The Immortal IPA - Elysian Brewing Company

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.78/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Wow, this is just great beer! Poured at a good temperature with a foamy, nice sized, thick, cream-colored head that lasted all the way down and lots of lace. Color is a clear amber with loads of bubble trails. Aroma is malt, hop, grapefruit, a little resin. Flavor's like nose, but really, really nice - fairly dry up front, a little carbonation works well with the bitter and the hint of sweet follows up for good balance. Body is excellent, full, chewy and in perfect coordination with flavor. Finish is like flavor, of average length, a hint boozy, and eminently drinkable. Got to get back out to Seattle. Well done guys!

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2012 03:05:06 | More by drpimento

diddly

New York

4.63/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle

Pours a hazy yellow with a white head, leaving some lacing on the glass as it goes down.

Smells of hops, but not overpowering - seems to have a bit of that cat urine aroma going on, which is certainly not a bad thing in this type. Also a bit of a grassy smell.

Taste is great - tastes like the hops are near the fresh side, which I wasn't expecting, but is always a pleasant surprise. Nice maltiness to balance the beer - not overly bitter at all.

Mouthfeel is pretty well balanced, but a bit towards the bitter side - obviously it's an IPA, so again, not really a negative.

Overall, a very good IPA, with a changing character as it warms up - will definitely look for again.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 06:12:27 | More by diddly

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4.6/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer pours with a frothy, slightly creamy in consistency, pale tan colored head that is three fingers thick. The beer is well carbonated and is a pretty clear dark copper color. As I work my way through a couple of small glasses of this beer. the head, as it falls forms layers of lacing and a rocky texture. Ah the aroma is a hop lovers dream, it is full of fruity citrus notes like tangerines, lots of grapefruit and perhaps some apricot as well. The harder herbal & pine like notes are quite muted here; this just has a pure concentrated hoppy fruit character. As I drink this beer the aroma picks up notes of alcohol, but still remains full of citrus fruit. The initial aroma is about as perfect as it gets, but, while still enjoyable, does not quite carry through as I work my way through this 22oz bottle.

The beer is at first light on the palate up front, but quickly picks up a mouth-coating light fullness that really makes this quite enjoyable. The beer is on the dry side for an IPA (especially given many of the sticky examples out there), but there is some definite malt character here; a sort of dry toasted malt note that is really evident in the finish along with a light caramel sweetness. Ok enough with the peripherals, yes this is indeed an IPA; the hop character is dominant in the taste from start to finish. At first a lingering bitter, herbal & pine-like note dominates the flavor profile of this biting beer. As it warms up a bit and interacts with the air it begins to soften a bit and the citrus notes begin to become more evident as the sweetness from the malt is able to peek through. There are soft notes of bergamot, definite grapefruit, astringent almost grassy mint-like pine (yes that is all one flavor), notes of sweet apricots, and juicy tangerines.

What an enjoyable beer, it is just a full experience; between the austere malt character, the citrusy hop notes and the astringent herbal hop character coupled with the ample bitterness. This is just an all around enjoyable IPA, which is really hitting the spot right now. This beer is incredibly tasty and has me planning a trip to the Northwest sometime in the not so distant future.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2005 21:39:48 | More by Gueuzedude

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Slightly hazy, golden-tan with orange highlights, topped by a densely creamy off-white head that has excellent retention and leaves a ring of lace at every sip throughout the glass. Outstanding appearance! The aroma offers a bright, nicely sweet caramel malt with some fruity notes (some apricot) and a light pine and citrus hoppiness. Very clean - very impressive. The body is medium-full with a limited carbonation that gives a luxurious, almost chewy, creaminess! 3 for 3! The flavor offers some bright hops up front, coat-tailed by a boldly sweet malt. As it crosses the palate caramel notes emerge from the malt and the hop flavors show a more citrus character. Extremely well balanced! A superbly finesse show of malt & hops! 4 for 4! The finish is quite smooth; with flavors of hop and malt wrestling at the front, falling quickly into a gentle, crystal tinged maltiness. Very nice. Quite exceptionally done. Possibly more APA than IPA because of the malty balance, but easily one of the premier American pale ales regardless. Well worth seeking out!

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2002 15:24:18 | More by NeroFiddled

BerkeleyBeerMan

California

4.5/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Light honey amber color. Mix of golds and yellows. Very beautiful. This beer glows in the glass. The head pours a foamy off-white 1/2 inch. Big bubbles make themselves known.

Smell: Cereal grains. Biscuit. Spices. Squash and pumpkin are also present. Hints of vanilla bean and cookie and even slight banana esters. Lightly roasted malts. The hops are mildly floral and spicy. English tea flavors emerge.

Taste: The taste is sweet overall. The hops provide balance. The malts are the dominant force in this beer. I taste tea, sugar and sweet cookie pastries. A taste reminiscent of a ginger cookie. The vegetal hops are lightly interspersed with floral flavors. Overall, the taste is very delicate.

Mouthfeel: Very light for on the tongue for IPA (no cloying bitterness, but the body is full. The malts are present. The hops and malts blend nicely. The finish is clean and slightly dry.

Overall: A very unique IPA. It has many qualities of an english IPA but it is also wise in the craft of american brewing. The ingredients are terrific. You can tell this blend took effort and forethought. Immortal IPA is very smooth, enjoyable and drinkable.

P.S. You can't beat an ABV this low when the beer is this good

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 09:04:40 | More by BerkeleyBeerMan

Jerico

New York

4.47/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Whooohoo, this is a beauty of a beer! I am writing this review from memory, so it's a bit informal. I was out for some exercise and popped in to dba (NYC) for a refresher before heading home, and I found this on cask ($6). It is hoppy and punchy, but not very fruity, so it should easily please the hophead contingent! It leaves a thick lacing on the glass, and takes a while to get through - a nice one to enjoy (especially after a nice workout!).

Well done, Elysian - I'll be hunting this one out again!

Serving type: cask

07-29-2008 01:32:18 | More by Jerico

GClarkage

California

4.43/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

10/31/05- Purchased at John's Marketplace in Portland, OR.

Presentation- 22oz bottle with no freshness info. Poured into my 24oz glass mug.

Appearance- Light amber/dark golden colored pour. Half inch magnificent creamy white head. Very nice patches of lace left along the sides. About as perfect as you can get for an IPA.

Smell- Lightly fruity and bitter scented brew. Maybe some peaches besides the normal grapefruit scent.

Taste- Sugary candy sweet flavored hops. Nice fruity taste as well. Lots of grapefruit as well as a resinous pine flavor. Malt comes in decent as well.

Mouthfeel- Resinous and a bit chewy. Creamy as well. About perfect carbonation level.

Drinkability- West Coast IPA at it's finest. One of my top 10 IPA's for sure. Extremely well rounded. Worth tracking down.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2005 22:19:13 | More by GClarkage

Kendo

New York

4.43/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A: Poured into a Sam Smith's nonic. Body is a clear golden-amber wtih a half-finger off-white head. Good lace at the top of the glass, not so much on the way down.

S: Not too strong, but clean -- citrus (orange peel and grapefruit) and a hint of pine.

T: Pale (think biscuity or cracker-like) and caramel malt is followed by a nice hop bite, with lingering citrus and pine. Especially pine -- but it's not overpowering or palate-shredding at all. As it warms the malt body seems almost fruity -- or is that lemony/citrusy fruityness coming from the hops? Either way, there's a nice balance between hops and malt, and the lingering piney bitterness doesn't destroy the tastebuds as some western IPAs tend to do. Balance is the key here.

M: A tad lighter than medium bodied with a slightly creamy feel.

D: Excellent. Clean but flavorful. Went down real easy.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2008 20:17:18 | More by Kendo

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.4/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I have a taste for hops today and lots of them, so I thought I'd pop the cap on this impressive looking bomber from the Pacific Northwest. Heavily orange-accented amber with millions of suspended particles. I don't see 'bottle-conditioned' anywhere, but they must be yeast. The head is generous in size, rich cream in color and decently firm and tacky. I'm beginning to see sheets of lace; let's hope they stick around.

The website says that this is a Pacific NW interpretation of an English IPA, but the nose says otherwise. What English brewer uses such copious amounts of American hops? Orange and peach are more prominent than grapefruit (yes, I know that peach isn't a citrus fruit).

Of course they could be referring to a strong malt presence, but I'll have to wait for my first taste to assess that. Right now I'm admiring the stiff mesa of foam that is slowly descending in the center of the glass and the thick rings of lace that are keeping watch over it.

This is a nicely bitter-hoppy IPA with plenty of hop zing and with a substantial malt presence backing it up. This is my kind of well-balanced; that is, the hop side of the scale is noticeably heavier. The grapefruitiness is more prominent on the palate than it was in the nose and some pine comes to the fore as well. The more I drink, the more of a statement the sweetish caramel malt makes.

If Elysian cranked up the malt, hops and ABV by 50%, this would make a kickin' DIPA. Actually, I prefer my IPAs more intensely hoppy than this, but it's still an excellent rendition of the style, even if I don't get the 'English' reference. The body/mouthfeel, thanks to all the malt, is plenty viscous and is creamysmooth.

"The Immortal" may not quite be immortal, but here's hoping that it has a long, healthy life. It is, undoubtedly, a well-crafted IPA, 'English', 'Pacific NW' or otherwise. Recommended for hopheads and lovers of (sorta) well-balanced IPAs in general.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2004 22:01:29 | More by BuckeyeNation

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.4/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Besmirched goldenrod. Small, yellow dusted whitish top of fair foam. Exquisite lacing in patchy sheeting.

Clean, soft, aroma of orangey/grapefruit citric spruce pine needles.

Rounded hoppy taste with a nice balanced front and middle. Malts keep a nice sweet side to its overall. A toasted surge gains control therein and sticks for the duration of the entire ride while a prevalent hop flavor provides some significant piney flavors. Finish is a spectacular blaze of firey hop qualities with leafy/pulpy texture, a surging, controlled bitterness and drying bite, with a complex array of pinewood bark, needles, and oils mixing with glazes of citrusy impressions adding nudges at the corners of the palate with orange, grapefruit, peach, pineapple, and lemon. Beautiful finish with a very nicely handled balance and bitterness that doesn't quite blow away all factors of taste and palate.

Feel is well rounded, smoothly accurate and comforting for an IPA and its overall drinkability with a slippery medium body and finely placed, fairly easy going bitterness. As it warms this becomes one hell of a beer. It really gains a respectful amount of body, texture, hop action, and overall flavor ride.

A gem of a brew from the folks at Elysian.

A another big West 'Cloudy' Coast thanks to cvschaller for the many samples!

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2006 00:42:22 | More by tavernjef

NJpadreFan

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Elysian- "The Immortal" IPA

Thanks go out to RustyDiamond for this 1.

A- Bright golden orange with a big frothy head. Thick sticky lacing down my Sam Adams glass.
S- Smooth citrus and caramel.
T- Thick vanilla caramel malt with a touch of buttery toffee blended evenly with a semi-sweet citrus; grapefruit and orange rind hop.
M- Thick malt with a nice sweet (not overly sweet) citrus hop bite.

Overall- This was as good so good! Very smooth and very well balanced. I only hear good things about Elysian and now I see (or taste) why!!

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2008 16:13:29 | More by NJpadreFan

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.4/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

An extra from Rorygilmore, cheers Rick!

Pours an effervescent gold with 3+ fingers of pearl white head, plus a few floaties. Very good head retention & lacing

S: Citrussy hops & biscuitty malt & tons of tropical fruit, they do fade after a while

T: Honey, citric hops, pears & pineapple (wet & dryad) up front. Sweet tropical fruit, sort of a melange of pina colada flavors, grapefruitty hops as this warms. Finishes with pineapple, grapefruit, a hint of pine & breadyness

Medium bodied, kind of slick with moderate carbonation & super balance

Drinks pretty easy, this is a beer that leaves you wanting more despite the style & ABV. Probably not a hophead's delight, but right in my wheelhouse!

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2008 04:34:11 | More by russpowell

thebrood1987

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

It has a darker yellow color with little suspended particles in it. It smells different than your average IPA with a sweet floral somewhat fruity smell. The taste is where this beer really shines in my opinion. You get a nice hop bite with that sweet bready malt and then ending with a citrus inside of an orange peel TART dry bitterness. Nice bitterness to this beer that isn't too overwhelming. I like that the bready malts are rich and give the body a somewhat chewy feel to it which is nice since its a lighter colored beer. You can also get some pine from the hops as well.

This is an extremely easy drinking IPA and it almost drinks like a double IPA. This kind of reminds me of a lower alcohol content version of Double Trouble by Founders. Hop heads will definitely not be disappointed by this one. The bitterness grows as you drink it and it can get pretty tart but the bready malts keep everything in check and wash the bitterness away just a little so it isn't out of balance. If you want good balance and REAL easy drinkability but still have those hop alpha acids then look no further.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2011 00:39:27 | More by thebrood1987

bitterthebetter

Oregon

4.38/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

pours a rich copper orange with creamy white sulty head

rich piney hops upfront, with smooth malt and citrus notes

surprisingly crisp and upfront with the hops showing pine, citrus and a good spicy notes on the finish

deceptively big bodied and crisp, with subtle hoppy aggresiveness, slight malt balance but its mostly hops

a great beer for the price, big, sturdy hoppiness makes it for a great 22

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2008 05:25:38 | More by bitterthebetter

Kadonny

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bomber bottle into my Sam Adams pint glass.

A: A darker golden orangy color with a huge, huge white fluffy billowy head. Too much head on a very conservative pour. Full sticky glass lacing.

S: Citrus and pine hops with a bit of funk. Bready malt sweetness.

T: Wow, not your run of the mill IPA. First hints of citrus hops with some floral notes and a bit of pine. Next comes the malt profile that really sets this beer apart. The malt is bready sweet with fruits and funk. Funk? Yes! The yeast used has a musty funk to it that really mixes well with the hops. Finish is crisp and dry. Very nice.

M: My only gripe with this beer. Way overcarbonated. Even on a very conservative pour I get a half glass of head. Other than that, mouthfeel is crisp and clean with no hint of alcohol.

D: High, real high. This is a great beer.

Overall I really loved the very unique flavors of this IPA with the funky fruit and citrus flavors. Very well done, not your run of the mill IPA. I'm definitely seeking out more of this beer. Great!

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2009 13:19:40 | More by Kadonny

mentor

Colorado

4.38/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Contract brewed by NBB. Pours a finger of off white head over a brilliant light copper liquid. Gorgeous. Smells eggs, citrus, bubblegum, spicey sugar. Nice complexity and blending of aromas. Lemon, tangerine, some wintergreen.

Tastes strong hop flavor with comparable hop bitter and a nice supporting sweet. Well balanced, fresh, and quite enjoyable. Hop flavor is orange, mild pith, lemon, and a little bit of green onion/garlick. Bitter comes across more as a dry oily than a grassy rough. Esters are mild, but some mango and tamarind (I suppose these could be from the hops). Enjoyable flavors of nice intensity. Great balance between the hop flavor and bitterness. Carbonated just a touch more sharply than my preference.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2009 07:54:32 | More by mentor

industrialswill

Washington

4.38/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Looks like murky motor oil in the glass.
Smells of hops and malt.
Citrus hop and malt flavor, very nice. This one is as good as any IPA, [for the most part].
Being forced to buy it as a 22 oz bottle for $4 will limit my consumption of this one.
Worth a try if you are a curious fan of IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2010 21:42:00 | More by industrialswill

NWer

Washington

4.38/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bomber into a pint glass.

A - Clear golden amber appearance, minimal bronze head that disipated quickly - what there was.

S - Nice pleasant grapefruit essence.

T - More grapefruit - Very smooth. Not overwhelmingly hoppy.

M - The beer feels very pleasant in the mouth and the aftertaste is very pleasant.

D -. Very drinkable. I'm thinking about having another.

This is a very easy going, pleasant IPA that works well in the summer.

Note:
"Best by 11 28 2010" printed on bottom right corner of label.
Label claims 6.3% ABV not the 6.21 noted in the description.
Label has been changed. Needs to be updated. Is there a way to do that?

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2010 22:26:03 | More by NWer

sinistersteve

Oregon

4.35/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Nice head off the poor and laced the glass nicely as I drank it's wonderful contents. Nice tan color and very cloudy, the way I feel an IPA should look. Hints of apricot in the aroma and a noticable citrus taste in the mouth. The flavor hugs the mouth and tounge very nicely, but not too overpowering. A great beer and a must have for any beer lover.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2002 19:15:53 | More by sinistersteve

erok

New York

4.35/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Gold, chill haze appaent. Pours with a white head that dissipates somewhat quickly. Nice lacing.

B - Smell, some nice aroma of hops, but not as strong on the aroma hops as I've come to enjoy. Perhaps the beer is too old. It's about 2 months out of date.

C - Love it, great malt and hop balance. The hop bitterness could stand to be a little more complex, and would benefit from additional dry-hopping to add aroma complexity to the flavor profile.

M - Medium bodied, satisfying. Neither dry nor cloying.

D - I just polished off a 22 ounce bomber without thinking about it.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2009 01:50:19 | More by erok

vicsju1991

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 0z bottle poured into pint glass
A - cloudy orangey-amber, small head that dissiaptes quickly
S - fruitey, sweet citrus,
T - delicious hoppy beer, with sweet fruity aftertaste
m - creamy and easy to drink
O - absolutely delicious ipa, not uite up there with big eye or hopdevil, but a very solid ipa

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2012 20:45:53 | More by vicsju1991

bigdeuce

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Great looking beer with a tight capped head and lacing all over the glass. Nice malty character on the nose followed by a dashing hop flavor that resonates in the back of your mouth. Very easy to drink, almost a bit creamy. Elysian is truly a west coast hop bomb that should be up in class with all the greats that come from that area. Hope to run into this one soon!

Serving type: on-tap

05-11-2012 20:02:30 | More by bigdeuce

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(Served in an American pint glass)

A- This beer has a deep bright copper color with a slight haze and a sticky thin film of off-white head. There is a good carbonation of bubbles.

S- This beer has a sweet perfume pale malt aroma followed by a green hop finish with a citrus note.

T- The taste of soft clean caramel malt has a nice fresh toasted malt note to it. There is a big green citrus hop finish that has a slight mint quality to it.

M- There is a medium light mouthfeel to this beer with no alcohol heat at all.

D- This beer has a nice big perfumy sweet malt flavor with some nice juicy hop flavors that almost play second string.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2008 02:09:19 | More by rhoadsrage

GimmeAles

Washington

4.3/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Disembogues from the bomber a semi-hazy apricot hue developing a thick, semi-rocky crown of meringue 1.5 fingers thick. Head slowly subsides to a messy morass of foam leaving a nice, thin sheeting down the glass. Each swirl of the tulip glass produces prodigious foam – a very smooth and fresh looking beer.

Aromas are of very present, yet soft citrus hops which have a cedar-like spiciness. The more standard orange peel and tangerine tartness mingle with a sweet malty middle.

Tastes like a bitter Orange cream soda; light, sweet citrus flavors and a very pleasant bitterness ride a wave of underlying white bread and caramely malts making for some awesome complexity and richness.

Mouth feel adds to the cream-soda theme as the medium carbonation keeps things very smooth. An awesome session IPA as the %6.3 ABV is easy enough to stay ahead of with a good meal to wash it down with (I had a ham and salami sandwich with slices of pepper-jack). This is a great beer for hopheads, yet approachable to a newcomer, an ale worth seeking out. Glad it’s widely available to me locally – always nice and fresh.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2006 22:14:22 | More by GimmeAles

Shiredave

New York

4.3/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big bottle - not sure if thats Zeus or Odin lounging on the label but Im sure he'd be happier looking if he had a beer instead of a lightning bolt in his hand.

Bright, clear amber color with steady carbonation. Yeast trub in the bottle stayed locked down and didnt cloud the beer. It sprts a pretty white head that left lots of lace.

Aroma is spectacular! Fresh is my best description. Not overly hoppy with mild citrus and pine forest notes but the malt aromas of wort in full boil makes this a very delicious smelling beer. Some sweet yeasty notes blend in well with the grain and hops to develop a very unique and interesting nose.

The flavor is a mellow essay in balance. Nothing is over the top as the malt hangs in throughout - mostly because it isnt over bittered as alot of west coast IPA's can be. I like the over hopped ones just fine - its just nice to have a balanced IPA that doesnt suck the moisture right out of my mouth.

Medium+ body and smooth mouthfeel with mild hop flavors set up a firmly bitter finish that isnt over dry. All this being said it didnt inspire me to think it was an exceptional IPA but the excellent balance makes it highly drinkable.
A truly great if not quite outstanding session IPA.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2008 22:51:34 | More by Shiredave