Valhalla - Elysian Brewing Company

LordChesterfield

Oregon

3.98/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is exactly what it sounds like. It is slightly red in appearance and has all the great qualities of a red ale and an IPA together at last. The flavor is not particularly complex but has deep notes of a red ale malt with the extra bitterness of an IPA. There don't seem to be any floral characteristics and you can definitely taste the alcohol at 7.5% which I consider to be a fault. It's quite sessionable and coming in 20oz pints can be quite intoxicating. I enjoy it but only drink it when nothing else is available. It's not interesting enough or delicious enough for me to order on a regular basis.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2013 01:45:59 | More by LordChesterfield

sam_bliss

Washington

4.2/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bomber into glass

Hazy red-orange buried under a thick bubbling frothy orange-cream head that sticks around for a while. As it dissipates at a geologically slow pace, splotchy foam lacing is left on the side of the glass. Satsuma and tangerine scents lend sweetness to the fresh, hoppy aroma. The clean smell of pale malts reminds me almost of pilsner malt.
The taste starts with some stone fruit and a smidgen of roasted, unmated barley. Some creaminess balances the puckering Sirachi Ace hops that present their lemony bitterness halfway into the experience and don't relent until well after the swallow. The dark Special B malt touted by the bottle description provides some prune-like caramelized sweetness that keeps the bitter fruitiness of the Citra hops in check. The body is a bit fuller than the average India Pale.

The malt mix adds some redness to the pale malts but this Red IPA is much more IPA than Red. I kind of expected these exciting hop flavors from Elysian.

Valhalla has a lot more going on than most American Ambers, especially as far as fruit-balanced bitterness goes. If you like Torpedo of Sierra Nevada this is something to try out. I am not a big fan of Ninkasi's Believer Double Red, but if that had more malt, body, and flavor, it would be Elysian's Valhalla.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 01:54:01 | More by sam_bliss

T-Luv

Alaska

2.13/5  rDev -44.8%
look: 1.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.25

A- a mellow amber glow does not a "red" make. Also, the sediment was a bit much for me. There was too much dead yeast at the bottom of my nonic that I couldn't finish.
S- nothing to exciting. A bit of citra hop aroma, nothing special.
T- despite the other shortcomings, it tasted pretty great, which is all that matters right? Very balanced. Quite dry with a little fruitiness.
M- very creamy for the style, which I didn't mind at first, but again, the sediment just got to me on this one.
Overall, an ok beer, but ultimately another disappointing offering from this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 04:05:38 | More by T-Luv

beertunes

Washington

3.45/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Served in straight pint glass. If you're gonna call a beer a "Red IPA" I'd expect it to be red, not the typical orange-amber so common in the style. The beer had less than 1/4 inch of white head that that had moderate retention and light lacing.

The aroma was a nice blast of citrusy hops, with just a slight hint of malt in the background. There may have been a touch of floral notes, but I wasn't quite sure. Again, citrusy hops dominated the tongue, but there was a malt smoothness at the back that wasn't apparent on the nose. That slight suggestion of floral tones was also there.

The body was the typical medium of the style, and enjoyable. Drinkability was good, I'd certainly drink a few more of these. Overall, a pretty nice take on the style. Red, this brew is not. Tasty, it certainly is. Worth your time when you see it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2013 02:38:30 | More by beertunes

beergoot

Colorado

3.74/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Medium amber colored body with a thick, chunky white head. Vibrant pine aroma; spicy. Bold malt sweetness combined with an equally prominent hop bitterness. Medium bodied, thick and chewy; syrupy.

A nice, bold IPA. Heavy presence with the malt and hops with the alcohol noticeable but definitely taking a background role (taste-wise). Try one if a wild and crazy IPA is what you're looking for.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 02:35:52 | More by beergoot

hreb

Washington

3.65/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Elysian's Fall entry in their Manic IPA series, Valhalla Red IPA, pours with a huge yeasty and flowery aroma. For a "red" IPA the beer is surprisingly hazy and pale orange. Flavor is totally crisp with big alpha hops and a super dry aftertaste. While I love the aroma, the bitterness is a little harsh for my tastes. Still, the hop profile is pretty unique (Sorachi Ace and Citra, according to the label), so hardcore hopheads will probably find this more enjoyable. For me, probably my least favorite of the Manic IPA series.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 03:11:42 | More by hreb

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Thanks again to Eric for sharing these 3 Elysian hoppy offerings with me. I enjoyed this one the most. Poured into a tulip, the brew appears a a hazed copper color with 2 fingers worth of yellowish froth. A solid display of retention to the cap with a webby pattern of lace falling down the wall.

The smell is fruity and bright with a clean hop and alcohol inclusion that blends together nicely with suggestions of rinds, earth, herbs, pith and zest. Pretty much all the citrus-like hop inclusion one could ask for in a standard smelling hoppy brew.

The flavor reiterates the nose with characteristcis of herbs and bright zesty rind components. It gets a bit catty as more sips are taken with some fruit elements like grapefruit being noticed in the aftertaste.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. Overall a pretty decent brew that I wouldnt mind having again sometime. Of the 3 hoppy elysian brews i got to try, I enjoyed this one the most. Thanks again Eric.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 15:32:36 | More by stakem

jtierney89

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

great amber ale. drinks like an amber and an ipa. caramel and toasty readiness. piney and citrus rind bitterness. balance is impeccable and the beer is extremely drinkable. medium mouthful, coats the back of the tongue, faintly slick mouthful . big hop presence throughout

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 06:46:37 | More by jtierney89

Gavage

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: pours a reddish amber color with a two finger head. Mild lace develops during the session.

Smell: caramel and fruit sweetness rises to the nose

Taste: caramel, bready malt, ripe fruit, and a decent bitterness creates a well balanced ale.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer. Light crispness at the start, smoother and a bit dry at the finish.

Overall: a slower sipping beer but has a refreshing quality to it. This red ale has a nice bitterness that makes it interesting.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 23:49:11 | More by Gavage

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

4.24/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

This is a beer that treads the line between IPA and red ale. The citrus hops ( the Sorachi is a big part) really add a big freshness to the proceedings while the malt hods it down. There is a bitterness to the finish but the beer seems quite balanced.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 01:25:46 | More by canucklehead

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a slightly hazy, dark golden orange color with tangerine edges and a two finger yellowish beige head that very slowly settles into a thick, lasting ring. Streaks and chunks of soapy lacing left behind.

Floral, citrus hop aroma with resinous pine and a sweet malt presence. Hints of grass and sticky pine needle along with citrus and tropical fruit notes, notably grapefruit, mango and orange peel. Underneath, there some sweet caramel malt as well as hints of toffee, biscuit and hazelnut. Malts stronger than expected in the nose but they don't really interfere with the hops too much.

Medium bodies with a crisp, bitter hop bite that provides some earthy dryness which lingers over the citrus and sweet malts into a dry finish. Not as complex as the nose suggests with dry, sticky hops and only subtle citrus/tropical fruit notes. Grassy with bitter pine needle and minimal grapefruit and orange peel flavor. Also, the malt backbone is stronger than the nose would have you believe with hints of caramel, toffee and hazelnut. Faint roasted presence as well the dominant flavor is still hop bitterness. Decently balanced but the hop profile is a bit one dimensional and the malt flavors are a bit strong for my liking.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 06:07:51 | More by corby112

Profchaos20

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bomber, served in a tulip.

A - Pours a hazy amber with some orange hues, attractive looking beer. A two finger fluffy white head, that leaves tons of lacing and some chucks of foam along the side of the glass.

S - Citrus and mango hops pop and dominate the nose, lots of grapefruit. Smells awesome to a hop head like me. Notes of orange, pine, and resin.

T - Sweet malts upfront, citrus and grapefruit in the middle, finishes with some bitterness at the end. Not as bitter as would be expected from the aroma. Mango and orange notes, bitterness lingers on the palate.

M - Medium body, medium to low carbonation, pretty smooth.

O - Very good IPA from Elysian, I would definitely buy again.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 03:58:55 | More by Profchaos20

Docer

Washington

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

Appearance: (4.0)

- A very lightly cloudy orange brew, b ut can still see through the brew. Nice whispers of fizzy velvety head settles to a light dusting over the brew with a bubbly ring around the edges. Looks like a solid west coast IPA to me, and really isn't all that red.

Smell: (3.5)

- Zesty pine resin, fruit, and bright citrus character in the hops. The malt is somewhat hidden but has aromas of roasted sugars and grain. Bit of a bready touch as well.

Taste: (4.5)

- This IPA is full of balance. Wonderful bitter dry hops are noticed mid-drink, and there is a perfectly balanced blend of bready sweet malt that isn't at all overbearing. Nice citrus and fruity finish hops as well. This is a solid brew and a must try.

Mouth Feel: (4.0)

- Nice carbonation and dryness to this medium to full bodied brew. It has a nice light creamy feel to it and is a tad chewy, and quite drying and cloying. Overall solid.

Overall: (4.0)

- Solid, balanced, well hopped, and super good to drink. Elysian has been doing some great things since the expansion, and this is just another fine example of it. Cheers to kickin' out so many wonderful selections of craft beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 03:53:09 | More by Docer

microbrewlover

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This brew pours a dirty yellow/copper color with a giant three finger head. Some of the frothiness lasts until the end and thick lacing remains on the glass throught. Strong carbonation is present too.

The smell hits hard with piney, peppery and citrus hops. There is also a dank wheat/wet hay smell along with the smell of grapefruit, mint and tobacco and other fruits; possibly apple and pears.

Strong hop presence is in the taste at the beginning and the end. Hop resins lay thickly on the tounge after swallowing. The middle, between the hops, has a taste of biscut, rosted malts and mint.

The mouthfeel is thick and biscut like. Chewy and filling.

Overall this is a great IPA. I don't know why it is billed as a Red Ale since it does not pour red and has little of the malty taste associcated with the Red Ale style. This is a hop bomb and should be tried, and very likely enjoyed, by IPA lovers.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 22:21:42 | More by microbrewlover

CA_Infidel2o9

4.38/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bomber to a sam adams cup

A- amber? 1" fluffy white head

S- spicey, floral, citrus, piny, mint, dank hops, all in one beautiful sniff

T- funky dank hops, intense grapefruit lingering bitterness

M- medium body, crisp carbonation

O- Hop Bomb! Even as i poured it, i'm smacked in the face with spicey hops that tingle the nose. Once i'm able to take a full nose full, i'm greated with so many different aromas, this thing wreaks of a variety of hops. Sweet malts sneak their way through, but it's all glorious hops here. If your new to IPA's, you might want to start with something a little less intense. This thing is a beast and should be bought with caution. Though i like it alot, i can't help wondering why it's called a red ipa. It's a light amber and is so potent, it should be categorized as a DIPA. Either way it's a great brew and a force to be reckoned with. I like to think of myself as someone that has been around the block, more then a few times with this style. Yet my senses have been cleared and the unrelenting bitternes continues to burn the back of my throat.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 23:06:21 | More by CA_Infidel2o9

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.49/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

on tap at the industry - served in tulip

Hazed reddish pour with a one-finger crop of beige head. Wispy retention, leaving spotty lacing littered about the glass.

Intense pine hoppiness in the nose, resinous and aggressive. Alcoholic phenols, bready/fruity malted sweetness with caramel.

Assertive pine hop bitterness with sticky resin and a touch of grapefruit. Bitter and dry throughout, meshed with a bready malt backbone with caramel sweetness. Touches of fruit towards the finish, with sticky pine and alcohol.

Medium body, well carbonated, sticky and a touch rough on the tongue. Pretty intense hoppy red, although the pine and alcohol combo was a little much after a while.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2012 14:39:22 | More by xnicknj

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to 5000 for sending me this bottle.

The beer pours a dirty yellow/copper color with a large white head. The aroma is classic IPA. I get some nice pineapple and stone fruit notes, as well as some pine and biscuit malt. The flavor is very similar. The pine and orange notes really come through strongly, as does a low amount of bitterness. There is a nice malt backbone to the beer as well. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 04:16:35 | More by Mora2000

oberon

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

7.5%ABV. per bottle label.Poured into an imperial nonic a burnt orange tinged copper color with a thinner sticky white head atop.Alot of fresh hops in the nose,citric and pretty sharp hoppiness over top of a sweet biscuit base.I don't pick up and of the "pinch" of roast on the palate but I do get alot of citric and grassy hops,very fresh tasting,a hefty sweet biscuit base holds up well to the hops and lingers in the finish.Seems to be more IPA than amber/red but whatever it is it's pretty damn good.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 21:21:44 | More by oberon

Braz

Washington

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Parkway Tavern. Amber topaz color. Good white head that leaves nice splotching. Very citrusy fragrance. Taste notes are clean and citrusy. Grapefruit with hoppy bitter notes following and some citrus zest also. Good all around. Borders on IPA to me.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2012 15:14:21 | More by Braz

harrymel

Washington

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Don't think this was a one off, just a randomly brewed.

Mine is a bottle that states 7.5% ABV, not 6.75%

Pours a rusty orange with brilliant clarity and a sheet of soapy light cream foam. Smells of mango, pineapple, resin, bell pepper, teen spirit and some grapefruit. Taste is like a hi IBU ESB, the Special B adds such a nice kick to the malts. The hops are complementary with a good grapefruit, resin and vinous character. Medium body with light carb and a wet finish. Nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 05:33:42 | More by harrymel

Scotchboy

Idaho

3.93/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap @ Bier:Thirty, Bound Crossing. Served in a pint nonic.

A: Lightly hazed gold, light carbonation and faint lacing.

S: Pretty decent nose with orange and tropical fruit, grapefruit...hints of pine, pretty floral and juicy.

T: Taste follows the nose, a bit more grapefruit essence and bitterness here, with moderate tropical fruits and piney notes, faint biscuity quality here as well; dry, clingy finish.

MF: Light to medium/light feel with adequate carbonation and decent dryness and bitterness. Spot on for an IPA in this respect.

O: Pretty typical IPA but extra-ordinary as a hoppy Amber IMO; enjoyable, pretty easy drinking, hoppy but safe. Less caramel and maltiness come through on this one than I'm used to from Amber/Red Ales.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2012 15:58:07 | More by Scotchboy

SeamusDoyle

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an orange brown with medium head and nice lacing. Fruity aroma; grapefruit, strawberries, and tropical fruit. Same for the flavour with nice full malts and slight bitter finish brown, with hops receding well into the background. Sweet on the nose.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 18:38:20 | More by SeamusDoyle

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.23/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Dogfish Head pint glass. Pours a medium golden amber with a fine two finger off-white head with sheets of lacing. Aroma evident on pouring, pine and citrus hops, pineapple. Flavor of orange and grapefruit juice and rind, pine and citrus hops and a pleasant sweet malt body. Finish of lingering citrus and grassy hops. Medium bodied with some creaminess. This had a perfect balance of malt and hops for me and an interesting phenolic flavor that kept me sipping. I liked this quite a bit.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 05:22:41 | More by LiquidAmber

snaotheus

Washington

4.15/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle poured into a large mug

Pours pretty coppery amber, sightly cloudy, with a nice fluffy white head. Head fades down to huge clumps and leaves big chunky lacing along the sides. Lots of visible carbonation. Smell is pretty hops and slight malt...very floral and bright.

Taste is hoppy floral bitterness, some nice honey sweetness, some nice slightly roasty malt flavor. Some straw, some pine bitterness too.

Mouthfeel is light and fluffy. This is a nice, tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 23:18:44 | More by snaotheus

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.78/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle opened on 10.15.12

A - Pours a cloudy, dark orange with a two inch yellow-light tan head that has foamy retention.

S - Nice hoppy pine, citrus and tropical fruit.

T - Earthy grass, bitter dark citrus.

D - Creamy, heavy mouth with solid carbonation.

O - Smells tropical, but tastes dark and bitter.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 07:06:06 | More by HuskyinPDX