Green Flash Palate Wrecker - Green Flash Brewing Co.

Roman5150

Michigan

4.48/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

bottle purchased from Total Beverages in Murfreesboro, TN

appearance: very beautiful amber, 2 finger white head that dissapears quickly

smell: piney, resiny, earthy, citrusy, less grapefruit than other IPAs, more hops, hops, and more hops. this is a great smelling beer.

taste: very hoppy, in the same class as hop stoopid and ruination, this is surely a "palate wrecker". very bitter earthy finish, somewhat dry, but resolves nicely with a fruity satisfaction. Very refreshing, also some notes of grapefruit, not very much malt in this one.

mouthfeel: perfect carbonation, very smooth

overall: I'd have to do some side by side tests to compare this with Ruination and Hop Stoopid, but this is equal if not the winner for the hoppiest beer i've tried. It's so bitter, yet so damn tasty and refreshing. Give this to a non hop head and they will give you the "o" face like they just took a shot of bourbon. I bought the last 4 pack of the year at my local store, I will be buying more next year.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 08:32:44 | More by Roman5150

BrianJohnson

South Carolina

4.59/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Nice orange coloring, fairly clear, good off-white two finger head with nice lacing
Smell: Piny, citrusy, some hints of grapefruit
Taste: Very hoppy, but with a slight sweetness underneath. The hop bitterness dissipates rather quickly.
Mouthfeel: Feels almost thinner than I'd like. Lacks the thick malt backbone. Has more backbone than Harpoon Leviathan but less than DFH 90-Minute.
Overall: I like it very much and will definitely buy again.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 22:38:22 | More by BrianJohnson

dheacck11

Connecticut

4.26/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

From the bottle.

Pour is a honey golden amber with a finger of white soft head which recedes rapidly. Small amount of lacing.

Nose is citrus and sweet, with some lemon, grapefruit, honey and soft piney hops.

Taste is a quick burst of grapefruit and other citrus up front, quickly smashed into oblivion by massive, dry, bitter, woody and green hops. Really just gigantic.

Mouth feel is medium but a little thinner than the hops really want. Leaves a nice resiny coat in your mouth though.

A great Imperial IPA. Especially if you love west coast hoppiness. I like it, although I generally prefer more of a floral and citrus component to my hops. Still really nice.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 00:08:50 | More by dheacck11

MisSigsFan

California

4.4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Pours a cloudy golden color with no head. Smell is of piney resin and a bit of booze. Taste is citrusy with a lot of piney resin and bitterness. The alcohol is covered up really well but still has a nice sting at the end. Mouth is quite smooth and medium bodied. Slightly above average carbonation. Very crisp and refreshing. Overall, I love this brew. You usually don't get this type of pine smell or taste in a beer. Usually it's more of a pine needle taste, but in this it's more like the resin from the tree. I was actually expecting this to be way more bitter than it is, but I think they basically reached the point where it's so bitter that it doesn't really seem bitter. This is definitely one of my favorite IPAs. I'm not sure if I like this or the Imperial IPA they make more. I guess this would be more for a hophead, while the Imperial is less bitter but has a lot more in the way of character.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 06:37:35 | More by MisSigsFan

Pencible

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: This poured a clear gold with lots of off white head.
S: It smelled like tons of grapefruit, with some candied apricot.
T: It tasted like sweet honey and bitter grapefruit, with some citrus zest and waxy hops. It had a clean aftertaste that was more bitter than the start. Woo!
M: It was thick with a little carbonation. Great full body.
D: This was a great IPA. The scent and taste were delicious. The body was amazing, but the finish was harsh with all the intense bitterness, so it was not easy to drink. I'd say this beer met its objective. Very nice brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 02:21:14 | More by Pencible

McStagger

California

4.3/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Poured for a 22 oz bomber. Brewed on 1/8/13. Well, let's see how it stood up.

A: Pours a nice, transparent orange copper. Stellar clarity. Moderate carbonation. One finger off khaki head. Good retention for the style,. Good lacing as well.

S: Doesn't smell like we've lost too much here. A bit malt heavy, with husky grain and bits of cooking spice. Still a serious pined hop edge though. Evergreen needles are dominant. As the beer warms a bit, touches of citrus and an almost herbal edge make themselves known.

T: Hot damn, this is bitter. Seriously bitter. Lot of alcohol warmth in the finish. Lacking the massive malt sweetness of so, so many DIPA's. The hops are leafy, almost vegetal, with a lot of bruised herb (rosemary) thrown into the mix. The fruity notes are subdued, but there are bits of citrus and tropical. The finish is incredibly dry and oh so bitter. Aftertaste of bitter citrus peel.

M: Very lean and very dry for a DIPA. While I wouldn't necessarily call it crisp, both the malt and the alcohol are exceptionally well hidden in the mouthfeel. It's ALMOST refreshing.

O: One of the better DIPA's I've had, and this beer is three months old. I would absolutely love to try this one fresh.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 07:18:39 | More by McStagger

Bauzen

New York

4.4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This was recommended by a friend. He described it as a "Hearty but dry IPA" and promised me I'd enjoy it.

I really did enjoy it.

Beautiful light copper in color, and aroma reflects fruitiness in the hops.

Phenomenal balance and restraint is exhibited in this beer. Well-chosen hops, and masterful brewing on full display. Green Flash could easily have wrecked this beer by making it stronger or more intense, but they didn't.

The flavor tends to linger on your palate, like the name implies. It's an excellent choice if you aren't pairing this beer with anything. It can stand alone as an 'enjoy me all by myself' beer.

Best way I can describe it is a refined, balanced version of Hop Stoopid from Lagunitas. If you like that beer, you'll LOVE this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 00:38:54 | More by Bauzen

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.95/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured two fingers of head on a hazy, medium straw colored body.
The aroma is amazing: bold grapefruit and pine with some lemon and honey in the background.
The taste is big and bold. Lemon and pine bitterness with a balanced malt profile. The alcohol is well hidden.
A fairly smooth texture with moderate carbonation.
A great double with nice drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 01:32:51 | More by Fatehunter

GoodBeerTire

Georgia

4.66/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

As high as the IBU numbers that this IPA has, I expected this to truly wreck my palate, but instead it wasn't quite so harsh. The malt backbone of this beer was enough to counteract the massive amount of hoppiness (or should I say happiness) that this ale provides. I apologize for not using the Beer Advocate form of rating, and rather just ramble about my tasting, but it tasted damn good. Not for those who can't handle the hops,but it you are a hop-head, go for it. Very similar to Lagunitas Hop Stupid, but a little more refined, as the malt backbone is a little heavier.
Not a beer to session with, as it is pretty strong, and it will "wreck the palate".

Serving type: growler

04-08-2013 23:38:44 | More by GoodBeerTire

TheSixthRing

California

4.2/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on-tap at Capitol Beer in Sacramento, CA

Appearance - Clear and golden orange in color, served to me in a snifter with an off-white, half finger head sitting on top. Fair retention, leaving a ring of microbubbles clinging to the side of the glass. Fair lacing with good stick.

Smell - Pungent hop aroma. Big tropical notes: sweet candied mango, pineapple, apricot and orange, all backed by a moderate pine character.

Taste - Follows the nose. An assault of hop, strengthened by a lightly toasted bread malt backbone. Tropical sweetness. Moderate pine dank, then a grapefruit pith bitter finish.

Mouthfeel - Close to full body, slightly sticky in fact, with fair carbonation. Smooth, easy finish.

Overall - A mighty fine TIPA here. Classic West Coast Imperial IPA profile. I wouldn't mind giving this one another go, and I'd invite anyone who loves their IPA's do the same!

Serving type: on-tap

04-08-2013 01:35:01 | More by TheSixthRing

Thads324

Connecticut

4.08/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle.
Pours a completely clear deep golden color. Pillows of right white bubbly head that dissipates very slowly. Good lacing
Smells of a bit of pine, grass, tangerine and musky earth at the tail end. A hair of husk, plain grains and corn. Mild and nice

Taste is bigger than the aroma. The hops are well balanced. Starting with citrus and leafy green bitterness. A good bitterness is carried by grainy and basic sweet malts. Sharp bitterness and pine towards the end, along with more tropical fruit and heavy citrus rinds.
Higher end of medium bodied, bitter, good clean finish

A clean, good drinking dipa with a solid balance of malt and varying levels of flavorful hops. A very fine brew

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 21:18:22 | More by Thads324

GilGarp

Colorado

4.29/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Bottled on 12/17/12.

12 oz bottle served cold into a pint glass.

Palate Wrecker is a slightly hazy amber orange color. It has thick rocky white head that leaves some nice lacing behind.

Aroma is very hoppy and surprisingly fresh smelling despite having nearly four months on it. Nice citrusy west coast hoppy goodness with grapefruit and other citrus rind.

Flavor is similarly bold and, as the name suggests, is totally mouth puckeringly bitter. There is a fair bit of malt that tries to stand up to the hops but eventually fails. A mild beer drinker's nightmare, a hop heads dream.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and nicely carbonated. It has no balance but that was probably never the goal anyway.

Overall a very good double IPA and one worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 04:08:38 | More by GilGarp

JMScowcroft

Vermont

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

Green Flash Brewing Co. - Palate Wrecker - 1pt 6fl oz bottle

Look - Pours golden amber/copper with a small fizzy head. Good lacing. Minimal carbonation.

Smell - Citrus and pine hops, sweet caramel malt, smooth mix, mouthwatering.

Taste - Snappy, turns smooth, followed by two hoppy waves, pine and then citrus.

Mouthfeel - Sits heavy and earrthy, decent drinkability. The mouthfeel was not the best aspect of this brew. It really does wreck your palate, but it was not in a good way for me.

Overall - Great brew, a bit raw on the palate (as advertised) but not quite what I expected. I would recommend trying though as taste is subjective.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 12:06:45 | More by JMScowcroft

da_beers

Vermont

4.06/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

@jmscowcroft brought a bomber over to share and review, we have been looking forward to this one for awhile. He found this hiding behind a different beer at the local shop.
A - coppery golden pour, minimal head that dissipates quickly. Had decent lacing, was bottled in Jan of this year.
S - Huge hop smell! Earthy notes abundant. Pines and citrus notes come thru at the end, hits with a malty sweetness as well.
T - very light sweet malt taste. Citrus at the end. Hops are obviously abundant here, massive blast. The earthiness lasts thru the end.
M - very smooth and almost velvety. Light/moderate carbonation. Has a crisp finish.
D - "Palate Wrecker" is an appropriate. Not a sessionable ale for sure. Wouldn't want multiples of this one.
O - overall enjoyed this hop bomb. Drinkibility is the low point for me, but the complexity is great. I would recommend if you haven't tried and love IPAs!

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 01:41:14 | More by da_beers

LtCracker20

Connecticut

4.04/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A- Pours a clear golden copper body with a 3-finger off white head that falls to about a 1/2 inch cap. Some good sticky lace.

S- A little sweetness comes through first, but it's quickly followed by piney and citrusy hop aroma. The caramel sweetness comes back through towards the end again. Not getting any kind of booziness though, which is good. Just a little too sweet on the nose.

T- Good resiny hop flavor...Nice and sticky. Pine comes through first, then some grapefruit flavors. There's still some sweetness there. I know it's a DIPA, but I would've liked a little less sweetness. Still very good.

MF- Almost a full body on this, still pretty thick. Carbonation levels are right for me. Flavor's like a slick sheet of oil on the tongue. Flavors seem to last a while.

O- A very good beer. I was expecting even more of a hop bomb, but it is very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 23:06:37 | More by LtCracker20

Gmanofleisure

New York

4.36/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served in a pint glass at Pizza Plant in Buffalo, NY. Had the opportunity to compare to some other IPA's which I really like...surprisingly this was my favorite of the night.

Appearance: Amber color. Sufficient head.

Smell: GRAPEFRUIT. And yes, I meant to to leave caps lock on. Hoppy as well.

Taste: Hops. The name says it all. Citrus flavors, and a wicked bitter aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Good carbonation. Well balanced body.

Overall: Huge IPA. Put together nicely though. Other than the extreme hop taste, which I expected, everything balanced out. Need to find more in Buffalo!

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2013 03:28:20 | More by Gmanofleisure

cmp26

California

4.79/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

this is a great beer its a little spendy but worth it.i poured 2 in to my 32oz mug and after finishing had a nice buzz and was ready for bed after the 4th. this is a really strong hoppy beer with a creamy head aromatic head.i wish they would make it in six packs 4 beers is enough but your always left with that feeling of wanting more. i highly recomend trying this delicious brew

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 04:16:10 | More by cmp26

JohnGalt1

Idaho

3.96/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Small bottle picked up tonight at the COOP for about $3... Poured into my HotD tulip... Long lasting white head with fantastic lacing atop a clear light orange brew.

Huge resinous hoppiness coats the nose hairs. Piney with some tropical fruit notes... Very west coast.

Huge grapefruit on the palate with a little bit lesser pine.... just enough pale maltiness to deliver the hops... pretty damn bitter.

Super stoked we are getting Green Flash into Boise.

4.25/3.75/4/4/4

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 03:42:18 | More by JohnGalt1

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.81/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

On draft at Churchkey in D.C.

The beer is light golden and clear with a soft white head. The aroma brings a potent dose of hops, light citrus and pine, and alcohol. Upon my first sip I decided this beer is aptly named. Massive hop character does indeed assault the palate. Alcohol presence is rather forward, and steers me clear of a second helping. This is decent, with some nice things happening, but I prefer a more elegant showcase for the hops, instead of being bombarded with an intensely hoppy alcohol bomb. Personal preference perhaps, but I feel this is middle of the road (or a slight step above) for a DIPA today.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2013 21:48:46 | More by Huhzubendah

SaCkErZ9

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This one pours from a 22oz bottle into an imperial pint glass. Emerges clear and bronze in color with a stark white colored head. Loads of lacing, head retention, the works. Two finger sized head recedes very slowly into a quarter inch froth atop the beverage.

This one is also a nose wrecker. Full of delicious hop goodness in the nose. Even with allergies, this one takes my nose and squeezes all aromas into its cilia. Piney and citrusy and delicious. There is also a nice bit of maltiness to back up the hoppiness, and some sweet alcohol presents itself nicely as well. Smells extremely fresh, like fresh hop cones.

Killer flavor as well. Very well balanced. I generally like beers that lean more toward hoppy than malty (balanced) but this one seems to marry the two quite well. There is still a prevailing hop bitterness and flavor, but the malt and alcohol combat that nicely and offer a semi balanced beer. ( As the beer warms slightly, the balance leaves the table and Mr. hoppy takes his rightful seat at the head). Quite bitter, very tasty.

The hops linger for a long time on the palate, and as this one warms, the hops slaps the palate and call it it's bitch. Very long, bitter finish with just the right amount of oiliness and lemon rind.

A bitter beer for sure, and a delicious one. As balanced as an overly hoppy beer can be for sure. The bitterness will certainly drive some away, but I dig it man. A great beer!

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 21:34:36 | More by SaCkErZ9

flablaze

Florida

4.44/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a standard pub glass. Appearance was a light copper with slightly noticeable haziness. Nice white head, 1 finger width. Moderate lacing on the glass.

Sniff test indicated obvious notes of citrus and pine. Aroma hung heavy, which I did enjoy. Definitely enhanced the experience.

Taste indicated much of what I smelled, but the hops were somewhat subdued by an obvious maltiness. Some would call this balance, but when I drink an IPA I am looking for hop quality.

This brew presented fairly heavy mouthfeel, which I found to be pleasing. There was a definite aftertaste...as if my mouth was coated in resin. This was not unpleasant, but I definitely needed a palate cleansing before sampling the next brew.

Good IPA? Absolutely. Great IPA? Arguable. When compared with other beers of the same style, the price is a deal breaker. At $14.99 for a pack of 4, it is hard to justify with so many quality IPAs available.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 05:01:52 | More by flablaze

Hendry

Vermont

4.15/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

"Vinnie, don't put too many onions in the sauce!" Reading reviews before getting the opportunity to try a particular beer can be enlightening. Having felt the Green Flash West Coast IPA was pretty average, a friend recommended Palate Wrecker and gave me one to try.

The nose on this ale is really pleasing and inviting, hops abound for sure,plenty of grapefruit and other tropical tones. The pour was a pretty clear deep orange with about an inch of foamy white head. The aroma is a big feature here.

Flavor wise, this is a hoppy brew that rests heavily on the palate and has a savory character to it. Mouthfeel is medium to heavy and halfway through, it becomes quite rich and not suited to chugging: this is a slow drinker. It really does have a savory onion quality to the aftertaste despite the citrus aroma from the hops. Some claim they can smell the onion in the aroma, but that isn't what I took away from it, so the flavors were deceptive to me given the attractiveness of the nose (I was expecting a sweeter aftertaste I guess).

The aftertaste is not displeasing as the brew is quite hoppy and peppy. I can appreciate the variation from the typical citrus bomb, and cannot knock it for that, but the flavor is not one I prefer to have in the rotation despite the interesting character, and quality ingredients. A couple of my friends really dig PW, and I respect their opinions, but at $14 a 4 pack not likely one I will reach for any time soon with all the choices out there.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 03:49:16 | More by Hendry

clayrock81

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured a cloudy orage with great head and lace on top of a strong piney, citric hop aroma that has little sweetness to it. Taste is more of the as I thoroughly enjoyed the strong citric, piney hop character and it is balanced, which I found odd as for a DIPA that is smooth, relatively speaking, to drink and not a total tastebud killer I find that I can't really pick out any discernable malt presence. Finish is very crisp and strong thanks to carbonation and ABV although not a bleeder. This is a beer I really enjoyed yet one was enough for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 13:30:07 | More by clayrock81

YardmanFTB

Maryland

4.56/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is beer is for extreme hop-heads only. The maltiness and high gravity of the beer mask some of the extreme bitterness from so many hops in the boil. At 9.5% it is an intense experience. I really enjoy this one, but I like hops more than the average drinker.

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2013 03:04:25 | More by YardmanFTB

yamar68

Minnesota

4.28/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Thanks to mnphish for the pour!

Pours a glowing copper gold with a slim and soapy cap of off-white carbonation.

Pungent conifer, mango and sweet citrus. Smells beautiful. So far so good.

Hops all up in my grill... definitely too hoppy to butt chug but I totally would if I could.

Delicious, even if it's exclusively a mouth drinker.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 20:58:30 | More by yamar68