Dragon Series: Blue Dragon
Alley Kat Brewing Company

Dragon Series: Blue DragonDragon Series: Blue Dragon
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From:
Alley Kat Brewing Company
 
Alberta, Canada
Style:
Imperial IPA
ABV:
7.5%
Score:
89
Avg:
3.98 | pDev: 9.3%
Reviews:
11
Ratings:
31
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 17, 2016
Added:
Nov 22, 2011
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  3
Columbus single hop Double IPA.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by artemh:
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Rated by artemh from Canada (AB)

4/5  rDev +0.5%

Dec 25, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.35 by Tharanger from Canada (AB)

Mar 17, 2016
 
Rated: 3.9 by Tivlavrie from Canada (AB)

Mar 06, 2016
Photo of Bunman3
Reviewed by Bunman3 from Canada (AB)

3.94/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Another lovely hopped up DIPA from Alley Kat. Columbus hops provide an interesting layer of earthy resin to a solid malt backbone. The intense IBU factor is handled nicely - the finish is a dry blood orange - hints of Grand Marnier without the sweetness. Definitely a treat for those who love their IPAs!
Feb 23, 2016
 
Rated: 4.02 by goalie35 from Canada (AB)

Jan 26, 2016
 
Rated: 3.68 by Beervana from Canada (BC)

Jan 17, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by Howlader from Canada (AB)

Jul 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by rogerdandy from Canada (AB)

Apr 09, 2014
Photo of CalgaryFMC
Reviewed by CalgaryFMC from Canada (AB)

3.68/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
My second foray into an Alley Dragon Series single-hop DIPA, Columbus is perhaps an odd choice, known for its spicy bitterness and usually used in this capacity as a player behind the scenes doing the heavy lifting rather than as the main star of the show. But hey, why not. I figure this one is going to be bold, bitter, and aggressive and if you're a hophead you can probably see the merit. I was rather surprised at how light the color is, a dark gold hue with maybe a twinkle of bronze in there, with copious matte white foam. Aroma was immediately dank and weedy, green and spicy, with individually discernible elements including bitter grapefruit rind and something sweet like fermented apples. I also get some malty, toffee-type notes. Palate is medicinal bitter grapefruit and orange peel, a bold floral spice, herbal tincture, and an intense pine sap that builds and becomes more camphorous and aggressive as you go. Sometimes I acclimatize to a DIPA and get some sweet flavors over time but not here. This one stayed pretty piney and medicinal. The malts do provide a cotton candy or honey-type sweetness and I even get a sweet dough vibe that is unusual for the style. Mouthfeel is soapy and only moderately chewy, smooth enough from a texture standpoint but with the herbal bitters carrying through right into the finish. I am thinking about that preparation used to relieve chest congestion, Vicks Vapo-Rub. As predicted, Columbus on its own does not yield much in the way of juicy or fruity flavors. Lots of bitter rind, herbs, and generic peppery spice.
Feb 09, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Duggyb from Canada (AB)

Feb 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Exeter from Canada (AB)

Jan 25, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by YamagamiTravis from Canada (BC)

Dec 30, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Kmat10 from Canada (AB)

Dec 10, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by FadetoBock from Canada (AB)

Dec 09, 2013
Photo of andrenaline
Reviewed by andrenaline from Canada (ON)

4.2/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Huge props to my BA bro jemcgrath27 for yet another super score...

A - Pours a slightly hazy copper colour with a golden hue, finger of soapy beige head with some retention and sporadic lacing.

S - Nice soapy citrus, touch of pine, nice caramel undertones with hints of malted milk and earthy cedar.

T - The soapy citrus is heightened with the earthy cedar and pine hop notes, super flavourful yet surprisingly not as bitter as the nose implied. The bready caramel malt lingers on the palette alongside some fresh lemon rind.

M - Lighter bodied bringing about a creamy smooth texture, that finishes surprisingly wet.

O - This is a tasty DIPA and highly recommended to anyone who can get their hands on a bottle. The bitterness is nicely balanced and it boasts a huge hop flavour, and the ABV is well concealed. Super stoked to get a chance to try this one.
Mar 26, 2012
 
Rated: 5 by mcpwn from Canada (AB)

Feb 09, 2012
Photo of DaPan
Reviewed by DaPan from Canada (ON)

4.55/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a slightly cloudy copper color. Very little head, though a sticky ring of foam remains around the side. Sticky beer coats the side of the glass.

Grassy and piney hops on the nose, exciting aroma!

Very balanced tasting. Really impressive balance between bitter hop flavor, lemons and smooth malt backbone.

Very enjoyable ale.
Feb 04, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by elricorico from Canada (AB)

Feb 03, 2012
Photo of joemcgrath27
Reviewed by joemcgrath27 from Canada (AB)

3.97/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - a clear dark golden, one finger of head head dissipated to a respectable lace ring
S - medium hop aromas of citrus, spice, and some earthiness, with sweet woody and toasty accents, well balanced aromas
T - definitely a hop bomb, big spicy and dry earthy flavour, some pine resin and grapefruit rind, slightly boozy, with toasty malt in the background
M - medium body with a BIG bitter kick, living up to the 100+ IBU claim on the label
O - being a hop head I'm always partial to a DIPA, and the columbus single hopping make this a rarely seen unique flavour in these parts, not my favourite DIPA but a must try if you can get your hands on it
Jan 14, 2012
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Reviewed by EnemyWithin from Canada (ON)

3.25/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Blue Dragon Double IPA from Alley Kat. Into Unibroue glass on Dec 11, 2011.

Appearance 3.5
Golden yellow, clear. Less than ½ inch white head that dissipates into a thin covering.

Aroma 3.5
Mild citrus, esp grapefruit. Get some sweetness of the malt. Not overly aromatic.

Taste 3
More bitterness than citrus flavour from the hops. Does have notes of mild citrus with faint pineyness. Midway through strong bitterness dominates and is contrasted by sweeter crystal malt. Very average tasting. Wondering if hop fading has affected it at all, although the bottle is not more than a few weeks old.

Mouthfeel 3
Mild to moderate thickness with mild/moderate carbonation. Nothing special.

Overall 3.5
Average double IPA. Seems more like IPA to me. Not a bad offering, but not something I would have again.
Not Recommend.
Dec 27, 2011
Dragon Series: Blue Dragon from Alley Kat Brewing Company
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 31 ratings