O'Brien's IPA - Alpine Beer Company

ArrogantB

Colorado

4.16/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Growler from Alpine. Orange color, good head, yes. Aroma of hops and hops and then hops? Pine, citrus, etc. flavor was damn hoppy with only the slightest hint of what I'm guessing are summit hops (onion). Great IPA, super hoppy, glad I got to try it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2013 01:45:39 | More by ArrogantB

RaulMondesi

California

3.65/5  rDev -17%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Drove down to Alpine on a heavenly sunny day, but Raul was greeted with extremely dearth results: Nelson is tapped and all IPA bottles are sold out. Wowieee! But Raul is not one to fret, so he jumped his ass on a limited O'Briens IPA.

I think Cyrano de Bergerac could be the only one to lift any thing in the nose from this thang. Little to small hints of citrus, taste is ok, but still somewhat flat on the tongue. Not Laura Flynn Boyle flat, but it could definitely use a wonder bra.

I wouldn't venture with this one again.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2013 05:51:28 | More by RaulMondesi

DocJitsu

California

4.5/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a crystal clear, deep golden color with a rapidly dissipating off-white head that gets perpetually fed by carbonation bubbles from the bottom of the glass. Sweet grapefruit nose is so inviting. Full body that enters the mouth so smoothly you'd think it was nitrogen. Lovely citrus through and through without overpowering. This IPA has nice balance.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2012 02:34:17 | More by DocJitsu

tobelerone

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the brewery.

App: Very clear, dark amber color; fluffy head, good lacing remains.

Smell: Mostly citrusy hops, grapefruit and orange, some herbal and grassy notes, faint sweetness.

Taste: More old school and balanced than something like Duet or Nelson. Easy drinking for sure. I didn’t find this to be a super hop bomb even though the toasty maltiness is pretty restrained. Just a touch sweet, good bitterness, nice but not profound hop character, mostly again, citrus, grapefruit, orange, pine, and herbal flavors.

Mf: Medium-thin body, medium-low carbonation makes for a smooth mouthfeel. Lingering bitterness in the finish but nothing too extreme.

Overall: Fresh and tasty but I didn’t love this one as much as Duet and Nelson or even Pure Hoppiness, seemed a little more traditional and not as massively west coast hopped as the others. Would like to have it again sometime. Nice but not my favorite Alpine IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2012 20:11:58 | More by tobelerone

iadler

Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

5 oz sampler at the brewery.

A- Pours a translucent gold with a one finger head that leaves some nice lines of lacing.

S- Freshly squeezed ruby red grapefruit, some orange, biscuit malt, pine, floral notes and faint tropical hops.

T- Lots of fresh grapefruit and orange followed by floral hops, underripe pineapple and mango, pine, peppery spice and some bready malt.

M- Medium carbonation and a nice crisp body. Refreshing and easy to drink.

O- Another good ipa from a brewery that has really impressed me with their line of ipas.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2011 07:13:21 | More by iadler

Nugganooch

California

4.35/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at PizzaPort – Cbad
*Notes from 12/02/11 –> slacker

A: O’Briens IPA pours a sort of garnished clear amber color. Brassy almost with a one finger pure white whip atop and just sheets of lace down my glass.

S: Smells of sweet grapefruit. Like candied citrus peels followed by some light pine and wafts of caramel pale malts.

T: Just so tasty and well balanced. Sticky citrus, pine and hempy herb hop notes with a really nice puckering bitterness overall. Touch of bready cracker malt base. Nothing off the scales but just everything I look for in an IPA. So refreshing and delicious.

M: Super dry and light bodied. Some sticky resins linger on the tongue. Crisp in the finish.

D: This may possibly be my favorite single IPA. Great hop bitterness with lots of citrus and hemp flavors. Subtle but present pale malt backing brings great balance overall. Light dry and crisp. Again nothing off the charts but on point as far as the style goes. Just so refreshing.

Highly recommended!

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2011 18:26:57 | More by Nugganooch

pmarlowe

California

4.55/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Alpine. Tulip glass.

A: Light golden, clear, with about a finger of snow white foam. Leaves behind good lacing, very good retention.

S: Gorgeous pine with a nice citrus backbone. The piney-ness smells delicious, but is not overpowering.

T: Mostly pine with some grapefruit and biscuity malt, lemon mixed in. Long, smooth bitter finish.

M: Medium body with crisp, medium-high carbonation.

O: Another winner from Alpine, O'Brien's IPA is an excellent tribute to my favorite bar. I could drink loads of this.

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2011 06:03:21 | More by pmarlowe

ehammond1

California

4.08/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On Tap

Alpine Beer Company
Alpine, CA

Golden and orange in color with a thick, pillowy off-white head and eventually leaves spiderwebs of lace all the way down the glass. Gorgeous.

Pungent tropical, floral, and citrus aromas with lots of grapefruit and orange scents leading the way.

Moderately bitter and lots of tropical and citrus flavors throughout. Incredibly drinkable.

Medium mouthfeel with ample carbonation, but incredibly crisp and amazingly drinkable.

Another fine IPA from Alpine. I equate this to Russian River's IPA. It's not one anyone ever talks about, is only available on tap, and is just shy of world class. That being said, this is an awesome IPA!

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2011 04:55:28 | More by ehammond1

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

4.22/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap both at the Alpine Brewery and at Toronado, San Diego on my Honeymoon in San Diego last week.

A: Pours a pretty cloudy to hazy orange with a small ring of white head that leaves decent lacing.

S: Smells quite hoppy of course (it is an Alpine beer after all), with mostly pine and citrus at the fore sort of what I would call the signature mix of raw hops in most of Alpines brews. A little malt, but not much. Overall not as amazing smelling as some of their other offerings I've enjoyed but still definitely good!

T: A burst of hops and honey hit first with a little toasty biscuit showing up in the middle. Citrus, grass and just overall raw hop husks combine for this flavor.

M: Sticky and semi biting, but not a huge bitter bite like some of their beers. Drinks easy.

O: Nice beer, but I'd rather have Duet, Hoppy birthday, Expo, or Nelson before this

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2011 21:59:17 | More by Dreadnaught33

soze47

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From Notes on my trip to Alpine in late May, 2011. 4.5 oz. pour as part of a flight.

This is light yellow gold in color with very sticky lacing. Sweetness up front is somewhat surprising with orange flesh and malt, but that gets wiped out by a great pine/floral bitterness in the secondary and on the linger.

Liked this beer a lot and think it is a great example of the style. Very drinkable and has a nice mouthfeel.

Serving type: on-tap

06-05-2011 13:49:15 | More by soze47

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.95/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at O'Brien's. Darker copper pour, average head, lacing below average. Aroma was as expected, hoppy, floral, leaning grapefruit.

Taste, a good ipa, yet underwhelming for being made from Alpine. Bitterness heavier than the hopping, alcohol seemed higher than 6% in this one, was tasting it. Mild sweetness, nothing of note to the malt flavor, approaching balance, but still leans hoppy. Vegetal at times. Acidic even.

Still better than most new ipa's I try these days.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2011 16:52:50 | More by Beerandraiderfan

FosterJM

California

4.22/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

522nd review on BA
Draft to pint
@ Alpine Beer Pub

App- A good looking orange with a little ting with a one finger fast receding head. Had cling all over the place. A very nice looking IPA.

Smell- This was a juicy hop scent with a little bit of spice. It was a bit lacking in aromatics but smelled great.

Taste- This was a great little IPA. Very juicy, hoppy with a slight bitter bite.

Mouth- Medium bodied and medium carbonated. Left a small bitter note and a little orangy citrus

Drink- This was a suprise. I had heard good things, but with IPAs its a race to make em big, bold and brash. This was tasty, balanced and well done. I would like this one again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2011 15:30:48 | More by FosterJM

notchucknorris

California

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

On tap at O'Brien's

A: Golden orange color with a thin, tan head.

S: Big resinous hop aroma full of some nice floral hops and a bit of earthiness.

T: There's a sharp citrus hop bite upfront. Big grapefruit flavor off the bat. Malty smoothness towards the middle and a bit of bready malts on the finish. This one wasn't my favorite of theirs but it's still a great IPA. The keg had been tapped a few days before I got to this and I think because of this, the beer didn't taste as fresh as I think it should have. Still a great beer though.

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2011 15:57:51 | More by notchucknorris

beagle75

Iowa

4/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Draft pour into a shaker pint glass at the Alpine pub.

A: Clear, medium golden color with less than one finger of diminishing white foam head. Moderate lacing remains on the glass.

S: Hops-dominated featuring fresh grass, pine, and grapefruit citrus. Clean, not cloying, but lacking somewhat in intensity.

T: Begins off-dry with faint toast, acidity, and layers hops. Aromatic hop flavors tend toward floral and grapefruit citrus, but also with more persistent herbal and chile spiciness. The finish possesses moderate bitterness but is made more challenging by the lingering capsaicin quality of the spice.

M: Thin to medium viscosity, slightly sticky and smooth on the palate, with moderate carbonation.

D: Upon enjoying this beer for the first time it is strikingly middle-of-the-road; a good all-purpose IPA that does not compromise on taste but is also careful to stay well under the 7% abv barrier. Certain sensory qualities keep this offering from quite matching Alpine Duet's effortless, compelling appeal.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2010 05:50:08 | More by beagle75

Gobzilla

California

4.33/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

poured a golden orange with yellow highlights that had a finger of head and left good sticky lacing on the glass. The nose was signature alpine consisting of great pine and floral hop notes alongside some citrus grapefruit but with a good sweet malt presence on this one. like the nose the hops and pine flavors worked together but the citrus grapefruit added accents and the malts helped on the balancing act and wasn't as fruity as other alpine hop bomb offerings. the brew was medium body with a good amount of carbonation which had a citric bitter and nice slight dry finish. it drank really good and went great with their beer battered onion rings.

Serving type: on-tap

09-04-2010 08:39:49 | More by Gobzilla

WeisGuy

New York

4.83/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On-tap at the Stone Bistro on 6/29. Review from notes.

a - bright golden amber color, one-inch white head with great retention and lacing, quite clear with only minimal suspended sediment

s - big citrus and tropical fruit dominated aroma, lots of grapefruit, lemon zest, orange, mango and some pineapple, really jumps out of the glass, lighter pine resin notes with an even lighter grainy malt aroma

t - like the aroma, the taste is dominated by citrus and tropical fruits, lots of fresh grapefruit and lemon with lighter mango and pineapple flavors, the pine is more pronounced on the palate than in the aroma with heavy doses of hop oil attacking the palate, there is a light maltiness underneath the hops that give it just enough backbone, alcohol is not very noticeable at all

m - medium-bodied with slightly higher than moderate carbonation, very dry, crisp finish, light alcohol warming

d - incredibly drinkable stuff, the hops are intense but they don't wear out the palate as fast as many IPAs, alcohol is dangerously hidden, flavors are so fresh and intense that you want to keep drinking

I've been wanting to try this one for awhile now, and it just so happens that I got to have it at Stone instead of O'Brien's. This is one of the top 5 IPAs I've ever tried, and it reminds me a lot of Blind Pig and RR IPA, two of my long-standing favorites. It would be great to see Alpine put this in bottles at some point. I don't know that anyone other than RR can compete with Alpine when it comes to IPAs.

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2010 16:51:58 | More by WeisGuy

womencantsail

California

4.22/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Toronado SD

A: The pour is golden in color with a fluffy white head on tap which leaves lots of sticky lacing.

S: The nose is all grapefruit and pine with maybe just an inkling of malt coming through.

T: The flavor is what you expect from the nose. Lots of bitter grapefruit and piney hops with just a touch of malt sweetness.

M: The body is medium with a crisp carbonation and a bitter finish.

D: This is pretty much what you expect from an Alpine brewed IPA. Great hop flavors and aromas.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2010 19:59:34 | More by womencantsail

PeprSprYoFace

California

4.33/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Pizza Port Carlsbad.

Pours a clear golden color. Nice head and nice lacing.

Aroma is very nice and hoppy. Very similar to Pliny the Elder. Citrusy and Piney

Taste is also very similar to Pliny the Elder. Almost identical. Maybe a little bit of Blind Pig thrown in. Citrusy and piney hops. Very tasty.

Mouthfeel is dry and has good carb.

Overall a very tasty IPA. Easy to drink

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2010 02:22:36 | More by PeprSprYoFace

GJ40

North Carolina

4.58/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Sampled on tap at the Toronado in San Diego.

A - Golden with good clarity and a small white head.

S - Very nice floral and citrusy aromas.

T - Loads of floral and citrusy hop flavor with very little bitterness. Some toasted malt to help support the hops. This is exactly the taste I associate with San Diego.

M - A slick and smooth consistency that helps to coat your mouth with flavor. A nice low carbonation.

D - This is a refreshing and enjoyable IPA. It would be a great every day beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2009 13:22:00 | More by GJ40

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at San Diego Brewing Co. (as a guest tap) on 7/11/09.

A - Nice sweaty glass with a clear golden/amber body and one-finger creamy off-white head that diminished to a thin veil and yielded thick patches of lace.

S - Grapefruit nose wth pine and caramel malt accents. Quite sharp and pungent overall with subtle alcohol heat. A resiny hop character emerges as it warmed up a bit.

T - Strong hop bite right off the bat with piney and resiny bitterness as well as grapefruit notes. Malt is sweet and caramely and balances the aggressive hop character. Finishes with an abundance of hop bitterness and a moderate alcohol presence.

M - Medium bodied with a syrupy, slightly carbonated mouthfeel and some oily slickness. Finishes with a lingering hop bite on the palate.

D - This is bordering on DIPA, in my opinion, just for its sheer bitterness. I'm surprised this is only 6.2%. This one packs lots of pine and resin hop bitterness with a tangy grapefruit character as well.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2009 03:52:11 | More by ffejherb

HopHead84

California

4.5/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance is orange with a 3 finger head. The head lingers for a very, very long time, and the lacing is beautiful. The aroma is very crisp. Orange pith, pineapple, and tons of grapefruit with some floral notes and pine resin. Flavor is very citrusy, that citrus being mainly grapefruit. No alcohol is noticeable in the flavor. Very little sweetness. Very dry. The finish is citrus bitterness and lingers for an extended period of time. Light bodied with good carbonation. The drinkability is insane on this one.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2009 02:40:51 | More by HopHead84

magictrokini

California

4.43/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tap at, wait for it... O'Brien's. Pours clear gold with a short, off-white head. Crisp aroma of grapefruit, pine, pepper, and perfume. Creamy, yet light mouthfeel. Hops and resin up front, but not overwhelming. More of a pink grapefruit sweetness in terms of citrus mixed well with the biscuit maltiness. Bitter and clean finish. Loved it.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2008 19:54:55 | More by magictrokini

Deuane

Pennsylvania

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

A-deep copper with an off white head that retains well and leaves spotty lace.

S-West coast all the way citrusy hops up front with supporting caramel malt sweetness.

T-A no nonsense, straight forward WC IPA! This is nothing flashy, a wonderful hop/malt vehicle into your gullet!

M-Medium-light bodied with a nice long lasting citrusy bitterness.

D-Easy to drink and delicious. I am sure O'Brien's is very happy with their name on this brew. A shining example of a WC IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

09-13-2008 07:58:22 | More by Deuane

USCTrojanBrian

Maryland

4.8/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap @ ... O'Brien's!

Awesome. Right up there with most of the Russian River IPA's and Lagunitas Hop Stoopid in the genre of refreshing, hoppy but not over the top West Coast IPA's.

Tremendous body, aroma, taste, everything. Very little to complain about, might be a bit more punchy but the overall effect is ridiculous in terms of hop flavor, aroma and refreshment.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2008 20:35:45 | More by USCTrojanBrian

tonistruth

Nevada

4/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on tap @ Stone Brewing Company Bistro in Escondido, CA

A- brilliant light orange with a 1 finger silky white head that holds well

S- simple yet pleasing hoppy citrus

T- a hop dominant brew that includes flavors of citrus, citrus rind, raw hop oils, and some spiciness from the hops, that is a sweetness to the brew but no distinguishable malt flavors

M- slick with hop bite at finish

D- another marvelous IPA from the hop wizards at Alpine, sessionable but not worth going out of your way for, save that effort for Duet ;)

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2008 02:56:55 | More by tonistruth