Blind Pig IPA - Russian River Brewing Company

CraftEyeDoc

North Carolina

4.64/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A: super clear golden yellow, nice carbonation leaving a 1.5 finger head and small amount of lacing as you drink

S: nice grassy slightly piney with a decent amount of citrus

T: very balanced and matches well to the nose, very light and crisp, very low malt flavor which lets the hops shine, great after taste that just lingers on your tongue

M: Lovely, light to mod body

O: classic IPA not overly bitter and so easy to drink

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 02:52:14 | More by CraftEyeDoc

starrdogg

District of Columbia

4.11/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Thanks to Trilogy31 for sending this one along as an extra.

It's a really nice looking beer, pours a largely clear yellow-orange with a medium fluffy white head. It's got a really nice sweet citrusy hop aroma with bit of biscuity malt lurking as well. The flavor isn't quite as citrusy as the smell would indicate. A semi-sweet biscuity malt hits first which transitions nicely into a nice hop bitterness. The flavor doesn't blow me away, but it's nicely balanced. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied with nice carbonation. Overall this is a well-crafted IPA that is rather on the bitter side, it's not too sweet or citrusy, but comes together nicely.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 04:31:44 | More by starrdogg

Immortale25

Florida

4.79/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Poured into a Due South Brewing Co. snifter. Label says Bottled on 010213.

A- Pours a light amber color with a 1/2 inch off-white head that retains decently before gradually lightening to a thick ring around the edge of the glass and a sheer web-like pattern of surface foam. Very resilient lacing slowly creeps down the glass.

S- An amazingly sweet hop aroma almost smells like orange soda. The malt, although restrained, is a key element in executing this sweetness. Semi-musty but the tropical fruit notes dominate bringing to mind pineapple, lemon and grapefruit juice.

T- The flavor is decidedly less fruity as the aroma at first, but the deliciously grassy/citrusy/bitter combination of tastes is sublime. Blazingly bright hops and some mildly toasty malt in the background conjoin to make an intense, yet very pleasurable drink. Alcohol makes its presence known but stealthily weaves itself into the profile. Bitterness is persistent and welcome. Juicy, vibrant.

M- Very sharp in a great way, bringing a solid bite from the hops but still somehow containing subtlety. Medium carbonation and a lightish body.

O- I think I might like this better than Pliny. Guess I'll just have to drink some more of both to find out. Either way, they're both excellent beers.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 03:03:01 | More by Immortale25

mattsdenney

Tennessee

4.13/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

A gift from my sis-in-law who brought a bomber from San Fran to Nashville for Christmas (along w/ some Pliny too).

This one pours clear, light gold in color with a thick white bubbly head. Good lacing and retention with the head receding slowly. Smells like citrus and fruity hops, sweet grapefruit, fresh cut grass. The taste mirrors the smell with fruity citrus up front and finishes w/ grassy, earthy hops and lemon rind. The taste is a little weaker than I would have expected. The body is light and slightly watery, very little carbonation to speak of. I enjoy the flavor of this beer, just wish there was more of it. A little too thin in my opinion but still leaps and bounds better than most normal-strength IPA's out there. Glad I got to try it.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 19:54:39 | More by mattsdenney

ElderPuma

Wisconsin

4.64/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a brilliant crisp clean and clear straw to orange color with a creamy off white finger of head. Probably a perfect looking pale ale of any style.

Nose is malty backbone with upfront spicy and citrus hops and a hint of pine. The caramel undertone is a great supporting foundation for what is effectively a medley of various citrus notes. Pretty amazing and it makes your mouth water.

Flavor is just a touch more malty than the aroma would have you believe but overall the taste is quite similar to the aroma. Earthy and spicey hop notes also present them selves in the taste that seemed to be hidden in the aroma but the citrus flavor is still the overwhelming flavor. Overall there is a slight but not overpowering bitterness which allows you to truly enjoy the great hop flavor.

Mouthfeel is creamy and just a touch heavier than I would prefer given the crisp clean flavoring and appearance. All in all not too bad just perhaps a touch too thick for a hot summer evening.

Overall this is an exceptional example of what an IPA can be and also presents a wider range of flavoring than the standard American IPA which focuses more heavily on that piney flavor.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 18:59:53 | More by ElderPuma

Hamburgers

California

4.23/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Pours a clear golden with one finger white head. Head slowly vanishes leaving little lacing on glass. Aroma big with citrus fruit, pine and slight grass notes. Flavor is more grass and citrus, with a touch of funk. Slight maltiness and packed with hops. Light and refreshing with medium bitter finish.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 07:34:37 | More by Hamburgers

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.84/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

not sure why this one is so hyped up. was dying to try it, finally did, and was rather unimpressed as far as russian river goes. to me, pliny is just such a better beer, more hops, better feel, more alive. this one pales in comparison in almost every respect. same color but maybe a little less sediment and a little less carbonation than the pliny. less resinous nose, although the hops appear to be equally fresh and pungent. citrus notes and pine notes in equal proportion, although this isnt oily at all. bitter finish after a balanced american style pale ale. lighter biscuity malt doesnt overshadow the hops, but the flavors just arent as forward and assertive as the pliny. i know its a different beer entirely, and i shouldnt compare like this, but i couldnt help thinking the whole pint that this was the inferior little brother. good feel, crisp finish, plenty bitter, drinkable as hell, but just not a standout to me. especially since we all know what russian river is capable of. good ipa, not memorable for me. ill try ti again in the future though.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2013 20:32:35 | More by StonedTrippin

Hopbrizio

California

4.44/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled on 01/02/13 Poured into Bruery tulip glass.

A - Golden copper with about a finger of bright white head that dissipates quickly. Don't see any lacing.

S - Sweet, piny, citrus peel, slightest hint of booze once it starts warming.

T - Balanced. Grassy, sweet citrus peel, grape fruit, some earthy wood notes to round out flavor, juicy with slightly bitter and dry finish.

M - I found it to be very smooth. Lightly carbonated with a tasty bitterness left over that leaves me yearning for more.

O - Very tasty and easy to drink. Hits both malts and hops in a way that keeps me satisfied. Solid IPA.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 07:48:29 | More by Hopbrizio

fatmusic14

Colorado

4.43/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Falling Rock. Written from notes 12/27.

A - rich amber, tons of lacing, head that keeps hanging around. A really inviting look.

S - cinnamon, lemon zest, earthy - really brings out that hop and forest element, but not overpowering. Swims up into your nostrils as you drink it.

T - tastes of the scent, in a very pure way. Pine, citrus, hint of spice and chili. Just enough bitterness to remind you its an ale. Top notch.

M - leaves a tremendous aftertaste. Great carbonation and drinkability.

O - close to perfect.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2012 23:12:37 | More by fatmusic14

lordofstarside

Nevada

4.7/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a bottle to snifter, only two days old! Hands down the freshest bottled beer I've ever had. Big thanks to the Jug Shop

Pours a deep gold with mild carbonation. A finger of foam with good retention, nice thick even lacing. Fantastic looking beer. Smells of strong hop and grapefruit, pine, citrus, tropical fruits mesh together well with a modest malty backbone. Very pungent and rich, very reminiscent of Pliny, all the smells a good ipa should have and then some. Tastes of strong hops, pine, citrus with a sweet bready malt coming through. Flavors meld together nicely, nothing over powering anything else- very nice balance in this beer. Mouth is also consistent, medium body with a mild carbonation tingle. Resins coat the mouth with a strong bitter dry finish. Overall one of the best ipas made on the west coast, really glad I was able to get a few bottles of this. The freshness no doubt playing a role, but this would still be great even after a few months. The things I'd do to have regular access to Russian River beers!

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 07:21:49 | More by lordofstarside

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A: Pours a crystal clear medium yellow in color with very light amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a half finger tall white head that reduces fairly quickly to an extremely thin film that covers the majority of the surface of the beer and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate to strong aromas of citrus/grapefruit/tangerine hops and much lighter hints of tropical/pineapple hops.

T: Upfront there is a solid amount of pale malts with some caramel sweetness but the real dominant flavors are those of the hops - strong flavors of citrus/grapefruit/tangerine and moderate amounts of tropical/pineapple. Light to moderate amounts of bitterness that fade quickly.

M: Just shy of medium bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation. Crisp upfront and slightly sticky in the finish.

O: Extremely easy to drink and enjoyable - a very nice aroma and taste but the best aspect of this beer is how easy it is to drink (I think I could drink these all day long and never tire of it). Lots of hops present but they do not overpower.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 01:39:45 | More by dbrauneis

metter98

New York

4.35/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

A: The beer is clear yellowish orange in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a half finger high white head that quickly died down and left delicate lacing on the surface and a thin collar.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of grapefruit, pineapple and tangerine in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell but has much more pronounced flavors of the hops along with a light to moderate amount of bitterness. The tropical fruits seem a little more.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a little crisp on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is quite flavorful but most impressive is its drinkability. It goes down like a breeze.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 01:37:16 | More by metter98

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A stunning American Pale Ale!

Picked up this bottle at the brewery two weeks ago and didn't think there could be anything better than the happy-hour draught I enjoyed (and on which I neglected to take notes), but this is an excellent bottled beer as well. Pours a clear and surprisingly light coloured copper amber with large bubbled head and decorative lacing.

Brilliantly resinous aroma of hops, hops and more hops : pine and pineapple, west-coast tropical fruits and citrus. The flavour is also hop forward but with a broader palate, including mango and tangerine notes in the hop medley. Caramelized malts fill out the body nicely, but the flavours behind that lingering bitter finish are truly remarkable.

Worth the trip to Santa Rosa!

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 01:00:18 | More by hopsolutely

CommanderOfAwesome

California

4.3/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle in Tulip. Fresh, Ledgers just got it in today.

A: Pours a nice golden color with 2.5 finger head. Great lacing on the glass.

S: Air freshener. Great citrus and pine aroma, with the perfect malty notes to compliment. Some other fruit notes as well. Smells great.

T: Usually West Coast IPA is my least favorite style, however this beer delivers regardless. Grapefruit and citrus, Amazingly balanced. Floral notes, followed by some malt backbone with the dry bitter hop finish.

M: Medium to lighter bodied, tons of action on the tongue, with a nice sticky residue finish.

O: A fantastic beer, one I think I like better than Pliny. Great example of the West Coast style.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 01:47:44 | More by CommanderOfAwesome

Tastybrew

5/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Copper in color, medium carbonation, the head only sticks around for a minute or two but the lacing sticks around long after the glass is empty.

S: The nose is like putting your bag into a fresh bag of Cascade hops. Just the smell alone makes you want to take a swig of this easy to drink and perfectly resinous, fresh cut and mouthwatering brew.

T: The taste of this beer sets the bar for all of the other IPA's in my opinion. The taste is as close to perfect for an IPA that I have found. It is quite a bit less robust with the hop punch than other beers like Heady Topper and Day Tripper by Indeed Brewing which are both delicious but the hops and pine character is much more present..

M: Mouthfeel is painless. This beer is very easy to drink for anyone who loves IPA's.

O: This beer has been executed perfectly. Just enough hops to make it smell fresh with a hint of floral along with a slight back note of bitterness. I love this beer it is everything an IPA should be.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 17:40:10 | More by Tastybrew

RaulMondesi

California

2.8/5  rDev -35.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

On tap at tha joint: Hollngshead in Orange, California.

Uh uh! No way, no how! Like the last ten years of R. Kelly's career: Raul not feelin' it.

Going into this bad boy, you might b thinkin' that you b gittin Pliny's lil brotha - yeah, maybe if lil' bro still had his braces on and only showered once a week. Not only is Raul not diggin it, he ain't even feelin it in tha average sort of way! Too hoppy. Just tastes like nasty nasty.

For the hype, I do not suggest. Try Russian River IPA instead if you can't get Pliny.

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2012 05:09:49 | More by RaulMondesi

stephenjmoore

Maryland

4.33/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Clear golden body with tons of carbonation bubbles. Bubbly bone white head.

S- Huge hop aromas with notes of pine, citrus and grapefruit.

T- Grapefruit and citrus come through a lot with pine and a slight malt presence in the back.

M- High carbonation with a crisp bite on the tongue. Medium bodied and very drinkable.

O- Great IPA, could drink a lot of this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 01:25:39 | More by stephenjmoore

Holland

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Big thanks to my wife for finding this and bringing it back! Bottled on 11/14/12, reviewed 3 days later.

A: golden color, very clear, has a one finger head initially that quickly dissipates to leave a few small pockets or bubbles and a ring on the edge of the glass.

S: huge smell of citrus, some pine, and some earthy smells. The smell really changes from bright citrus to the earthy and pine smells after taking my first sip.

T: after the smell, the taste is pretty average. Some malt, bitterness, almost no sweetness evident, and only a little earthy and piney hops. Where did the hops go?

M: decent body even though it seems highly attenuated, and the carbonation is right on.

O: good, but didn't live up to my expectations at all. Not a lot of flavor hops. Most of the flavor I got was in the smell or bitterness. Still a decent buy, and it was unbelievably fresh.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 19:18:27 | More by Holland

silentdonkey

California

4.83/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Beachwood BBQ in Seal Beach CA.

A: Poured a beautiful crystal clear golden orange. Has a nice one finger frothy white head. Leaves a beautiful lattice lacing.

S: Smells similar to Pliny. Makes you just want to dive in and bathe in it. Smells of citrus and pine. Lots of hop resin.

T: Perfectly balanced IPA. The hops and malt pair perfectly. There is a nice earthy floral start to the hop bitterness that transitions into a citrus and pine finish. A subtle malty sweetness rounds it out.

M: It has a very nice creaminess with an excellent crisp finish. Mild carbonation.

O: Another stellar beer from RR. A really enjoyable IPA. Perfectly balanced, yet extremely complex hop profile. Get this one fresh on tap and you will be blown away.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2012 16:32:24 | More by silentdonkey

jimilayne

New York

5/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Blind Pig is like the child of a Pliny & Heady and the Pliny & Heady got a divorce and the Pliny gained custody.

Perhaps the best nose ever. It gives off delightful citrus hoppy aroma and then follows up with a taste that does not disappoint. Perfectly light bodied and drinkable.

One of the best beers I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 01:36:04 | More by jimilayne

magictacosinus

California

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

I've had this many times, but it's so yummy that I always end up finishing it before writing a proper review. Not this time! Poured out of a 500ml bottle into a pint glass. Label shows that it was bottled on "10/30/12," and it was consumed on November 4th, 2012. This review is based on my notes.

Pours a golden-amber color that is about as pristine and crystal-clear looking as Pliny. Contains playful amount of bubbles that rise towards the top of the glass, complete with an initial 3 finger head. As the head settles, there's loads of cobwebby lacing that remain on the walls of the glass. Absolutely beautiful, and I don't see how it could be improved as a result.

Many people agree that Blind Pig is kind of like Pliny without the extra kick, and with the aroma, I can see why. Overall, there's an initial burst of tangy floral notes, as well as an enormous piny backdrop. Unlike Pliny, there isn't as much grapefruit fruity flavors, but it's undeniable that this has a citrus smell and oily hop aroma as all get-out, and especially smells like an enormous orange grove of sorts. The presence of alcohol is minor here, but there are still honey sweet aromas melded with slight yeastiness. If you ask me, smells pretty damn fantastic overall.

The flavor is about the same experience as the aroma, except with several key differences. For one, the tip of the tongue experiences strong pine needle flavors mixed with a hopped oiliness. At the back of the tongue, the yeastiness eventually reveals itself in an astringent manner, except that it eventually settles and the hops continue to glide everywhere. When this beer is consumed fresh, this effect is pretty magical, and tastes delicious and vibrant. Earthy notes abound, and the citrus flavor is everlasting. This is pretty much just as syrupy as Pliny, and has just as much carbonation, but somehow isn't as balanced when it comes to melding the malts with pines and hops. Definitely more floral as well. Still, very fine and smooth stuff overall.

Probably one of the best IPAs I'll ever have, this is really easy to down in several minutes for hopheads, especially considering how smooth and balanced the drinking experience is. I'm really spoiled with Pliny at this rate and always try to find it over Blind Pig... But that's unfair, and I should pack myself more with this when I have the chance. Don't think of it as a "Pliny-lite," but rather another fantastic and original offering from Russian River. So drink up!

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 19:25:26 | More by magictacosinus

Kmccabe33

Georgia

4.88/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A- Great goldish and orangeish color, beautiful color, Russian River always seem to get the color down perfectly. Beautiful color for an IPA. Pretty solid fluffy white head, great looking.

S- Smell is amazing, citrus, floral hops, one of the best smells for a single IPA. Definitely top tier IPA without a doubt. Smell is similar in that to PtE, but yet it is only a single.

T- Taste is perfect, very herbal and citrusy, but great IPA notes, great balance of hops and malt, perfectly balanced.

M- Smooth mouthfeel, very full and not lacking anything. A+

O- The best single IPA I think I have had to date. Another solid Russian River brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 23:29:00 | More by Kmccabe33

NoLeafClover44

Delaware

4.43/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to Kevin for sending this one. Bottled on 9/5/2012, so it's a month old. 510 mL bottle poured into large Allagash chalice.

A - Pours a light, nearly transparent copper color with a solid finger of bright white head. Decent retention with a sticky, resinous lacing.

S - Smells of dank pink grapefruit and bitter hops. Tart, almost lactic, citrus emanates from the glass. Not much in the malt department. This definitely smells like my kind of IPA.

T - The flavor is more balanced than the nose, but citrus still dominates. Grapefruit upfront followed by a little bit of cracker malt. Bitter pine hops on the back end with a crisp lemony finish. Wow this stuff is good.

M - Light and bubbly with a crisp finish. It was gone before I knew it.

O - This is one of the best single IPA's I have ever had. Very flavorful with a big citrus hop bite. Easy drinking and delicious. I can't find much wrong with this beer and I highly recommend grabbing it, if you can find it fresh.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 00:11:07 | More by NoLeafClover44

BrianGaynor

3.88/5  rDev -11%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: beautiful orange amber color. Mostly clear. Two finger white head.

Smell: my god. The smell of this beer is right on. So perfect. Spectacular citrus scent.

Taste: there’s something about this beer that I’m not sure how to explain. I’ve never eaten a hop, but I think it might taste something like this. Smells much better than it tastes.

Mouthfeel: exceptionally smooth and easy to drink.

Overall: everything about this beer screams amazing, except the taste. Still enjoying it but I really wish I could give it a higher rating.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 03:34:46 | More by BrianGaynor

SnowFlowMfg

California

3.95/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this really fresh and poured into a tulip; an early September batch.

A: Pours a slightly hazy straw-amber with a decent one finger head that remained to the finish. Nice and sticky on the sides with an oily looking legs. Hard to have a beer look bad in my opinion.

S: Smells like a lighter version of Pliny but a little bit harsher, maybe. Otherwise it has the nice piney smell initially followed by a light sweetness mixed with some tropical fruits. A little bit of booze smell on the end. Smells great but not as heavenly as the Pliny.

T: I feel like this tastes like a slightly less refined and lighter Pliny. I know I keep comparing this to Pliny but I had these side by side and the two were somewhat similar. This has the strong piney hop flavor initially hitting you with bitterness holding to the end. Very slight sweetness and a little harshness from the hops in the middle but finishes smooth and clean.

M: I did not like the mouthfeel too much. It honestly felt very much like water to me. Too light both in body and carbonation. Considering the oily appearance I was a little disappointed that it didn't feel more substantial.

O: Feels like a less refined Pliny with a mouthfeel like water. Easy drinking, but not as refreshing or extraordinary as I would expect.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 23:48:17 | More by SnowFlowMfg