Stormcloud IPA - Rahr & Sons Brewing Company

jneiswender

Massachusetts

2.75/5  rDev -18.6%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

Had this beer as part of the brewery tour. Served cool, on tap and in a pint glass

body and golden yellow with a nice white head

faint earthy hops smell but mostly german grain smell.

taste is not hoppy at all. very faint citrus american hop taste but it is overwhelmed by a german grain taste.

light

Just doesn't work. The german grain backbone here is drowning out some paltry hop flavor. It just doesn't taste like even a traditional IPA. Disappointingly non hoppy

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2013 00:17:11 | More by jneiswender

DCon

Missouri

3.8/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed on-tap @ the Schlafly Repeal of Prohibition Festival @ the Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood, MO. Tapped from the Black/Silver Tap Handle into a 16oz Schlafly Cup.

Aroma- Has a VERY skunky, hop aroma from the beginning and Americans hops towards the finish. Doesn't hit the nose hard but on the contrary, have to search for these attributes.

Appearance- Received with a 1.5 finger, bubbly head that dies fairly quickly. Has a dark reddish copper body with good clarity. Leaves tons of suds behind.

Flavor- Very complexed and tough to break down all of the flavors... Tons os citrus and pine mixed with American hops. Medium-High Bitterness. Couldn't find any malt present either.

Mouthfeel- Medium Bodied, Medium Carbonation, Smooth, and has a very pleasant grapefruit finish.

Overall Impression- A very hoppy American IPA but not balanced. Needs more malt and not too many types of hop that you are not able to distinguish between any of them. Still enjoyed and would have again but many more at this festival to get to!

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2012 19:20:25 | More by DCon

BeardedRiker

Texas

3.73/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this on tap at the Meddlesome Moth in Dallas, TX. They had a special rare tapping of a Stormcloud cask. Here's an interesting story, as I was holding up the beer to see its color in the light I noticed two weird-looking and sort of fuzzy little pieces of...something in the bottom of my glass. I immediately thought the glass had something in it, obviously, that wasn't supposed to be there so I had my waiter see it and get me a new one. I saw him talk to the owner and then the guy at the bar. When my waiter came back with a new Stormcloud he explained how they had just finished off the cask and the beer in it was dry-hopped so what were in my glass were little pieces of hops! Cool! I kind of wanted to have the other glass back and drink it! :P Anyway, now to review (and I'm not sure if they nitro-tapped it).

I received my Stormcloud with a nice two finger, creamy-bubbly, and off-white head that had some good retention in the glass and left plenty of lacing. The beer itself was an amber-copper color that was a bit hazy.

This dry-hopped version of the Stormcloud smelled fantastic. Extremely floral, very hoppy. Pine resin and a bit of mango were there and I think the overt hoppiness brought out a spiciness that tingled my nostrils a bit.

When I first started drinking the Stormcloud I found it to be much like most of Rahr's beers. They sacrifice flavor for drinkability. Now, I'm all fine with drinkability, especially when it's so damn hot in Texas, but I want my IPAs to have some kick to them. However, after I let it sit out a bit I enjoyed it more. The flavors came out more. There's a medium hoppiness and bitterness but the more I drank the more the taste lingered on the back of my tongue. There's a bit of mango/pineapple fruitiness and caramel sweetness. The pine resin has a presence throughout. Malts make a bit bready.

The mouthfeel isn't too impressive. Good carbonation and drinkability but it's simply too light-bodied for me. Pretty smooth throughout.

The look and smell of Stormcloud were excellent while the taste and mouthfeel let it down. It's too drinkable, too light, for an IPA in my opinion. Like most Rahr beers, it's a good one but it sacrifices flavor and body too much for drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

08-04-2011 08:18:21 | More by BeardedRiker

MrHungryMonkey

Texas

3.6/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dry hop version from Flying Saucer.

Nose is bready with suggestions of vegital hops. Smells okay.

Pours very hazy amber orange with no head. Looks okay.

Nice depth of maltiness and bitterness over a suprisingly thin body. Rich roasted chocolate, complex breads, hints of rye almost, and a good bit of amber/crystal malt. Hops are more subtle than expected, kind of aged tasting - dry and bitter with mild flavor/aroma. Good bitterness, stiff enough for balance but refreshingly soft. Soft hop bite. Moderate dryness. Little carbonation. Finishes dry with just a kiss of hops. Tastes good. Feels pretty good. Pretty good drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

07-10-2010 18:48:44 | More by MrHungryMonkey

fjordhook

Texas

3.83/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

appearance: was a light golden brown beer that has a good fizz and head

smell: had an intense smell of hops with hints of fruit also hidden in it

taste: surprisingly the taste wasn't as hoppy as the smell! can taste the fruit and has the unique bite that rahr beers seem to share

mouthfeel/drinkability: light in the mouth which made for a smooth finish

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2010 03:47:45 | More by fjordhook

thirdeye11

Texas

3.7/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Presentation: Poured from draft tap at the brewery into a Stormcloud IPA 20oz imperial pint glass.

A: Pours very little head, but the deep amber/orange color is awesome. Laces the glass fairly well too.

S: Smell is nice. No overpowering hop bitterness, but the hops are nice, clean, and refreshing. Good for the style, but pretty mild in comparison to other IPAs I'm familiar with. I don't mind it though and like it.

T: The hops are nice, but they're not quite enough to overpower the "signature Rahr malt bitterness" that seems to prevade the flavor profile of all their beers. There is some sweetness that comes through though which is nice.

M: Decently carbonated, decent weight and oily stickiness, but could use more of everything.

D: I had 2 of them and enjoyed them both. Could have had more so pretty high on the drinkability.

Rahr is not making world class beers, but being our only true brewery in the DFW area I enjoy going there regularly for some fresh beers and good atmosphere. I'm not sure I would seek this out to buy, but if Texas craft is what I was after it's not bad. I do enjoy the beers every time I go to the brewery and the atmosphere is always fun.

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2009 21:22:20 | More by thirdeye11

beerdiablo

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +22.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sampled at the brewery during their Saturday tasting/tours at the unveiling weekend for Stormcloud, a.k.a. Stürmwölke.

This pours a deep gold with a small head and minimal lacing. A slight nose of hops and malt accompany a solid, IPA taste with a thicker mouthfeel than most IPAs. Not a hop bomb, just a solid beer with a nice malt backbone to support the hops.

They've termed this a German IPA, since it was brewed using all German ingredients. No such style is listed on BA but perhaps a new entry can be made. Most interesting is that they used Kölsch yeast, which gives this a unique flavor and finish.

I recommend that those trying this not judge it compared to American IPAs, especially beers from the West coast. This is a different beer.

This is one of Rahr's best beers to date and I see it being a hit.

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2008 02:47:59 | More by beerdiablo

EPICAC

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at Cricket's in Waco.

Appearance: Pours a lightly hazy copper. Topped by a foamy, beige head that thins to a film.

Smell: Herbal and grassy hops, with undertones of toasty malts.

Taste: Toasty, lightly sweet malts upfront, moving into a citric, herbal and grassy hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Moderate carbonation, medium-bodied, a little oily.

Drinkability: Nicely balanced, not too sweet.

Overall: A nice IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

08-08-2007 19:35:26 | More by EPICAC

Morris729

Texas

4.43/5  rDev +31.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a clear golden amber color with a short white head that fades into a thin lace. Nose is fresh grain, sweet malt, and lightly floral hops. Taste is quite crisp with floral (not citrusy) hops along with just the right balance of sweet malt. Very refreshing and highly drinkable. I’ve never heard of a “German IPA” before, but whatever you call this, it’s a winner.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2007 21:54:44 | More by Morris729

Premo88

Texas

3.99/5  rDev +18%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle poured into pub glass

L: murky caramel with definite amber highlights; almost orange, actually ... kind of cool. love the murky opaque look. slight off-white fluffy head that laces; not a ton of lace but definite clingings on the glass wall.

S: molasses mixed into a typical hoppy American pale ale; in fact, the sweet/malty/molasses smell is very on balance with the hops, to the point that the hops do not stand on their own in the nose.

T: follows the nose almost to a T. wonderful and interesting spin on the American IPA ... that sweet taste in there is very different and hard for me to place exactly. the bottom line is there's a lot of balance here between the barley and hops.

M: crisp, clean, a wonderful lightness that is not watery. would be perfect but it's actually over-carbonated, which doesn't bother me at all because I love carbonation -- but even I can tell this one is just a hair overboard from the mythical "perfect."

O: absolutely LOVE it! I don't overscore it here because it's not going to change your life and cause you to declare Stormcloud is the only beer you will ever drink again. No. it's very, very good, not necessarily a classic, but what I love is the BALANCE ... loads of interesting tastes besides hops, yet enough hops (and ABV) to push it past the American pale ale category into the American IPA.

for a Texas comparison, I think this tastes almost exactly like Karbach's Rodeo Clown ... maybe just a bit toned down across the board -- taste, smell, ABV, et. al.

a damn good option when you're out and about in the Metroplex and/or other Texas spots.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 03:52:45 | More by Premo88

GossageBrewery

Missouri

2.75/5  rDev -18.6%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

Poured this American IPA from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Poured a clear amber color, produced an average off white head, poor retention and it left a little lacing on the glass. The aroma consisted of light malted grain and a slight hint of oranges. Medium bodied, there is a slight malted grain base, gives way quickly to sweet oranges. Some what floral with just a touch of bitter hops. Overall, its a nice session beer- in terms of an AIPA , its rather simple- a little watery/thin- Could use a more generous helping of hops.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 17:38:26 | More by GossageBrewery

Dusty6467

Texas

2.65/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.25

I keep trying to like Rahr beers since I live about 6 minutes from the brewery, but it's just not my style. For an IPA, the heavy malts just don't work.

A: good 2 finger head, great lacing, not a lot of carbonation bubbles, amber copper color

S: strong Carmel with hints of hops

T: strong malt heaviness, Carmel, breadiness grain, slight hop bitterness

M: decent carbonation, sessionable

O: unbalanced, too much malt and not enough hops! unique but not my personal style

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 02:43:09 | More by Dusty6467

Labeorphile

Texas

3.15/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Poured from bottle into a tulip glass. One finger sticky head with a mix of small and larger bubbles. No bubble support from underneath. Appealing darker copper color, darker than a typical IPA. Good lacing all the way down.

Smell is kind of light. Not as much hoppiness in the aroma as I expected. A little underlying maltiness, likely due to the push toward a more German inspired IPA.

Flavor matches nose. Lacking in hops, heavier in malt. Plenty of bitterness, but again, weak in the hops. Mouth feel is about right for an IPA, good carbonation.

Not bad, very drinkable, but feels like an "IPA for the masses".

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 03:21:43 | More by Labeorphile

BryanCarey

Texas

3.23/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This IPA pours to a copper/tan color with a nose that is fruity and malty. The head of foam looks nice and there is a good deal of lacing that continues to the bottom of the glass

This ale has an interesting flavor profile that includes a few surprises for the style. There is some caramel malt, some earthy hops, vanilla, citrus, toasted malt, and a touch of pine. Searching for more flavors reveals a little bit of toffee and other fruit such as lemon. The body of the beer is medium overall and fairly easy drinking for the style.

Stormcloud IPA is a different type of IPA- a beer that has some obvious IPA qualities, but also some German notes that add up to a unique flavor not usually associated with an IPA. Some may even wonder why the company decided to place IPA on the label since this beer isn’t like the typical IPA. I wondered the same thing at first, but I gradually grew to respect this beer for what it is- a German/IPA hybrid that is unlike most products I have tried previously.

This IPA may be a letdown to those looking for some intense hop flavors, but it is still an interesting beer in its own way. It isn’t easy to find, but I recommend sampling a bottle or two if you get the chance, just to find out what such a combination of German and IPA will taste like.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 05:25:30 | More by BryanCarey

kyleelton

Texas

2.8/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

It looks really nice. Beautiful foamy head and golden, clear. It's got a weird sweetness in the nose. Can't place it, but its a little funky and unpleasant, even if its not strong. It might be diacytl, but I'm not sure.

Too much bitterness and not enough balance. Love hops, but sometimes they bitter too much and don't bring the flavor. That's what we got here. A little sweetness, I guess from the malts but it doesn't feel right. Mouth feel it full. Over all its not too bad. Its problems don't make it undrinkable, but probably won't seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 02:21:09 | More by kyleelton

mactrail

California

3.45/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark amber color in the glass. Pleasantly carbonated with a nice mouthfeel. Foam is ample. Some malty richness, but a thin body.

An unassuming amber ale sort of brew. It might be a stretch to call it an IPA. Fruity, dark flavors emerge along with the hops. Some leafy, herbaceous taste as well as an earthy touch. Not much actual bitterness, but a resiny taste in the back of the mouth. Quite drinkable, and the mellow hops are rather pleasant as long as you're not expecting a whipping from the Hop Dominatrix.

A nice change from the ubiquitous Texas blondes, but no trophy wife. From the 12 oz bottle bought at H and H Beverage in Abilene..

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 05:52:56 | More by mactrail

Tone

Missouri

3.58/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear, copper color. 1/2 inch head of an off-white color. Good retention and good lacing. Smells of sweet malt, hops, hint of pale malt, hint of cracker, and hint of citrus. Fits the style of an American IPA. Mouth feel is smooth and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of hops, hint of citrus, sweet malt, and a hint of pale malt, hint of yeast. Overall, aroma and taste were muted to begin, but slowly came to life as this warmed. Still, rather average for an AIPA with good appearance and feel.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 12:29:19 | More by Tone

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.35/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

clean amber pour with 2 fingers foamy white head and great lacing.
smells a bit strange - piney with a slight hint of vegetables (broccoli/sugar snap peas), honey
taste is an earthy bitter up front, followed by a sweet frosted flakes like backbone, slight hop bitterness in the background, a bit of honey/caramel in the finish.
a very lightly carbonated medium body ipa.

this is a pretty average ipa, seems like it wasn't fresh, maybe that's the reason i didn't get much hop profile out of it. as far as the malts go, they are a nice blend of bitter and sweet.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2012 01:29:15 | More by facundoCNB

mjurney

Texas

3.5/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance:
Pale amber, clear. Some bubble rising. Small white head.

Aroma:
Aroma is light, caramel malts and some herbal hops, maybe a little citrus.

Taste:
Caramel malts, slight nutty. Herbal hops, orange peel, touch of pine. A little tropical fruit. Dry finish and aftertaste.

Body:
Medium-light body, tangy, medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 16:37:26 | More by mjurney

bmwats

Louisiana

2.9/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pub glass.

A: Deep copper hue. Pours about 3 finger, foamy, whitish head. Crumbles away slowly, leaving lots of dry, sticky residue behind; and a blanket of lingering foam. Sporadic but persistent lacing remains.

S: Baked Italian bread, with a little lemon citrus, and honey. All on something of a woody tone.

T: Earthy and very piny. There's some hints of bubble gum, and dish soap, too.

M: Mouth puckering hop. Dry finish. An off-putting aftertaste.

D: This one does not go down easy.

Atmosphere is really nice. Very deep copper color with a big foamy head, and some nice persistent lacing. Nose is woody baked bread with some citrus and and sugar. Flavor is a very off-putting combination of pine with maybe some pine cleaner. Overall, this is a decent quaff.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 03:41:13 | More by bmwats

gatornation

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

from 12 oz bottle i received as a extra

A=pours a clear golden amber color wit a 1 finger head

S- was malts and pine hops sweet bread

T- sweet bread malts first followed by a nice amount of pine hops with a bit of citrus

M- was crisp with oine hops medium carbonation a good amount of malts

O- a good ipa that leans towards malts but still has that bitter pine needle bite..not bad

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 00:06:54 | More by gatornation

SWMeyer4141

Texas

3.53/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Claret...

Appearance-Dark burnt orange body with a white head, about one finger, that dissipates quickly. Leaves some nice lacing.

Smell-I could smell the aroma just sitting here looking at the beer writing the appearance. Bready, Caramel, Sweet, Malty. Very little hop aroma, some floral notes and I guess a little bit of pine.

Taste-The pine really comes through with the taste. Starts off with some caramel, and even some subtle chocolate. Then hit with some fresh pine and finish is pretty bland, but very clean and nice.

Mouthfeel-Pretty moderate carbonation, body is definitely medium. Pretty drinkable.

Overall-Not too bad. Haven't had much to say about Rahr and Sons but this one is okay, just missing some hop bitterness. above average beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 23:23:27 | More by SWMeyer4141

tjkinate

Texas

3.3/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Texas beer night continues!

Poured this partly cloudy, burnt orange bodied brew into a standard pint glass which produced a small head that was gone before I knew it. Only high point was that some lacing was exhibited.

Smell was sweet, surprisingly so. Reminded me of a pumpkin ale which left me questioning, where did the hops go?

Hops were more noticeable in the tasting, but were far from strong and were oddly accompanied by carmel malts and vanilla. Is this an IPA?

Never do I find the mouthfeel being my favorite part of a beer, well until now. Medium bodied, solid carbonation.

Overall, it seems this beers recipe of combining pumpkin and IPA characteristics should have been just an experiment. I love that Rahr & Sons went out on a limb, but its just not good enough to be one of your breweries staples.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 23:09:38 | More by tjkinate

chicano4craft

Colorado

2.25/5  rDev -33.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Thanks to slimchill for the extra.

Poured into tulip. Clear and light orange with a hugh fluffy white head. Nice sticky lacing. Looks the part.

Not much going on in the nose. Some grass and subtle citrus. Malt doesn't contribute much.

Taste follows the nose. Where did the hops go? Taste more like a weak pale ale. There's a generic bitterness with some subtle malt sweetness. The flavors aren't gross, there just not there.

Mouthfeel is very thin. Good carbonation.

Overall I was left wanting. With a low abv I guess you could call it a session IPA. This was my second beer from Rahr and Sons and so far I'm still looking for a winner.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2011 23:24:19 | More by chicano4craft

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.4/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass, I picked this up from Central Market in Fort Worth while we were staying with a friend. The beer pours a crystal clear, orange-straw coloring with a foamy, airy, big bubbled head that leaves a great lacing along the glass. Heavy sweet aromas that muddle the hoppy characteristics in the nose. Some citrus highlights present in the smell, also. The beer has a smokey sweet flavor to start, with spicy, peppery, bitter roasted hops on the main palate. Some toasty and citrusy flavors blend the end flavors together very well. Good finish that subtly lingers with citrus and spice. Slgiht toasty aftertaste. Very tasty, despite slightly watered down initial flavors. This beer finished strong.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2011 01:59:51 | More by GarthDanielson