Great Lakes Lake Erie Monster - Great Lakes Brewing Company

Pdiddey3d

New York

4.43/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Honored to be the fist in Western NY to review Great Lakes latest. Big props to Pizza Plant for holding an awesome DIPA tasting and being the only place in the area to score some of the Monster. On to the review:

A. Hazy amber/oragnish color with a nice one finger of white head. Not much active carbonation.

S. More fruit than hops here. Citrus, mango, peach, malts, some pine. Hops are there but not as forward as some DIPAs I've had in the past. Great aroma here, very delicious.

T. Once again surprised by what is going on here. Very well balanced for a DIPA. Sweet malts blended with some piny hops, neither one overwhelming the other and blending beautifully. There is a slight smack of booze but at 9% that no shocker. Bitter on the back of the palate. This is very tasty.

M. Is is defiantly a full bodied beer. Thick and robust. Very pleasant mouthfeel. Mild carbonation
.
D. Seeing as I had 2 of goblets back to back (1 courtesy of Great Lakes own Ryan) I would say this is a very drinkable DIAP even for the ABV. I can't wait to get my hands on a couple 4pks of this when it hits shelves here next week (hopefully).

Another SUPER solid release from Great Lakes. I have yet to taste a bad beer from this outstanding brewer. This is a very welcome addition to my favorite style of beer and I hope I can get my fill in the limited time it is available.

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2010 05:15:31 | More by Pdiddey3d

bob_d_j

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

05-22-2013 19:59:39 | More by bob_d_j

crytion

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

05-22-2013 08:05:47 | More by crytion

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

4/5  rDev -1.2%

05-22-2013 03:21:28 | More by SmellsofMahagony

kustard

Illinois

3/5  rDev -25.9%

05-22-2013 03:02:05 | More by kustard

ddedhed

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +11.1%

05-22-2013 00:24:19 | More by ddedhed

indybearsfan

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

05-21-2013 23:37:17 | More by indybearsfan

Lynn

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +11.1%

05-21-2013 21:24:59 | More by Lynn

Pellinore1

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -7.4%

05-21-2013 14:05:31 | More by Pellinore1

nstorts

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +11.1%

05-21-2013 02:09:40 | More by nstorts

boilermakerbrew

Indiana

4.18/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A- Pours a medium orange-gold hue that is moderately clear. Only a slight haze disrupts the view through the body of the beer. Small, bubbly head is around a little bit, then is reduced to just a whisper of lace on the top. Lacing isn't that great, but it does have some alcohol legs.

S- Fairly strong hand of hops here, but not as strong as expected. Hops are extremely piney with a strong resin scent. Smell eludes to a hint of balancing malt sweetness on the back end.

T- Hops that were somewhat lacking in the scent come rushing back in an attack on the palate. The hops flavors are still very heavy in the pine and resin department. Hops are dominant and aggressive, but not overwhelmingly so. Towards the end, a hint of light malt flavors mix in before a final, bitter hop bite finishes the drink cleanly.

M- High in carbonation, to the point that it is almost "stinging." Medium body is slightly heavier due to the strong hop profile, but not so much to make it a sipper. Alcohol is not noticeable in the taste, but could easily catch up with you after drinking one quick or having two.

Overall, a solid IIPA. This and Burning River remind me a lot of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Torpedo in tandem. Only difference is that this is a little more sharp with the hops than Torpedo. In the end, a very good IIPA.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 01:49:24 | More by boilermakerbrew

NuclearSoAndSo

Ohio

4/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured into a beer mug.

Appearance: Pours a beautiful golden color with a one finger bright white head.

Smell: Initially smells like grapefruit/hops. A tart and tangy sort of smell; smells bright and fresh.

Taste: Hoppy upfront making way to a crisp citrus; lime maybe. Gets bitter again before finishing a little sweet with a tinge of alcohol. Nice faint notes of something like lemonade or orange juice throughout.

Mouthfeel: Fairly carbonated, slick, very refreshing.

Overall: Excellent beer. I don't usually go for the IPAs, but this one is quite good. I would absolutely buy a four-pack again and would be interested in trying it from the tap.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 01:06:23 | More by NuclearSoAndSo

Kerrie

Michigan

4/5  rDev -1.2%

05-20-2013 01:48:35 | More by Kerrie

Zonian1

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -13.6%

05-20-2013 01:39:33 | More by Zonian1

cbaker1985

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +17.3%

05-19-2013 22:12:07 | More by cbaker1985

Axnjxn

North Carolina

4.44/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into a tulip glass. Best by 08/07/13

Pours a beautiful golden color with a moderate white head that just touches the top of the glass. Perfect pour and look. Smell is a mixture of hops and sweet citrus, moderate aroma. Taste is...wow. not what i was expecting. no hop bomb here, we have an amazing mix of hops and malts with a tad of sweet citrus on the front and almost no bitterness at all on the back. exceptional taste. Definitely prefer this one much more than alchemy hour. Medium bodied with medium carbonation and with no alcohol taste whatsoever makes this one quite easy to drink.

Overall I'd put this in world class level. It's extraordinary. My favorite offering from Great Lakes yet, and that brewery just continues to impress me.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 20:42:58 | More by Axnjxn

MarshallBirdhouse

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -7.4%

05-19-2013 19:38:45 | More by MarshallBirdhouse

bcm75

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +11.1%

05-19-2013 18:51:38 | More by bcm75

klingenator

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

05-19-2013 04:21:45 | More by klingenator

alex021224

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

05-19-2013 01:58:20 | More by alex021224

elroacho

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -1.2%

05-19-2013 01:08:23 | More by elroacho

Photekut

Azerbaijan

3.75/5  rDev -7.4%

05-19-2013 00:44:58 | More by Photekut

hemorhoidzz

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

05-18-2013 20:10:40 | More by hemorhoidzz

mattsucks

Ohio

4/5  rDev -1.2%

05-18-2013 14:10:56 | More by mattsucks

Jade

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -13.6%

05-18-2013 13:32:32 | More by Jade