Valhalla - Elysian Brewing Company

hreb

Washington

3.65/5  rDev -5.2%
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

Gww1864

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

05-13-2013 16:24:02 | More by Gww1864

muletrane

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -15.6%

05-13-2013 12:24:28 | More by muletrane

LordChesterfield

Oregon

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
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 +9.1%
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 caramel 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

Jason1337

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

04-20-2013 04:31:55 | More by Jason1337

GrantBrennan

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.9%

03-28-2013 22:50:22 | More by GrantBrennan

nosavingsaccount

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

03-25-2013 02:08:07 | More by nosavingsaccount

mdterps

Maryland

4/5  rDev +3.9%

03-23-2013 02:16:40 | More by mdterps

SadMachine

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

03-22-2013 04:42:47 | More by SadMachine

T-Luv

Alaska

2.13/5  rDev -44.7%
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

marlinsfan4

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

03-13-2013 04:11:42 | More by marlinsfan4

beertunes

Washington

3.45/5  rDev -10.4%
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

Prost76

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

03-09-2013 15:32:28 | More by Prost76

TheNightwatchman

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.9%

03-03-2013 05:07:10 | More by TheNightwatchman

Lazaro

Washington

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

02-26-2013 01:19:58 | More by Lazaro

NickD208

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -28.6%

02-21-2013 20:31:58 | More by NickD208

bluckbeyes

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

02-20-2013 20:53:20 | More by bluckbeyes

BeerOps

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.9%

02-14-2013 03:49:38 | More by BeerOps

beergoot

Colorado

3.74/5  rDev -2.9%
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

brwnchrstpher

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.9%

02-06-2013 23:24:29 | More by brwnchrstpher

mdillon86

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

02-05-2013 00:42:35 | More by mdillon86

Chugs13

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +3.9%

02-03-2013 05:02:37 | More by Chugs13

hoppymcgee

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

01-25-2013 04:16:52 | More by hoppymcgee

fivetime

Idaho

4/5  rDev +3.9%

01-22-2013 03:02:01 | More by fivetime