Nelson - Alpine Beer Company

Stevedore

Wisconsin

4.44/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

22oz bomber, undated (but Brian assures me this was just picked up from the brewery several days prior) poured into a FFF teku glass today, 6/16/2013. Thanks a lot to Brian for hooking me up with this beer.

Aroma: Intense, aromatic pine, orange and tangerine nose that I can smell as soon as I open up the bottle. Simply wafts out and slams my nose with piney and citrus goodness. There's a sharp spiciness that I would attribute to the rye. Delicious smelling beer. (4.75)

Colour: Nothing special, just a dark brownish-orange body with a nice fluffy 1cm white head that dissipates into a thick collar and very thin film on the beer. For the most part it's a non-descript IPA, could be any IPA for all I know. The body's kind of dark and viscous looking- more like a quad than an IPA, really. So it's kind of weird. The lacing on this beer is quite nice though! (3.75)

Flavour: Nice. Lots of sharp spiciness reminding me of rye along with a good dollop of pine cone bitterness and tangerine sweetness. Very interesting and a bit different than most of the other West Coast IPA's I've had. Very tasty. (4.5)

Mouthfeel: Crisp, medium (on the thin side) bodied beer that is very well carbonated. Aftertaste is mostly spicy rye and pine bitterness; it finishes cleanly in a mellow way that doesn't singe my palate. I'm really digging the feel of the rye spiciness and how cleanly and smoothly it finishes up. (4.25)

Overall: Delicious Golden Rye IPA, I don't recall having many beers in this particular style but I am really enjoying the rye contribution to the high hoppiness quotient. Alpine makes some awesome IPAs and I'm glad to have had the chance to drink this beer! (4.25)

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 00:41:21 | More by Stevedore

dvmin98

North Carolina

4.74/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

22 oz bomber poured into a Allagash tulip glass

A: Appearance is cloudy orange with a thin white head. Good lacing, that sticks around for several minutes.

S: The aroma is pineapple, rye, tangerine, mango, and some spice.

T: Taste is spicey rye, tropical fruit, white wine. Nice lingering aftertaste, that's not overpowering.

M: Medium body, decent carbonation, dry finish.

O: Overall one of my new favorite IPAs. Grab it if you can find it. Well done, Alpine!

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2013 21:53:38 | More by dvmin98

zipper8650

New York

4.16/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Good beer Sunday. First IPA review. Exponential is my all time favorite IPA so I have high hopes here. I love Duet as well but Hopiness didnt do it for me...snifter poured right down the middle
A - huge white head, murky yellow/orange.
S - a lot of citrus but I also get lychee out of it
T - grapefuit times 10. I have never had an IPA this heavy on the grapefruit before, not overly bitter
M - its fine, nothing mind blowing or poor, right where it should be
O - i am NOT a fan of grapefruits BUT i think this is a super well made, quality solid beer and I am glad I had it and I am enjoying it!!
Skol

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 22:45:00 | More by zipper8650

facundoCNB

New Jersey

4.2/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

an opaque orangy yellow pour with a full 2 fingers of white fluffy head which dissipated slowly and left some great amount of sticky lacing behind. smells of fruity hops, slight pine, herbal garlic-like scent, grapefruit, mint leaves.

this is my first experience with these nelson sauvin hops, and i am really liking it. there is a minty/fruity/grape-like flavor to it. add a nice malty sweet backbone (but dry enough almost like wine) and you have a delicious ipa.

this is a very easy drinking, refreshing ipa medium in body with highr carbonation (for the style) and a nice dryness in the finish.

this is an excellent ipa, with a nice semi bitter lingering flavor mixed in with what feels like white wine. reading the label on the bottle, i now see that this comes from the hops. what a wonderful experience.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2013 01:33:37 | More by facundoCNB

rlee1390

Indiana

4.55/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A-Bright orange, one finger head and cloudy.

S-Grapefruit, tropical citrus, great balance, slight grass, grapes and rye.

T-Great balance, can't stress that enough, very citusy and tropical notes. Mild bitterness, grapes and rye.

M-Light to medium bodied, some hop resins.

O-Wow. An amazing IPA, one of the best out there. Such a wonderful beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2013 15:01:02 | More by rlee1390

Hendry

Vermont

4.53/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Nelson pours a cloudy golden color with a super fine 1 finger head,and superb lacing.

Aroma is difficult to describe, but aside from some hops, there is a strange dampness to the smell, like the air just before it rains...difficult to describe, but I suspect it is the European rye that it is blended with that gives off the unusual nose. Smells like no other beer I have had.

Taste is another matter altogether: a precise blend of rye,hops,and malt create a unique flavor and finish. There is a distinct hopiness that is muted by the rye and the malts. Aftertaste is slightly bitter and enjoyable unlike some of the highly acidic beers brewed with rye that I have sampled. Medium bodied and quite smooth drinking.

Mouthfeel is medium,carbonation is lively moving everything along.

All in all, a really nice IPA with a rye twist. The funkiness of the aroma is a bit off, but outside of that, a solid effort from Alpine, and definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 03:18:22 | More by Hendry

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.58/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A: Hazy, golden-yellow with a bright white, soapy, fluffy head. Great lace and decent retention.

S: All pungent NZ hops with lots of resin and some pine.

T: Super delicious, sticky hops. Grassy, earthy, woody.

M: Smooth, clean, great body, massive flavor, proper carbonation.

O: This definitely highlights the beauty of NZ hops. They're so unique and delicious. Not the most delicious use of Nelson Sauvin hops but its such a great IPA.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 03:25:49 | More by Gatch

angrybabboon

Rhode Island

4.53/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Consumed 5/14/13

Big cheers to Goblinmunkey7 for getting this in a trade and sharing it

Appearance: Golden orange, rather hazy, with some straw around the edges - pours with a big, bright white head - fluffy, big, creamy head - fades to a remarkably solid, creamy cap - leaves sheets of lacing

Smell: Very, very unique and very, very hoppy - remarkably fruity, bright, and sweet in a very unusual way - malty sweetness kind of reminds me of cake - the hoppiness reminds me of my head exploding or something - extreme citrus and tropical notes - bright, lively orange and tangerine - some mango, pineapple, and melon - lightly spicy and lightly earthy - some rye, but not much

Taste: Brilliantly hoppy executed in a brilliant way - loads of citrus, with orange, tangerine, and grapefruit flesh - some oil, some pith - tropical notes with pineapple, melon, and something like lime - lightly grassy with some herbal and weed notes - moderately bitter - unexpectedly balanced with the nicely pale malts - the light spiciness from the rye adds to the unique, lovely character from the hops

Mouthfeel: Medium body, excellent carbonation, extremely smooth and extremely drinkable

Overall: You done broke the Nelson Sauvin, son!

I've had beers brewed with New Zealand hops. They have not been stellar. This is mind-blowingly awesome. I need to try everything from Alpine. Now. Seriously. Now!

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 00:38:36 | More by angrybabboon

Goblinmunkey7

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to JayORear for the surprise bottle. Split with angrybabboon.

Appearance: Perfectly clear light gold. A slight haze after the last bit of the pour. Head is white and pillowy. Creamy and thick. Drops to a small spotty head with a slightly larger collar. Some small spots and streaks of lacing. Not what I was expecting to see, but that's because I didn't really know what this thing was.

Smell: Grapefruit. Loaded with grapefruit flesh, fresh juice, and rind. Deeply floral with a solid earthiness. Slight backing spiciness with a light, slightly sweet malt backbone. Sweet candied hops. Pine resin. Peaches. Mango. Very tropical and dank, but sweet. Cotton candy. Bright white wine as it warms.

Taste: Tropical fruit explosion. Mango and peaches. Juicy ripe fruit. Malts are light and bready. Slight hint of rye spiciness that I would miss and chalk up to hops if the bottle hadn't alerted me to it. Hops run the gamut. Earthy and herbal with a slightly damp earthiness. Lingering mild bitterness. Some oily pine as it warms. Some bubblegum/cotton candy, but it's more tropical. Nice backing spiciness as it warms.

Mouthfeel: Medium body that runs on the lighter side. Average moderate carbonation with a juicy feel up front. Finishes relatively clean, but slightly dry.

Overall: Ha ha!

A ryePA that doesn't go too far with a super awesome hop variety? Yeah, this wins and wins hard. Incredibly drinkable with a crazy amount of flavor. Never gets abrasive. Seriously, why can't I get more of this?

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 00:35:59 | More by Goblinmunkey7

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

4.38/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a Goose Island tulip. The pour is gold and straw-colored. Very pale and pilsener-like. It sports a nice 2-finger creamy white head. I get some nice notes of lemon, orange, pine, and cedar on the nose.

Crisp and light-bodied, almost like a hopped-up American Pale Wheat Ale, but somehow retains a nice, creamy feel. The flavors are very well-balanced, but hoppy enough so that you don't forget this is an American IPA. Up front I get some orange marmalade, lemon zest, and a nice cracker-like graininess. Flavors of grapefruit come in at mid-palate. Not sure if I'm getting any of the rye. If I am, then it's very subtle. Right in the back of the mouth, there's a nice pineapple and apricot-like sweetness that joins the bitterness on the finish. The finish is dry and lingering, but this is in no way a palate-wrecker. Very, very refreshing and well-balanced. Not a trace of booziness.

I got this beer in a trade (thanks ThaFATkid!) and I'm glad it was included. Those West Coasters really know how to make a good IPA. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 11:55:41 | More by deadonhisfeet

Keyportnick

Wisconsin

4.15/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A-clear golden. Minimal head

S- peachy, grassy, guava , lemon grass

T-malty bread. Peach,earthy grass, guava.

M- medium-full body really smooth

O- delicious ipa, wish it was more widely distro'd. Hope they don't go to coldspring though...this was a quick drinking review.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 04:30:36 | More by Keyportnick

zeledonia

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Tasted 22 March 2013, reviewed from notes. Thanks to BeerThirty for the bottle.

Pours a clear golden-orange. Not a ton of head, but partly due to a gentle pour. What head there is is white, and has good retention and lacing.

Smell is surprisingly weak in the nose. Some pulpy fruit, grapes, a little peach, and a bit of citrus. I have to really bury my nose in it to pull it in.

Taste is relatively sweet. Bitterness is toned down even from Duet, about 3/8 bitter. Has a really nice rye-like tingly spice in the middle. A slightly sugary sweetness topped with pineapple.

Feel is medium-bodied and a little sticky. Carbonation is good, medium, as it should be. There's a nice tingle that combines quite well with the spice in the taste.

An interesting beer, good but not great. The taste is the definite highlight, which is rarely my experience with IPAs. Smell was a minor let-down, disappointing for a purportedly hop-forward beer. Balanced to sweet for an IPA, which I've found true for all the Alpine IPAs I've had.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 06:13:31 | More by zeledonia

arfenhouse

California

4.6/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Hazy light gold with white head. Retention is good with decent lacing.

S:Big on tangerine and pine. Good amount of spicy hop, mango, and peach. Some orange peel.

T: Tangerine, pine, and peach. Slightly sweet. Spicy hop and pine finish it off. Very small bitterness.

M: Medium bodied with medium carbonation. Dry.

O: Great IPA. Smells and tastes great.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 07:38:56 | More by arfenhouse

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-light orange amber color with a smallish white head and a little lacing

S-tropical fruit, bread, pine, citrus, floral, slight herbal notes

T-bready malt, tropical fruit, grapefruit, pine, some spicy rye flavors, floral, decent bitterness in the finish

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp yet smooth

O-a great IPA with a solid range of flavors and a great aroma

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 12:04:11 | More by MDDMD

writerLJBerg

Oregon

4.03/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle from Hamilton23. Thanks!

A: Brackish topaz with a whisp of head. Looks very still and serene.

N: Lime, ruby grapefruit, fresh cut grass clippings. Hints of conifer. Hops overshadow any malt in a good way. There is some biscuit/cracker, and I can follow the nose to some significant mango flavors.

T: Tropical to start, as with Pure Hoppiness, but this has a two tier effect that begins with the mango, grapefruit, pineapple and transitions into the cracker/bread and piney base. There's a significant amount of bitterness to this which is made all the more prominent by the zest and spice of the rye.

M: Dry, medium mouthfeel. Really cuts through the palate.

O: A very good IPA with an incredible bitterness that's well integrated into the whole. Drink and enjoy; Alpine is doing great work

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 23:05:00 | More by writerLJBerg

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.31/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Received this extra in a trade and poured into my Duvel tulip.

A - Poured a nice hazy light orange hue with a thin half finger head that faded to leave a thin cloud and light halo. Do wish this had a bigger head/lacing.

S - Smell is incredible. Tangerine, pineapple, lightly floral. This is an incredible nose. Really top notch and exceptional on the nose. I want this as a candle.

T - Not quite as good as the nose, but still mighty tasty. Tropical notes of that tangerine and pineapple are still there just fainter. Some spicy notes too. Someone said rye so okay, I can see that. Lightly floral too with some well rounded malts. No bitter finish.

M - Mouthfeel is a bit on the thin side, or at least thinner than what I was expecting. Very, very light on the carbonation.

O - Overall, this is a crazy aromatic with solid taste. Would like a better head and mouthfeel though. Bad bottle perhaps, dunno, but still amped to have tried it.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 01:59:59 | More by rudzud

AlexFields

Tennessee

4.41/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours a hazy light golden apricot color with a big clean white head, very attractive.

Smells of big juicy tangerine/orange, spicy rye, some floral notes. Smells awesome.

Taste is similar, lots of rye spice, big juicy sweet citrus, has that unique spicy floral kick New Zealand hops seem to have. Great beer.

Super drinkable, partly because it just tastes awesome, also great carb level and great mouthfeel.

Love it!

8.8/10

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 02:26:13 | More by AlexFields

mookihouse

California

4.35/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Light golden hazy yellow with a thin head that lasts till the last sip.

Smell is incredible.  I can't recall another IPA with such alluring floral and tropical fruit smells.

Taste of pineapple, citrus, a little fresh cut grass.  Hop is there but no lasting bitter after taste.

Had this many times both on-tap and from bottles.  Bottle in this review is about 30-days old but pretty much as good as fresh.

I prefer Nelson over Pliny most days.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 05:29:18 | More by mookihouse

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

4.48/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle served in a standard pint glass.

L - lightly hazed golden color with a white head that thinned leaving some bits of lacing.

S - tropical fruit, citrus rind and a hint of rye malt.

T - very nice blend of fruity hops, rye spices and citrus rind bitterness.

F - light/medium bodied it goes down very easy.

O - very tasty, highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 00:00:01 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

dlello2

Illinois

4.7/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

22oz bottle sent by ScottO. Reportedly less than a week old!

This was a fantastic beer. Perfect shimmering orange appearance with a nice couple of fingers of head. The smell erupted from the glass with tons of tropical fruit deliciousness. Mango, pineapple, citrus. Truly fantastic aroma. The taste followed the nose almost perfectly, perhaps I've found my new favorite hop. The balance was near perfect with just the right amount of lingering bitterness. Part of me wants to say that I'd have liked a bit less sweetness, but another part of me thinks this beer needs it! Overall the aroma was the winner for me with this one--will definitely seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 22:00:04 | More by dlello2

Etan

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle sent to me by rmaste. Thanks!

A: Pours a slightly murky straw-gold color with a fine white head.

S: Nelson sauvin hops shining brightly in the nose. Dense tropical fruits (papaya, mango, overripe pineapple), lemony and a bit catty, light earthiness from the rye. Very nice.

T: Moderately sweet hop taste establishes itself first with some some pineapple and grapefruit and pine notes. Malt profile is clean and light, lending some mild breadiness, a bit of vanilla, some slightly spicy rye. Very restrained bitterness.

M: Light-bodied with active carbonation, creamy feel. Has some heft to it.

O: Fantastic rye IPA with some nice complexity from the Sauvin hops.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 00:31:07 | More by Etan

Hamburgers

California

4.4/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Fresh bottle, only 5 days old. At least that's what Alpine said when I bought it. Pours a cloudy pale gold with one finger white head. Aroma is super grassy, slightly piney with notes of citrus fruit. Flavors of citrus with just a hint of spicy rye. Medium body with ample carbonation. Crisp, clean finish. A smooth IPA, not too bitter.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 07:32:00 | More by Hamburgers

CurtFromHershey

Pennsylvania

4.31/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Pours a hazy copper gold. Attractive beer, but minimal head and lacing.

Smell is unlike any other beer I've had, likely the Nelson hops. Somewhat floral, a bit spicy, and something else I can't put my finger on.

Tastes follows the nose closely but slightly muted.

Mouthfeel is slick with tight carbonation.

Overall a fantastic beer I hope to get to enjoy again in the future.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2013 02:07:35 | More by CurtFromHershey

brydeen

Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

poured from a 22oz bottle into a pint glass

A: Pours a slightly murky, golden color, with a creamy thin white head. Dissipates slowly, but clings to the glass the whole way.

S: A tropical yet earthy aroma. Not a punch you in the face aroma like many of my favorite IPAs, but very pleasant. Grapefruit and mango up front, with a dank spiciness behind it.

T: A light sweetness right off the bat, but finishes with a spicy bite of the rye. Really quite smooth and subtle. Not overly bitter with hops.

M: Very light carbonation and a surprisingly creamy texture.

O: Really solidly balanced beer. The flavor and aroma are subtle but delicious. Always a favorite of mine.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 23:59:30 | More by brydeen

zac16125

South Carolina

4.33/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle poured into a pint glass
no born on date but picked up from the brewery approximately 1 week ago

Thanks to harink for sending this over in a trade.

A: Pours a very murky, kind of urine yellow with just under 1 fingers width of sea foam white colored head. Honestly, this is pretty ugly in the glass. It does leave tons of really cool honey comb lacing, which is its redeeming factor.

S: Aroma is very vinous, white grapes and sweet white wine - like a moscato. Accompanied by mild dank, resinous notes. A hint of rye spiciness, citrus rind, and a touch of bready malts.

T: Follows the nose in thats its full of sweet white grape notes. There is a big rye spice component, along with piney bitterness, some citrus rind and tropical fruit sweetness. Better than the nose, as flavors as a whole are stronger than the aroma. Very tasty, I really like the combination of sweet vinous and rye spiciness notes.

M/D: Smooth for the style, with an appropriate carbonation, medium bodied with a rather wet mouthfeel. Drinkability is excellent.

O: Overall, an excellent beer. Dont let the somewhat nasty look of it scare you off cause its delicious. Not one of my favorite IPAs, and not as good at Duet (which I had yesterday so my memory is fresh), but certainly unique and very good in its own right. I would drink this again in a heartbeat, and if it was local Id definitely buy it on a consistent basis, but its not something I will aggressively seek out via trade.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 15:09:58 | More by zac16125