Blue Point No Apologies Imperial IPA - Blue Point Brewing Company

spunionring

2.68/5  rDev -30.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This was a decent, slightly less than good DIPA. Overall it was very bland and mediocre. There was an okay hop presence, but not what I would call solid. The quality of the brew was also only okay. Its a decent beer, but nothing noteworthy to go out of your way for. And its way oversold on the freakiness factor on the label, while being a very plain beer on the inside.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 00:58:51 | More by spunionring

mdfb79

New York

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap today at Fireworks in Arlington, VA at their Blue Point Steal the Pint night. Served in a tulip.

a - Pours a deep reddish-copper color with one finger of fluffy off white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of pine hops, caramel malts, fruity malts, and light citrus hops. Maltier than I thought it would be.

t - Tastes of citrus hops, grapefruit, tropical fruits, pine hops, fruity malts, and light floral hops. More hops in the taste, and some medium bitterness.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Body is super smooth with no alcohol; doesn't feel like 10%.

o - Overall a pretty nice DIPA. The nose is decent and malty, but the taste is much better and full of fresh hops and fruity. Would have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2012 23:06:30 | More by mdfb79

cavedave

New York

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Live review

Clear dark amber, rich beige head that only slowly climbs down. Hefty sheets of lace cling heartily to the glass.

Orange peel, spicy hop, light pine resin, hints of lemon, some floral backed by a deep sweet caramel and candy.

All the flavors of the nose are in the mouth, plus some really righteous herbal bitter that wasn't. Really comes on strong at the end of the sip. Not as sweet as feared, but a definite alcohol presence that is a bit hot. Strong flavors are the hallmarks of BP, and this baby doesn't disappoint.

Nicely viscous, med. carbonation, fine finish, interesting and brisk. Best in class? No. First rate? You bet.

Glad they decided to bottle this baby again, it is quite delicious. Highly recommended to all serious hopheads.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 18:00:53 | More by cavedave

pjs234

Connecticut

3.55/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured from 22oz bomber, there was a thick, creamy 2 finger head that was yellowish. Looking down at it, the head is very thick, almost looks soap suds. The beer is a nice, very clear golden color.

S - The aroma is not overwhelming, but I am picking up some nice hop/citrus/piney smells.

T - Fairly hoppy and a tad bitter at first taste. There is a little bit of bready/malty flavor that comes on towards the middle/end of the sip. There is a slightly off taste to this beer. Not sure what, but it kinda hangs around for a while afterwards.

M - Probably the strongest trait of this brew. The mouthfeel is smooth and a tad oily, really just what I would expect from a IIPA.

O - Not a bad IIPA, but definitely not spectacular. A good offering that I would be happy to try again, although i would not go out of my way to find it.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 03:04:04 | More by pjs234

Kendo

New York

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from the 22 oz bomber into a Duvel tulip. Body is slightly hazy copper-amber with a small ivory head. Good lacing.

S: Not really an in-your-face nose at all. Some juicy hops - tropical fruit and citrus - but not too strong at all.

T: Hops dominate. Juicy but bitter hops, with some sweet citrus or tropical fruit mid-sip, then finishing lemony dy and bitter - lingering "green" hops , i.e., grass or pine. Spicey bite, likely from high (10%) ABV. Heat felt at back end and down gulley.

M: Medium in heft, slight gritty feel.

O: A decent DIPA, but not approaching world-class levels by any stretch. Good and hoppy though.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 22:36:45 | More by Kendo

wscotti

New York

4.1/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a tap into a snifter

A - Pours a light copper color with a tight head which fades very quickly and leaves moderate lacing on the glass.

S - A citrus and grapefruit aroma with a moderate piney / hops aroma in the backround.

T - Bitter up front with almost a citrusy barleywine type finish on the back end. A nice combination of pine, citrus and hops. Doesn't have any overpowering alcohol taste that you might expect with other 10% IIPAs.

M - A medium bodied, yet solid mouthfeel.

O - A very good representation of a IIPA with 10% ABV. This is a limited release that is definitely worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2012 04:24:20 | More by wscotti

nitro0292

New York

4.1/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bomber served in a tulip. A shade or 2 lighter than mahoghany, with a tight, frothy, not-quite white head. Plenty of stick and retention. Dark for the style, butbim assuming it reflects a solid Caramel malt base.

Aroma is full of grapefruit and citrus with some subtle malts. Smell is very inviting and very hop forward.

Taste is also hop forward, malts lend a hint of caramel. Bitter from beginning to end but not overly astringent or overpowering, with soft tropical fruit notes. A well balanced IIPA, but wih a tilt towards a dry-hopped high alpha profile. Quite tasty.

Viscousity is right, medium body.

This is a good IIPA. No apologies necessary, seek this out.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 04:36:38 | More by nitro0292

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

4.22/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle served in a tulip glass.

L - clear copper color with a white head that leaves a sheet of sticky lacing.

S - tropical fruits and lots of citrus.

T - bitter hops upfront with a balance of sweet citrus flavors turning dry and bitter on the finish.

F - medium bodied, crisp and refreshing.

O - a fine example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 01:08:56 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

cosmo4u

New York

3.68/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

cask at bronx ale house 12/3/11
Started off somewhat promising...Pours a deep orange with a very large frothy and well sustained head. Fruity and bright aroma, almost berry-like, yet it was slightly artificial and perfumy (not like pure hop resins or juicy) The flavor is astrigent, perfumy and syrupy with a burning backgroundand a harsh bitter finish. Sometimes IIPAs have no hop character, rather they just kill your taste buds with an unidentifiable assertiveness. Was hoping for more from the brewery

Serving type: cask

12-04-2011 02:04:22 | More by cosmo4u

david18

New York

3.03/5  rDev -21.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

They started offering this beer at my local beer pub and I was interested to taste it, as I'd never had a double IPA from Blue Point before. In general it's very much an east coast double and may be a little hot for my taste.

Appearance was typical of the style, dark straw. Very cloudy with a good fluffy head.

Aroma was not hoppy enough. Smelled strong with a lot of malt. Not bad, but not a stand out.

Flavor, as mentioned earlier did not have enough hops and was a bit to alcohol present for my taste.

Worth trying if you've never had it before but not my favorite out there.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2011 20:31:17 | More by david18

troysoy2

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this brew on tap at my now-usual spot, and I enjoyed it enough to take a growler home with me.

Poured into a pint glass, the look is that of a slightly deeper amber. The head is an interesting egg shell color, but with a little more yellow than your average egg shell. The head dies down quickly to a film on the beer's surface, and provides sporadic lacing here and there.

Admittedly, the smell didn't strike me as all that interesting. Sweet and sticky hops, muted citrus, and a good malt backbone.

The taste actually surprised me quite a bit. The first few sips were glorious, very spicy, bitter, with a throat-warming sweet malty aftertaste. Grapefruit is present, I suppose, and the alcohol is nicely covered up by the flavor. It mellows out a bit as your taste buds adjust, but still, I really enjoy the taste. There's just something about the spiciness that I can't put my finger on...

The mouthfeel is a tad watery, but I am glad that this beer doesn't turn into a mouthfull of foam. Good carbonation, but not over the top. As some people have mentioned, a slightly thicker feel might be nice.

But hey, it's extremely, dangerously drinkable, considering its ABV, and I will very much enjoy cuddling up with a growler full of this brew.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2011 01:05:34 | More by troysoy2

lacqueredmouse

Australia

3.65/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at The Pony Bar in New York.

Pours a deep, orangey copper colour, with a beautiful, fine head of cream-coloured bubbles. Lacing is rich, languid and full—it sticks to much that as the beer goes down it looks as though the head just falls into a cavern. Body is surprisingly light, but I forgive that; everything else is awesome.

Nose is big. Resiny, pungent hops with big, sticky, gooey caramel mix together to form a slightly savoury salted toffee kind of character. It's a big brew and a pungent one; not redolent and fruity and tropical like a big West Coast example. It's almost roasty-astringent with hop bitterness. Potent at least.

Taste is biting and bitter, with enough malty, grainy sweetness to drag it back into the realms of decency. But the bitterness is all earth, and roast and bite and astringency. Phew. It's something to wrap your lips around. The thin feel doesn't help the palate overall, making it a bit weak, and lacking the cushion to soften the blow of the hops.

No one's disputing the strength of this. This is a big IPA, full of booze and bitterness. I'd love it to use more of the palate, but there's certainly no complaints at this end about the strength.

I know what they'd say if I complained, anyway.

Serving type: on-tap

08-05-2011 03:33:42 | More by lacqueredmouse

metter98

New York

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear copper in color and has a light amount of carbonation. It poured with a thin beige head that died down, leaving a thin ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: There are moderate aromas of caramel malts and grapefruit hops in the nose.
T: Like the smell, the taste also has flavors of caramel and grapefruit and has a good balance between the malts and hops. It shares some characteristics with the flavors you would expect in a barleywine, except for the alcohol.
M: It feels medium-bodied and very smooth on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: Considering its strength, this beer is rather easy to drink because the alcohol is well masked from the taste, it is very smooth and there is also a good balance between the malts and hops.

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2011 11:35:24 | More by metter98

cosmicevan

New York

4.33/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at the brewery. Beer arrived with the classic IPA look, frothy head. Smells of sweet hops and candied goodness. A bit sticky and sweaty. Taste opens with sweet hops, then gets an almost american barleywine malty twist before finishing pretty bitter. I really liked this one. Great local double IPA!!!

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2011 20:15:30 | More by cosmicevan

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

3.54/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Updatd review as of 5/20/13
Had on tap, pours a clear, reddish/amber color. Has a light, even, creamy head across the top, no carbonation to speak of. The aroma is of sweet, piney hop character with a little malt doughiness. Taste has a mild, sweet malt up front followed with some sweet citrus before moving into an assertive floral, lavender-like sticky finish. The mouthfeel is velvet smooth, medium body, and finishes with a slightly boozy, big sweet citrus and lavender with a lingering sweet citrus bitterness.

The first time I had this it was a real let down and over a year later this particular keg is much improved over the previous one.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2009 05:48:34 | More by jzeilinger

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A. Poured on-tap into a pint glass. Brownish in color with a large off white head that documents every sip.

Smells of hops and caramel.

This beer drinks smoothly and has a earthy, mineral hop taste. Caramel malt lays the foundation for balance. Dark fruits are brought out as the chill dies out.

Mouthfeel is very smooth and creamy, not as stinging to the palate as some D.I.P.A's tend to be.. The smoothness made drinking very enjoyable.

The balance in this beer was most surprising. Piney, fruity hops played with the malt sweetness and everything was balanced very well. Worthy.

Serving type: on-tap

06-07-2009 21:38:46 | More by Stinkypuss

treyrab

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I have never heard of this beer, but saw it on tap last night so I decided to grab it. This is retired? Not sure why a retired DIPA just went on tap, but here goes...

A: Pours a murky, completely hazy copper with a small bone-white head. Not a very impressive look, but not the worst either. Not much lacing at all.

S: Smell is very, very barleywine-like with tons of sweet caramel, sweet toffee, munich malts, and aged hops. Some vanilla creeps through in the smell as well. This DIPA smells like is has some age on it.

T: Just like the smell, this DIPA seems like it has some age on it, but the flavors are still pretty good. Sweet caramel comes to the forefront with some sweet vanilla beans and toffee.

Oveall, there is nothing great about this beer that makes it stand out. It is a decent IPA with tons of barleywine characteristics.

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2009 01:07:15 | More by treyrab

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.38/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Reviewed on 8/9/08. On tap at the brewery. Pours a deep orange with a small white, creamy head that leaves nice lacing. Aroma of light citrus hops. Flavor of sweet malt, citrusy hops, slight pine. Pretty decent and somewhat balanced, although it is a bit sweet.
7/4/7/3/12 (3.3/5)

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2008 23:07:22 | More by LilBeerDoctor

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at The Batdorf in Annville, PA on 10/1/08. Looks like this brew came out of retirement.

A - Hazy burnt orange body with an unfiltered appearance and one-finger creamy white head that settled into a thin film of retention and left huge swatches of sticky lace around the glass.

S - Caramel malt and burnt sugar up front with a bit of piney hops, followed by a fruity aroma with hints of sweet pineapple, mango and peach. A touch of alcohol also sneaks through. With that said, the nose is a little musty overall.

T - Juicy and fruity with mango, grapefruit and pineapple as well as more more subtle hints of pine. There is also quite a bit of caramel malt with a slight burnt flavor. A musty character also appears, which throws off the flavor and bit, resulting in a slightly muddled flavor profile.

M - Full bodied with a creamy yet slightly thick, syrupy texture and moderate carbonation. Finish is bitter and metallic.

D - Nobody at my table cared for this at all, but I thought it was decent. It has potential, but the hop profile needs to be cleaned up a bit and the musty qualities need to disappear. Otherwise, this is a drinkable DIPA.

Brewslut's Quote of the Day:
"Mothballs."

Deuane's Quote of the Day:
"Tastes like a hoppy gym sock!"

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2008 13:16:38 | More by ffejherb

mangledorf

Minnesota

3.38/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Poured very appropriately for a double or imperial IPA. Strong smells of hop and alcohol. First taste is a big wow. Strong everything. Unfortunately as my mouth got used to the strong tastes, I began to notice the slickness of the liquid and it wasn't pleasant.
I'm sorry to say that this one certainly packs all its punches in the first blow. Sort of deteriorates as the glass empties.
Try one. But don't buy a whole case (or a whole growler) unless you know better.

Serving type: growler

09-14-2008 01:30:08 | More by mangledorf

Lexluthor33

New York

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours an Orange amber with a decent sized head and a small tight lace.
The aroma was malts,hops and fruit tones.
The taste was sweet, big hops then malty with a bitter taste followed by fruit hints and some smoky notes.
The feel was moderate carbonation,full bodied with a smooth feel.

Notes: Drinkability was for one or two,no sessions on this baby.Even though the alcohol was well hidden I still felt this was a big beer to enjoy with a group of friends to help finish the growler and not to session off. I thought this beer was pretty good and I enjoyed it very much.Malt/hops galore. Decently balanced.

Serving type: growler

08-25-2008 03:26:41 | More by Lexluthor33

erosier

Connecticut

4.47/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

L: Pours an ornage amber color with a medium sized and thick white head that laces nicely down the glass.
S: Very sweet malts underneath very big hop and some fruit aromas.
T: Same as the nose which was really enticing for a DIPA. Very sweet malts under a big peppery, citrisy, and piney hop flavors and then a hint of vinous fruits. Very interesting take on this style.
M: Very warming with the right amount of carbonation. It was slightly crisp from the hops but more complex than a simple DIPA with a ton of hops.
D: Very drinkable. The complexity is really interesting and makes it a very drinkable beer as it is not just a hop bomb. Even though it has a lot of alcohol, it is still very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2008 14:26:07 | More by erosier

Biggness

New York

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this beer this evening @ cantebury ales in Huntington. NY. I was amazed to see this on tap because I had only ever seen it previously @ the brewery. I was also laughing @ the guy at the bar that kept referring to it as a "wine because it has so much alcohol" Ah it sucks to be so elite around here with your tastes, so few you can share with. The appearance is beautiful, a cloudy amber with a slight white head. The smell is very rich of nuts, citus and malts. The taste is beautiful as well, very malty for a dipa imo but not overly so. The citurs and malts are perfectly balanced and with a 10 % alcohol level its very well hidden! All around a homerun in my eyes. I am amazed that they haven't started selling bombers of this and the sour cherry imperial stout yet. The mouthfeel is very pleasant and its something I could drink all night but I am aware many can not. Well done!

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2008 01:42:41 | More by Biggness

Brianmerrilyn

New York

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On Cask @George Keely's 83rd and Amsterdam in Manhattan NY.

A: poured a hazy off yellow, 1 finger head with respectbale lacing.

S: Malt and hops together with some sweentess I could not get the name of.

T: ABV hits you fast which I enjoyed. Sour notes and pine cones.

M: Light to medium, bitter to start then warms to smoothness toward mid to end.

D: The Patchaouge boys brought this one back and I was glad to have it on cask.

Serving type: cask

06-27-2008 16:24:28 | More by Brianmerrilyn

doubleipa

Georgia

3.68/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this on tap at KClingers in Hanover. Big head, but fully diminished. Aroma - not much aroma for a double IPA, A little citrus, a little pine sesin, but not what I would expect froma DIIPA. Taste - a hint of pepper. Palate - creamy, can really taste the alcohol.

Serving type: on-tap

06-26-2008 22:11:07 | More by doubleipa