Nelson - Alpine Beer Company

EgadBananas

Louisiana

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

Pours a somewhat murky, light tangerine colour, with a whitish head. Little bits of lace. Aroma is tropical fruits, mango, herbal tones, and juicy citrus. Mirrored quite well on the taste with the sweet orange, mango and fruits. Mild bitterness, full of flavour. It's got a nice substantial feel, lower carbonation, but pleasant. Super easy to drink.

This is great. It's not a bitter bomb, but it's just a super flavourful, easy drinking IPA!

Thanks Alex! (LSUPT)

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 00:34:12 | More by EgadBananas

elgiacomo

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle, unknown date. Served at around 45F.

Pours clear gold with a one finger white head that leaves some nice spotty lacing and holds a small cap with large bubbles.

Aroma is fruity hops, white grapes, melon (cantaloupe), some resin, onion and weed, a little pine and citrus, some caramel malt. Very good strength.

Flavor follows with resinous hops, white grapes, cantaloupe, fruity hops, decent caramel malt backbone with the rye lending a hint of spice on the finish. Some sweetness, moderate bitterness. Some alcohol on the finish as well.

Mouthfeel is medium-plus bodied, sticky and oily with good carbonation.

A very unique IPA. Those Nelson Sauvin hops are something else. Very good, but to be honest not as mind-blowing as I was expecting coming in. The aroma is definitely the strong suit, excellent.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 00:43:11 | More by elgiacomo

mikereaser

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Part of the blind bif 7, paired beers

Well after a cold from hell and then a pesky storm that we were lucky to skirt for the most part, I am ready to dip into my very generous box from quirkzoo that I received awhile ago. Inside were 12 hobo wrapped bottles and one very nice Crooked Stave shirt. The wait has been killing me but I wanted to hold off until this cold was gone so I could enjoy these beers.

1.a
Pours a golden orange with an inch of white foam that leaves some good lacing down the glass. Right off the bat the aroma of this one is very juicy. Lots of citrus hops and boy is it smelling divine! I don't want to stop smelling it. Its just too damn good.
Nice amount of bitterness but nothing that overtakes the flavor. Very resiny with a hint of soapiness. This is very drinkable. The flavor doesn't knock you over like the aroma does, but its very enjoyable. Very dry finish, sort of reminds me of plink the elder but I don't think its the right bottle for it.

1.b
Pours the same as 1A but a little darker and with just a little less amount of foam. The lacing is not as pronounced and sticky as 1A. In comparison to 1A this has a lot of the same citrusy notes but way more subtle. A little bit more of the malt comes through. Now this one seems a bit more ramped up in the flavor. There is a bigger malty backbone to it which helps bring the flavor of the hops forward. Less bitterness as well. Its thicker bodied than 1A as well.

So these seem to be two different beers, one seems like an IPA and the other a DIPA. Its neat to see how the higher the maltiness really seems to bring out the hops in the flavor while the other one is all aroma. Both of these beers are really good and I was in need of some good hops so these hit the spot. So lets see what I was drinking…

1A is Alpine Nelson
1B is Alpine Pure Hoppiness

I really wanted to guess Alpine on a hunch but never had, and both were wants in my book. Hell of a good start thanks to quirkzoo for a great start to this bif for me.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2012 04:43:59 | More by mikereaser

Vonerichs

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The color is an unimpressive murky golf with a contrasting white head. What is impressive is the spider web of lacing.

Great aromatics... White grapes, grapefruit, and peach with a bready malt.

Delicious citrus hop profile showcases orange, grapefruit, and white grapes. There's a nice rye malt finish but is more bready than peppery.

Mouthfeel is clean and sticky but that sticky gives way to a lingering dryness.

This is a fantastic beer that does a great job showcasing the hops.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 20:13:58 | More by Vonerichs

yamar68

Minnesota

4.73/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

HUGE thanks to quirkzoo for this one!

Hazy honey golden body, tons and tons of beading, dense milky finger of paper white head leaves tremendous gobs of lacing.

Hops explode from this beer... syrupy mango/citric sweetness gives my nose an orgasm. So intense, massive stuff. Faint spicy herbal qualities, fresh oranges, just delightful I think. Grapefruit bitterness evolves as it warms.

Incredibly thick tropical fruit, definite Sour Diesel flavors are everywhere, pleasant bitterness transitions into a clean, thirst quenching finish.

Overall, I can see why this beer is so highly sought after. I could drink only this beer everyday for the rest of my life and die happy.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 23:55:00 | More by yamar68

pschul4

Illinois

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

150th Review! Huge HUGE thanks to ehammond1 for an unsolicited box with this, duet, and some pint glasses. Total class act

A- Pours a dark golden orange with a 1/2 inch head that quickly receeds

S- Boom. Nelson sauvin hops hit you right away. I can't put my finger on the exact scent they give off but its similar to a pine cone in a grapefruit. Simply stunning

T- The steal the show, tons of that fruity yet piney taste along with just enough rye and malt to keep everything clean. Leaves that familiar rye bite on the back end of the sip

M- Super smooth for the style. It works amazingly

O- Can't thank you enough Eric this was a big want of mine for a long time and it really lived up to my hopes. Trade for this if you don't live near Alpine!

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 01:46:13 | More by pschul4

harrymel

Washington

3.93/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottled last week.

Light golden with a 3/4 moon of white foam atop and nice clarity. Smells like pineapple, sweet mangos, pine and a gobs of sweet malts. I like the nose, as I do with most Sauvin beers. Flavor is sweet and bitter with good bits of the character from the olfactory. I like the slight oxidation I get in Alpine's beers - nice woodiness. If this was in any other kind of beer, I'd be upset, but it is well played here. Medium bodied with sharp, tight carb and a semi dry finish. Nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 05:44:02 | More by harrymel

IKR

California

4.05/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Light Amber color with a modest-sized white head that faded fairly quickly.

Smell: Primarily Piney hop aromas with some citrus fruits thrown in..

Taste:The pine aromas carry over to the taste, but I also get some grape-like and citrus notes. The rye adds a bit of spicy notes. i can't really pick up the malts in the taste. The finish ends with the grape notes, a bit of rye spiciness and mild citrus notes.

Mouth-feel: Medium body with a medium level of carbonation.

Overall: IPAs aren't really my thing but this is a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 23:44:27 | More by IKR

dtmets84

New York

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

Thanks to saru96!

Poured into my HF snifter.

Pours a dark amber with a light foam leaving a tiny bit of lacing.

Nose is rather tame. Citrus and very faint hops.

Taste is hops. Get that orange taste w some caramel malt notes

Decent body and the taste seems to linger.

Second time having this guy and I felt the first one did this guy better justice then this bottle.

After have expo hoppy yesterday this guy is a more subdued second.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 22:50:47 | More by dtmets84

coreyfmcdonald

Georgia

4.78/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

22oz bottle into a tulip

A: Pours a slightly hazy dark golden color with a finger of very dense head with a vigorous pour. Amazing retention and tons of lacing.

S: Lots of Nelson Sauvin hops upfront - I mostly get peach and musty grapey barn farm-like aroma. tough to describe, but very typical Nelson Sauvin. Maybe a touch of caramel sweetness, but the sweetness is mostly fruity.

T: Very interesting. The Nelson Sauvin hops again are very prominent. I get grapes and must first and foremost with some mango and citrus in the background. The hop/malt combination also allows for some great mango and vanilla sweetness. I typically dont like much sweetness in my IPAs, but this is certainly welcome. The bitterness is balanced and on the lower end. Complex and very well executed.

M: On the thick side with low, creamy carbonation. I've never really seen carbonation like this in an IPA - very soft. I very much enjoy it. It really helps the flavors come out of the beer.

O: I love this IPA. Complex, interesting, well put together, and balanced. One of the best I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 01:44:26 | More by coreyfmcdonald

mcintire78

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

a: Pale gold to straw in color with a large, two finger head, but only a small bit of carbonation. Head dissipates very slowly leaving significant lacing.

s: Strong smell of citrus up front, followed by an almost flowery hop smell. Was expecting more rye, but the citrus is overpowering.

t: A very gentle start up, that ends strong with rye. All in all, a very mellow beer.

m: Gentle is the only word for it. Very light carbonation and a lack of bittering hops makes for very easy drinking.

d: High drinkability, much higher than I would have thought from a West Coast IPA. You could down these one after another.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 00:09:00 | More by mcintire78

match1112

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks go out to ehammond1 for sending this!

a: murky dark orange body with a slow and steady rise of bubbles from the botton. head is dirty white and stands a half inch tall leaving a nice spider web of lacing as this beer goes down all too quick.

s: nice and mello nose to this one. aromas of grapefruit, spice, rye and a little caramel blend nicely.

t: wowza! this is incredibly good. burst of grapefruit up front is nicely smoothed over by the rye.

m: nice carbonation level. the rye gives this a med-full body. little dry and bitter on the finish but is amazingly well balanced.

o: awesome! i grew up stealing sips of rye whiskey from granddad and have had a love for rye ever since. this beer fills that need very well. so smooth and drinkable! can't get over how awesome this beer is. if you havent had it, you need to.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 00:55:42 | More by match1112

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.13/5  rDev -7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a slightly hazy golden orange with good carbonation with a promising creamy like white cap, bubbles and moderate lacing. I did spot a little bit of hop oil sticking to the glass

S: Very nice and aromatic. A hefty dose of orchard citrus and tropical fruits; mainly pineapple, mango and orange zest with a light bread, slight pepper and even a touch of honey??

T: Flavorful indeed. The immediate thing I notice is balance. There is a nice breadiness to balance the truckload of hops poured into this. Initially my taste buds get a big passion and tropical fruit blend (kiwi, light pineapple, mango, white grape) with a little green characteristic. Like I would expect a liquid jungle to taste like. The finish is sweet, pretty dry and lighly bitter. Did I say pretty balanced?

M: Medium bodied, sweet, fruity and bready. The rye presents a bigger beer than what you would expect.

O: I can see why this beer is coveted. Also, rye is a love/hate and I seem to find it a difficult task to find one I routinely enjoy so I think mixing rye and Nelson hops together takes balls. Alpine has big balls. Well done but a tad but overrated and hyped. Yeah, i said it.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 11:04:36 | More by barleywinefiend

jaasen64

Massachusetts

4.26/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

22oz bottle thanks to Airfoil (picked up from brewery exactly 2 weeks ago). Poured into Lawson's snifter.

A- Pours a little bit hazy dark orange slightly amber. About a half finger of white head that quickly recedes. Not too much carbonation. Some light layered lacing.

S- Citrus hops, grapefruit, balanced with Bready/caramel malts. A little bit above average aroma strength and very pleasant smelling.

T- Citrus, grapefruit hops that blend with lightly sweet bready caramel malts with a hint of honey and a sweet citrusy finish that lingers for a little bit. Very nice balance and quite tasty.

M- Medium bodied, maybe slightly thicker then your average IPA, smooth, goes down easily.

O- This was a very nice IPA, that is typical to the other Alpine's that I've had. Alpine definitely nails the balance between hops and malts in their IPAs and I love the malts that they use. I liked Duet a little bit more, but Nelson is very good too. I would definitely drink this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 01:46:50 | More by jaasen64

DarthKostrizer

California

4.23/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks Ehammond1

Look: Pours a semi translucent orange color with a 1/3 inch head and good retention with some spotty lacing

Smell: The beer has quite a strong hop aroma bringing forth some nice tropical fruits and there is also a slight grape note. The rye adds a subtle spice

Taste: The beer starts out the same way as the nose with some tropical fruits pineapple and peach stick out with a subtle grape undertone. Mid palate the rye spice picks up and to me it seems like the rye spice actual fights with the hop flavor just a bit which creates a unique flavor but throws me off just a bit

Mouthfeel: Not quite medium body and medium carbonation

Overall: I really enjoy this beer and I wish Alpine wouldn't be so fucking stingy with their disto of this.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 05:06:21 | More by DarthKostrizer

DavidST

Texas

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

On tap poured into a long glass, unknown freshness. This was poured a hazy golden amber color with a smaller laced leading off white head. The smells are of oranges, citrus fruit, grapefruit and sweet malts. The feel is medium with a nice creamy carbonation. The taste is very balanced and good, lots of bitter hops, citrus fruit, good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2012 23:23:19 | More by DavidST

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle, no bottled on date, picked it up at the brewery yesterday so it should be pretty fresh. Poured into a tulip glass.

A- Pours a very slightly cloudy orange color, produces a thin white head, decent retention, spotty lacing.

S- Huge juicy hop aroma, lots of tropical fruit, oranges and grapefruit, a bit of earthy dankness, also some black pepper spiciness. The aroma is absolutely amazing.

T- Similar to the nose, more tropical fruity hops, mild dank earthiness and some peppery spice, malt is light and bready.

M- Medium-bodied, maybe a bit on the light side, smooth feel, medium to low carbonation, dry and peppery finish.

O- A pretty awesome IPA, great work with the hops from Alpine once again, it doesn't quite stand up there with Bad Boy or Pure Hoppiness, but it still rocks.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2012 04:27:08 | More by WillCarrera

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

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

thanks to kawilliam81 for sharing this brew!

poured into tulip glass.

reviewed from natoes on 6/16/12.

Appearance: clear and brilliant yellowish orange bodied beer with 1 finger of white head.

Smell: Citrusy, and fruity with spicy rye and a bit of yeast.

Taste: mild bitterness and moderately spicy. Citrus, grass, and floral notes. Grapefruit and peach. Rye is really spicy and is found midpalate and continues into the finish. A peppery note combines with the rye in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied beer with moderate carbonation. Super drinkable with a touch of creaminess.

Overall: My first Alpine beer! Mellow bitterness with big flavor is the best way to summarize this beer. Really unique IPA that is both memorable and unique!

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2012 04:13:15 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.45/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared by Adam, 650ml into a snifter.

Clear golden orange with minimal head and almost no lacing. Nose has a really bright citrus quality, Nelson Sauvin is obviously prominent, tangerine, mango and perhaps a bit of white wine character I've always heard to be characteristic of the hop. A kiss of rye spice. Taste has more vibrant citrus qualities, mango, white wine, and again only a wee bit of rye, but just enough to be identifiable. Light body, lower medium carbonation and dries out super quick once the hops have made their appearance. An awesome Rye IPA - had this next to a FFF Rye'd the Lightning - two completely different rye beers, but each awesome in their own regard.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2012 15:46:57 | More by liamt07

UpToMeBeer

Colorado

3.9/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-golden orange with a white head. Good retention with considerable lacing.

S- Smells like an IPA... sort of.... The white-wine styled New Zealand hops are quite pronounced... and intriguing....

T- IPA-like, but quite funky at the same time....

M- Medium in body and carbonation.

O- Intriguing. Daring.... Not your typical IPA.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2012 04:49:02 | More by UpToMeBeer

Duff27

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Thins white head on a clear dark golden. Spotty lacing, good head retention.

Fresh bright hops. Tad of the rye.

Citrus noticed on nose isnt as prevalent on tongue. Rye spice on the back end but not overpowering in the least. Pretty easy drinkin, would guess around 6.5%abv

Good carbonation point, medium to medium thin mouthfeel.

Just a tinge different from most IPAs to set it apart. The rye aspect had me craving another sip repeatedly. Thanks kawilliams82!

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2012 22:22:09 | More by Duff27

Falcon91Wolvrn03

California

4.23/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance – Pours a hazy golden orange color with a little sediment. A nice head and minimal lacing.

Smell – Smells kind of citrusy, primarily grapefruit with a hint of lime. Also, a very nice pine scent that blends well with the citrus.

Taste – Taste is very similar to the smell, although the pine is a little stronger. Not terribly hoppy for an IPA, which is ok.

Mouthfeel – Nice carbonation, slightly creamy, with kind of a nice peppery aftertaste.

Drinkability – I find this very drinkable, as the hops doesn’t overpower. Maybe a bit too much grapefruit for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2012 05:04:47 | More by Falcon91Wolvrn03

BEERchitect

Kentucky

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

Deliciously rounded and profoundly unique with malt flavors of caramel and butterscotch balanced with citrus and winy notes- Nelson delivers the familiar wash of IPA flavors, but with a unique twist here and there to create intrigue and identity.

Pouring a firm orange camel color, the beer carries the standard hoppy hazy that allows only a mild glow to penetrate. Very well headed with a creamy egg shell white foam cap, the beer's froth retains remarkably and laces the glass with left over traces of foam. It's a sturdy looking beer.

Rich and zesty aromas seem to alternate from malty caramel in one whiff, but orange marmalade the next. Notes of herbs, grapes, citrus, and tropical fruits continue to emphasize the fruity-hop dominance of the ale.

Flavors are full of caramel, butterscotch, honey, and crisp grain as the barley makes a moderate impact on flavor. But what makes it's mark is the hops. Starting citrusy with the taste of grapefruit, freshly zested oranges, and a light mango flavor; the beer also weaves in the slightly woody flavors of white wine, juniper-gin, and sassafras for a truly unique counterpart to the ordinary citrusy-resiny hops. But the resin quality comes into play in finish with a decidedly bitter finish of drying hops, alcohol warmth, and light mint.

Medium bodied, the beer's early creaminess is quickly sheds, in favor of fleeting caramel malts, high hop bitterness, mild grassy astringency, and sappy closure. Only a linger of grapefruit bitterness reminds me of how dry the beer is and encourages a quick visit to the glass, much sooner than it should.

Although the beer has a lot of classic and intelligent characteristics that set it apart, the mild buttery taste gives the hoppy ale a rounded and rich taste while the winy hops give extra acidity with a somewhat twiggy taste. Likely considered flaws to some, the moderate tones of these properties give the beer more intrigue and seduction than they do deterrents.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 06:24:15 | More by BEERchitect

sukwonee

Washington

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

A: Orange with 1 finger head with LOTS of lacing on the side of the glass. Cloudy body

S: I LOVE IPAs that smell like this. Reminds me of Zombie Dust. Grapefruit, not much pine in the nose, orange, peach, very fruity.

T: Grapefruit and peach. Not much piney bitterness until the very end and it's not too overpowering. I would says this is only slightly bitter but definitely more hop forward and dominent. The bottle says that it has some rye in this - I can't really tell. Not too bitter, not too sweet. Refreshing and fruity.

M: Crispy, light to medium body, near perfect!

O: I love this beer. My favorite Alpine IPA to date. I really like the hops used in this beer. Highly recommended. Perfect for summer!

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2012 23:51:09 | More by sukwonee

Retail1LO

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a Firestone Walker tulip. Pours a very pale shade of gold with a solid two finger head. Smell on this is citrusy with a tad bit of onion. Otherwise it's a pretty crisp scent. The taste is similar. Citrus foreground with a fade into onion. I typically don't like that quality even a little, but the citrus helps out tremendously. The finish is clean and crisp. Minimal bitterness or aftertaste of any variety. Overall, another solid Alpine IPA.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 01:09:24 | More by Retail1LO