Green Flash Palate Wrecker - Green Flash Brewing Co.

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This poured out as a nice looking copper color with a foamy thick white head on top. the smell of this beer was hoppy, lots of piney citrus with some grapefruit notes in there too. The taste of the beer got a little better as it warmed up but wasn't quite what I was hoping for in the beer. The mouthfeel was well carbonated, medium bodied and a little oily. Overall this beer was good, it's bound to please just about any hop head out there but I feel that I've had much better IIPA's.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2012 02:57:41 | More by Knapp85

VaTechHopHead

California

3.23/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass, couldn't find a bottling date/code

A - Deep orange/light brown and crystal clear. Quick fading head and little lacing.

S - Semi-fresh hops but a nice Earthy and floral aroma. Quite fragrant but not too over the top like many beers of this style.

T - Mirrors the aroma with semi-fresh hops that are sticky, taste of pine, sap and fresh cut flowers. Flavor sticks to the palate well and has a chewy feel to it. Aftertaste is very Earthy and piney and lasts.

M/O - Medium body that is well carbonated and nice viscosity. Easy to drink but not a sipper. The floral taste lingers for a while. Overall I was honestly expecting more but I prefer the West Coast IPA over this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2012 00:00:12 | More by VaTechHopHead

russwbeck

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer pours out of the bottle a nice orange brown color with a billowing white head. Fluffy and thick, the head lasts forever and coats the side of my glass.

S: A big citrus aroma attacks the nostrils as you delve your nose into this one. It almost smells like you're holding a fresh hop in your hand. There is some light malt coming out as well. Hop bomb all the way, but nicely thought out.

T: I have to say this is pretty good. The hop resins really hang out on the back of the mouth as the citrus and grapefruit rules the taste. Bitter and piney, the hops provide a nice secondary taste to the fruits. This is a well executed beer, and the results live up to its name. You won't be able to taste much else for the rest of the night! (Not that that's a bad thing)

MF: The body is so light and crisp I can't believe how much flavor it has. The dry finish puts the cap on a wonderful beer that is just so easy to drink.

O: I enjoyed this even more than I did when I had it on-tap. Just a really outstanding Imperial IPA. Hope Green Flash keeps making this bad boy. Sit back, pop the bottle open, and relax. Perfect IPA for enjoying the warm weather.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2012 01:18:10 | More by russwbeck

nimrod979

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bomber poured into a tulip glass.

Appearance - Glowing bright orange with a thick pillowy white head. Long retention and moderate lacing going on.

Aroma - Very inviting. Lots of tropical fruits, mango, grapefruit, orange citrusy hops to go with some dank piney resin. Hint of malts.

Taste - The citrus aroma doesn't carry much to the flavor. Mostly bitter, piney resin hops. Quick hint of malts for some balance and sweetness before being overtaken by a bone dry bitter finish. The citrus notes surface a little more towards the end.

Mouthfeel - Smooth, creamy, oily mouthfeel. Medium bodied. Medium carbonation. Exceedingly long bitter hoppy finish.

Pretty good hop bomb, This beer has a lot of hype around it but I've had better DIPA's. Still a solid brew. I'd get it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 21:52:46 | More by nimrod979

duceswild

Maryland

3.88/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Received in a trade from whatsarezaf.

Live review:
12oz bottle pours a nice golden orange with about a half finger of head. Upon opening the bottle you can smell the hops. I knew to expect a lot of hops, but WOW.

During drinking it leaves a Leaves a good lacing throughout the glass. Taste is of hops and pine. Even at 9.5% I don't get a lot of alcohol taste from this beer.

Not sure that I could correctly taste a beer properly after this one as it is a palate wrecker for sure.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 21:22:55 | More by duceswild

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Golden orange, but hard to tell in this light. Not much head, but the ring is sturdy. 3.5

Pine and grapefruit in the nose. Smidge of orange rind. Some booze and toasted malts. Not as impressive as I'd have liked. 4.0

Huge bitterness. Loads of pine, grapefruit, and alcohol. A hot and hop bitter Imperial IPA. Has a green grass note with a hint of vanilla. Hardly a noticable malt character. Not far from alcoholic hop juice. Interesting. 4.0

Balanced. Maybe a little thin-bodied. Still mentioning the heat here. 4.0

I like this enough. It's just crazy. A palate wrecker for sure. Obscene bitterness. For hopheads and crazy people, alike. 4.0

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2012 03:49:15 | More by thecheapies

ArrogantB

Colorado

3.58/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle from a four pack that cost $12. I was excited to try this and while it was a decent DIPA it just really wasn't my bag. Nice orange color, thick head, thick lacing. Smells like a bit of pine, strong hops which I like but I wasn't quite wowed. The flavor is extremely bitter but also has a strong caramel flavor from the malts. Kind of sweet too which I did not care for. Overall, above average but I won't be buying any more.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 00:28:30 | More by ArrogantB

Amalak

New York

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

A. It has a beautifully thick, off-white foamy head. Streams of small bubbles running up the side. Good lacing. Copper color. Semi-opaque.

S. Has a weed-like scent to it.

T. Very, very intense bitter bite that almost has an electric shock effect. Quite unique. Has a rye-ish undertone. Someone said it has a pine-like hoppiness, and I would have to agree. A slight sweetness of caramel.

M. Very odd (but good) taste in back of the mouth. That's probably the pine. The aftertaste lingers for a while.

O. Very unique and interesting. The taste is vastly different from when it first hits the palate to the aftertaste that comes at the end. Complex.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 19:21:16 | More by Amalak

nrbw23

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours a dark golden amber color with a off white head. Head has good retention and leaves some solid lacing.

S- A pretty strong smell here. Quite a bit of tropical fruits and pine leading the way. Pretty much a hop bomb and I'm not really picking up any malts.

T - I'm digging this one at the first sip. Quite a bit of hops here a lot of tropical fruits and pine. Not really picking up any malts.

M- Medium in body with a good amount of carbonation.

O- If you're a hop head this one's for you. I really enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 09:33:18 | More by nrbw23

Teleweizen2

New Jersey

3.28/5  rDev -21.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - pours a hazy light orange with some yellow highlights towards the bottom of the glass. Only a sliver of white foam yet leaves some spotty lacing from swirling.

S - strong and interesting aroma. Very dank. Lots of candied orange peel, pine needles and green leaves. Hints of tropical fruit as well such as pineapple and possibly even some bananna peel.

T - sweet caramel notes up front. The crisp hop bitterness comes quickly and melds with the sweet notes for a very intense candied orange peel flavor. Sweet and bitter notes mingle and consume the palate well past the finish.

M - medium bodied. Creamy texture. Carbonation is mediumand.very crisp.

O - personally I felt this was a bit too sweet and not quite balanced. Yet an interesting DIPA overall.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 04:56:45 | More by Teleweizen2

srandycarter

California

4.3/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Somewhat murky dark apricot, big white head, tons of cling. Looking good.

S - Nice malt center but completely dominated by citrus and pine.

T - Nice. Meat thick caramel center splashed heavily with hop juice.

M - Medium to heavy body, great carb and balance.

D - I really like this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 04:24:32 | More by srandycarter

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

4.23/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle served in a snifter.

L - lightly hazed blazing copper color with a white head that thinned to a ring of bubbles leaving a delicate coating of lacing behind.

S - burst of citrus fruit mix.

T - biting grapefruit rind bitterness lets just a hint or two of sweetness show up before going tart, dry and bitter on the finish, a very nice drink here.

F - medium bodied with a tart but enjoyable feel.

O - one of the better tasting Dub/Imp IPA's around.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2012 23:48:26 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 ounce bottle. Served in a snifter, the beer pours a cloudy amber/orange color with an inch off-white frothy head that sticks around for a long time. There's also a good amount of lacing. The brew smells mostly like citrusy (tangerine, orange, grapefruit) and pine hops, and a bit of caramel malt. However, I don't pick up quite as much citrus in the taste (as compared to the aroma). Mostly I taste a lot of bitter pine hops, along with some citrusy hops (mango, grapefruit) and a little caramel malt. There's a good lingering bitter hoppy finish. Mouthfeel/body is medium/full, it's lick and creamy with good carbonation. Overall I think this is a good brew and I'd buy it again in the future. $8.99 a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2012 21:38:42 | More by bluejacket74

Hophead717

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

A: Deep, golden brown, with a foamy one-finger head that hangs around. A very pretty beer.

S: Equal parts orange citrus and fresh hops. Light, but serious. Some light caramel underneath, hinting that the beer might be more balanced than the name would imply.

T: Strong citrus hops upfront, namely grapefruit and light tangerine, with the most fleeting moment of caramel malt, before an all-out onslaught of bitterness from the hops hits the tongue. I love the intense bitterness, but the flavor in the finish is a bit sub-par for an ipa. Fine overall, but the finish is a letdown.

M: Smooth, medium-bodied, well-carbonated. Excellent mouthfeel.

O: Great, except for the overly bitter finish. Overall, a good beer, but not the best.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2012 00:34:11 | More by Hophead717

Darkmagus82

Montana

4.13/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into snifter

Appearance – Pours a deep amber color with hints of deep orange and some red. Upon pouring a nice just off white head forms on the brew. It has a decent amount of persistence before fading to give a nice level of lacing.

Smell –Pine is huge, dominating the aroma. There are slighter aromas of a breadiness as well as some light citrus and woody aromas.

Taste – This is one bitter pine hopped brew throughout. There are transitions however, in the intensity of the bitter pine hop flavor. At the start of the taste, the bitter pine is more mild (at least comparatively to the end of the taste) and there is a little bit of sweeter citrus (tangerine and orange). Toward the middle it becomes a bit more bready in body with the sweetness fading and the bitter pine getting even stronger. At the end the bitter really takes hold and leaves an intense bitterness on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – Smooth and creamy with the carbonation is on the lighter side. These characteristic really accentuate the bitter pine flavor giving the tongue some wicked intense flavors.

Overall – This was a bitter pine IPA if I have ever had one. With its intense nature, its potent flavors overload the bitter taste buds on the tongue. A bitter IPA’s lover’s kind of beer, and one I actually found quite pleasurable (even though I would consider myself a sweeter IPA kind of guy).

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2012 23:16:24 | More by Darkmagus82

david18

New York

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

I had a couple of glasses of this at the Public House in Las Vegas. I've had many Green Flash beers including the IPA and Double IPA many times but have tasted nothing like this before. This was the most bitter double IPA I think I've every had, except may the Hopsickle.

The appearance was typical of the style; straw colored, hazy, good carbonation.

The aroma was highly hoppy with lots of pine and citrus. Very unbalanced but in a good way. The ultimate hophead beer.

Flavor as well was very, very bitter and a true palate wrecker. Typically I don't like unbalanced beers but this was so well made otherwise that it was great.

Definitely get this if you find it but don't expect to be able to taste anything afterwards.

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2012 19:33:52 | More by david18

dbmernin83

California

4.33/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This one lives up to the name. Huge piney hops, big mint, some citrus. Malt whispers but hops just beat it back down. Booze is there but not in the way. Medium plus on the body, good carbonation. Hops linger for days. This one numbs the tongue. A must for hopheads.

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2012 09:09:06 | More by dbmernin83

sukwonee

Washington

3.2/5  rDev -23.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

A: Looks great. Lots of lacing, 2 finger head, burnt orange color.

S: Very typical west coast DIPA smell. Piney, grapefruit, citrus, but I smell some onion?

T: Man... too much hops... it does wreck my palate... (in a not-very-flattering manner). Not a fan of how this beer tastes. Yucky after taste too.

M: Good amount of carbonation, medium thickness.

O: man... this beer doesn't taste very good. I love hoppy beers, but man... this isn't good much at all. It's painful as you're swallowing it. Give it a try, but I bet you won't keep seeking for this (like me).

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2012 05:48:45 | More by sukwonee

ucsbmullet

Colorado

4.03/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz bomber.

Super-hop bomb. One of the hoppier beers I've had.

A medium color gold. Two finger head upon first pour.

Pine on the nose. Pine on the tongue. This DIPAs more bitter than sweet.

Not my favorite DIPA but drinkable. If you like your IPAs on the bitter side, this one is for you. Not much grapefruit notes if any.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2012 01:52:11 | More by ucsbmullet

Momar42

Maryland

3.93/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a New Belgium Globe

A - pours a somewhat cloudy, deep orange color. Decently thick head is generated from a vigorous pour. Head is about a finger and a half of creamy off-white/yellowish colored foam. Fair amount of light lacing down the glass.

S - piney overtones with a hint of citrus at the back. There is a slight sweetness detectable with maybe a touch of alcohol on the nose.

T - once again, just as it smells...Piney. With the first sip of this pine tree there is a healthy dose of bitterness that dazzles the tongue. There is a creaminess that attempts to balance it, but the bitterness triumphs with every sip. Less intense but still evident is the sense of alcohol.

M - moderately thick mouthfeel that has a long finish.

O - all in all a pretty solid, yet underwhelming IIPA that hits alot of the normal areas but doesn't standout in any of them. The hop bite and burn is nice but the alcohol could be better blended. Also the overall taste lacks something yet seems to linger too long. Nice possibilities but just misses in too many areas. Wouldn't turn one down in the future but don't think I'll seek it out in the future.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2012 01:47:46 | More by Momar42

BeerBuckeye

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a darker orange/amber color, very clear, with 1 finger puffy white head.

S - Full nose of grapefruit and piney hops. A bit of sweetness in the backbone of this, but just a great smelling, hoppy beer.

T - Man, that's some hops! The taste starts out very bitter before fading into a bit of fruity sweetness. Grapefruits and citrus. Finishes with another kick of resiny hop.

M - Quite dry, leaves the mouth a bit dry as well. But still rather smooth.

Overall - Delicious beer. For severe hop lovers for sure.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2012 20:14:23 | More by BeerBuckeye

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into a tulip glass.

Pours a clear copper, topped with a thick finger of off-white head. This maintains a frothy ½ finger, ringing the sides of the glass with sticky lacing. The aroma is floral, piney, herbal, and spicy in the nose, with a zesty feeling grapefruit presence and notes of fresh backed biscuits from the malts across the back. This has some nice hoppy power to it in the nostrils.

The taste starts off with a bold hoppy blast of grapefruit, resins, and spice, which lingers hard on the finish. Soft herbal tones, light tropical fruit, and tight sweet grains help to balance out some of the aggressiveness out here but man, that spice and pine sticks to the tongue with some strength. The mouthfeel is fuller bodied and really fills the mouth with a big slick oily creaminess that moves rather easily for the size. There is a bit of light crispness to this, while the alcohol, although not stinging, does really pop the assertiveness of these hops.

My previous experience with this beer had been on cask during a visit to San Diego and I have to say that I really enjoyed this more here out of the bottle. I still feel that it’s a little too big overall but the fresh hoppy power of this wins out in the end, helping cover up the high ABV. This is a nice representation of the West Coast style.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2012 19:30:18 | More by Kegatron

rfgetz

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a nice golden orange, solid cap of dense white foam, good retention and lacing. Huge notes of tropical, citrus and floral hops - grapefruit, orange, mango and light pineapple, moderately sweet malt base stands up nicely to the hops but dont interfere in the bouquet. Taste brings juicy and fruity hops with a little more earthiness, malt is lightly sweet and notable in the taste and play with the hops nicely. Fuller side of medium bodied, oily creamyness, lingering bitterness. Solid dIPA with big hop presence and a malt backbone to stand up to it.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2012 18:11:48 | More by rfgetz

Scotchboy

Idaho

4.03/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bomber poured into a New Belgium globe.

A: Clear, dark golden orange with a frothy and sticky mound of off white head.

S: Intensely floral and ctrusy with a ton of sweeter orange character and ruby red grapefruit, dank resinous pine.

T: Dry and bitter, orange, some tropical fruits, pineapple, lots of floral & citrus-forward hops, herbal & piney hop oil, with a touch of a bready malt backbone.

MF: Moderate body with good carbonation, dry and bitter with a dry finish.

O: A pretty good DIPA, not quite a palate wrecker but definitely bitter and astringent and hop-froward to the extreme.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2012 15:35:31 | More by Scotchboy

Duff27

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Inch tall dense white head on a murky darker orange.

Dank mango tropical fruits galore, lovin it.

More of the beautiful beach island tastes. Very dank, mouth watering. Well above average bitterness. Somewhat boozy but easy going down.

Thicker mouthfeel for a double IPA, well carbonated.

It's getting harder and harder to separate your DIPA from the next guys and I think Green Flash is on to something here. I can s we this beer being polarizing but with that said its well worth a try is you like dank highly hopped beers.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2012 01:44:14 | More by Duff27