Illumination Double IPA - Central Waters Brewing Company

B33R501

Pennsylvania

2.85/5  rDev -30.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

We'll have to call this "Tale of two beers".

Very disappointment considering this is on my favorites list from last year. But that was me drinking it from 6 - 10 months of age, when this beer had mellowed into a beautiful vanilla malted bright hoppy beer with a very nice bitterness. But that's a review for another day. Sometimes a hoppy beer needs time, at least for me.

The previous reviewer nailed it. Pretty gold to orange pour, great smelling citrus hops, but what happened to the taste. Way too bitter with a horrible, metallic finish.

Sometimes it's such a fine line between a great beer and a lousy one. The Port Mongo I enjoyed today is damn close to the perfect West Coast IPA. This needs alot of work. Then again I've said before when it comes to this double west coast ipa style you have the Plinys, Stone Ruination, Racer X, and Port Brewing.

So this remains a favorite from last year, this year I'll pass, at least until July or August.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2012 19:34:46 | More by B33R501

Hopmarc

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

05-21-2013 17:11:00 | More by Hopmarc

mendvicdog

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -14.4%

05-21-2013 13:26:34 | More by mendvicdog

duceswild

Maryland

4/5  rDev -2.2%

05-21-2013 04:55:31 | More by duceswild

barrelofbastard

California

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

05-18-2013 20:19:35 | More by barrelofbastard

BRLockwood

Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +16.1%

05-18-2013 20:12:34 | More by BRLockwood

Roger85

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2.2%

05-18-2013 02:22:53 | More by Roger85

josephwa

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

05-15-2013 04:46:16 | More by josephwa

smitty5245

California

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

05-15-2013 03:54:01 | More by smitty5245

hopoilcrazy

Tennessee

3.54/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

50th review! Thanks, to Shagens for the extra!

A - Straw colored and slightly hazy. Small big bubble head

S - Gummy sort of mint. Sweet. Big "mixed fruit" sort of notes. Hay-ish. Hop oil

T - Viscous sort of sweetness. Notes of chartreuse, orange, tequila, vanilla. A good amount going on, but it is subdued.

M - Good body, not too heavy. Alcohol is totally in check for 9%.

Overall, pretty good. Well crafted, but in the ever growing world of DIPA's it is not that memorable

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 07:27:26 | More by hopoilcrazy

buzzy

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.2%

05-11-2013 20:54:35 | More by buzzy

tclang

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +22.2%

05-11-2013 14:31:41 | More by tclang

anticipation23

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +10%

05-10-2013 23:09:50 | More by anticipation23

ajzy

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +22.2%

05-10-2013 11:30:59 | More by ajzy

cadaugherty

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -14.4%

05-08-2013 00:09:09 | More by cadaugherty

Number3red

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10%

05-06-2013 01:11:05 | More by Number3red

koes0024

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%

05-05-2013 01:38:24 | More by koes0024

joeseppy

Illinois

3.29/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

Beautiful cascading copper rush pour effect with a generous one inch fluffy white head.

Aroma a bit of a letdown--not much for me except muted tropical fruit.

Taste is very one dimensional. All bitter white grapefruit with mediocre malt filling. Nothing even remotely sweet for balance.

Medium body and decent carbonation. Bitterness lingers.

Taste and smell are everything and this is average at best. This should not be touted in 4 pks almost as if its an exclusive find. Store I purchased this from has always been fair in pricing, but this comes in @ $11/4PK...overpriced IMO. I could only drink one and then move on. I will not purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 12:47:14 | More by joeseppy

Casey3236

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

05-03-2013 23:11:00 | More by Casey3236

shagens

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

05-01-2013 22:01:42 | More by shagens

eschmitt777

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

05-01-2013 01:47:34 | More by eschmitt777

mnphish

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

05-01-2013 00:52:36 | More by mnphish

drummermattie02

Texas

4/5  rDev -2.2%

04-30-2013 10:26:32 | More by drummermattie02

jimmah120

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -2.2%

04-30-2013 06:23:51 | More by jimmah120

Davihaw

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -14.4%

04-30-2013 01:02:24 | More by Davihaw