile.

S: Strong smell of citrus and pine. Don't smell much else. Hops are smelt in there too.

T: Very hoppy in the beginning, but not overly hoppy. Slightly sweet in the end with very strong pine notes.

M: Medium heaviness on the tongue. Still can taste the pine.

O: Not as hoppy as I was expecting for an Imperial, but still quite enjoyable. I enjoyed the taste of pine.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 08:36:00 | More by MaddMatt639