Let's give a big round of applause to massive environmental footprinting.  Seriously, hops from New Zealand flown in to make a batch of beer. Who am I to talk; I've ordered beer bottles from Belgium.


Southern Hemisphere Harvest = 9/10

Ratebeer 3.75 98th  percentile
Beer Advocate A-

At least it tastes really good. The nose was uneventful with only the faintest mix of citrus, pine and floral spices. The very hop forward taste gives a lot to think about. I'm thinking..loads of pine, floral and orange citrus, but where is this slightly burnt flavour coming from? It's good. Maybe the bready and caramel malts are carrying this sensation? The pondering carries on as the burnt pine lingers for a long time. Could it be charred orange peel? Excellent beer!

Taste +4
Aftertaste +2
Alcohol Content +1 6.7%
Value +1
Appearance +1

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Celebration Ale 2009

Ratebeer 3.76 98th percentile
Beer Advocate A-

Taste +3

Yes the picture is correct, it does look that red and caramelly. The big pillowy head had good retention but didn't reveal too much nose. This brew was in stark contrast to the last beer I sampled: the Torpedo. The bready and earthy malts were more prominent, with the astringent,resinous and floral hops taking a back seat. As it warmed up more toffee malts pushed the hops aside.

Aftertaste +2

The long astringent, resinous hops coated the tongue.

Alcohol Content +1 6.9%

Value 0

It was good, but not that good.
Ingame Enhancement +1

Still in Seattle sampling great beers. I'm sure how long me palate can last.

Overall 7/10

It was a little malty for an IPA, but still good.

Hop Trip Deschutes
606 IPA Paddock Wood
Slipknot IPA

Torpedo Extra IPA (Sierra Nevada)

Ratebeer 3.75 98th percentile
Beer Advocate A-

The torpedo is a magical dryhopping device.
From SN website "The device essentially works like an espresso machine. A stainless filter basket is packed full of whole cone hops loaded into the vessel and sealed against pressure. The device is then placed in the fermentation cellars ...The flow of beer out of the tanks, into the Torpedo and back into the fermenter can be controlled to extract different levels of flavor, aroma and bitterness. " The Torpedo IPA is also one of the few beers to use the Citra variety of hops.


Taste +4

The nose is oddly faint but a light citrus and pine does emerge. It pours a deep amber/garnet with little head retention which is not surprising because there is little carbonation. Like any good IPA there is sweet citrus, pine with a slight astringency. It is really not that bitter. The hops range from sweet tangerine to a mild cotton candy. You can barely make out the bready and toffee malts.

Aftertaste +2

There is a slight warm coating left on the tongue with a good dash of citrus, pine with a bit of herbal.

Alcohol Content +1 7.2%

Value +1

Hop Head Approved.

Ingame Enhancement +1

Still in Seattle sampling beers. I accidentally bought this one in Victoria recently. It was as good as I remembered it.
Overall 9/10

Torpedo is a big IPA. Everything is there: the tangerine citrus, cotton candy, pine and barely enough toffee malts to hold it together.

Phillip's Crazy 8's
Brockton IPA
Red Racer IPA

KellerWeis (Sierra Nevada)

Ratebeer 3.62 96th percentile
Beer Advocate A-


Taste +4

After the pour, the standard pillowy head emits a pronounced lemongrass, yeast and wheat aroma. Things become nonstandard when the creamy, medium mouthfeel fluid offers no tartness at all. Without this tart distraction you are able to enjoy the lemons, big bananas and wheat flavours. There is a hint of clove spice at the end. Oddly this hefe holds its nose right until the end.
Aftertaste +1

A slow fading reveals creamy bananas and a mild clove spiciness.

Alcohol Content -1 4.8%

There is a surprising amount of flavour for such a low alcohol beer.

Value +1

Truly a great hefe.

Ingame Enhancement +1

Still in Seattle enjoying great beer. The flavours keep getting better and better.

Overall 6/10

Don't let the low score fool you. This hefe has it all: a big citrus and yeasty nose, with a very refreshing and drinkable profile.

Tree Brewing Hefe and I get by...
Marin Hefeweiss
Granville Island Hefeweizen

Big Foot Ale 2010

I have heard good things about this big ale. Most of it mentions successes with aging.

Ratebeer 3.89 99th percentile
Beer Advocate A-

Taste +3

The nose was light with citrus but mostly a wallop of pine and resinous hops. A touch of fruitiness and alcohol could also be noted. The mouthfeel was medium to full with low carbonation and a pronounced alcohol tingle/burn. Throughout your sip was the unrelenting hops, similar to the nose. Some light fruits (peaches and apricots) managed to sneak through. It is quite a bitter brew.

Aftertaste +2

This could easily be a -2 if your palate is not favourable to big, bitter beers. It was long, dry and astringent. The dominant flavours were resinous hops and alcohol.

Alcohol Content +1 9.6%

There was no hiding it anywhere.

Value 0

I can see this beer benefiting from ageing. It was a little harsh when fresh.

Ingame Enhancement 0

Still in Seattle, I wish I had bought 2 bottles. The other could have been saved for aging.

Overall 6/10

If you like a strong, hoppy and boozy brew grab one of these. If you have the patience, but a couple aside for a few years.

Legacy Ale (Swans)

Old Cellar Dweller
Green Flash Barleywine