Grand Teton XX Sweetgrass Double IPA

Brewed by Grand Teton Brewing Co.
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Victor, Idaho USA

Sample at Alan’s HSC initation. Bottle from Whole Foods in Henderson, NV (2006 1L Bottle). Wax-dipping is not enough to convey how special this beer is. It also comes with a bottleneck hanger describing the liquid contained therein. Worth the bells and whistles? Not sure because the store had it stickered as a Jolly Pumpkin beer, so the true cost of this beer is unknown to me. Regardless, the beer is a hazy dark orange color with a medium foamy beige head that diminishes slowly. Rings of lacing on the glass. The aroma is malty with notes of tart fruit, alcohol and hops. Rich body and first impression is more Barley Wine than IIPA. Fruity and malty with notes of citrus, carmel and hops. The finish is chewy with subtle hops and spice and a lingering malt aftertaste. Pretty enjoyable overall.

Sampled at Alan’s HSC initiation, thanks Dogbrick: (2006): Very pretty orange pour. Aroma is candied sugars, bit of butter, and alcohol in the nose. Flavor is unsweetened fruit juice blend, orange rinds with a spicy undertone. Finishes bittersweet on the palate.

this beer lacked hop complexity and almost seemed like a weak ipa not even nearing dipa standards...mild citrus hop aroma and more malt sweeness than the hops can back up. not so good....

Pours a slightly hazy dark amber-orange with med-thick, airy, light tan head. Dark citrus hops aromas with a lot of caramel malt sweetness. Some lemony Amarillo hops notes are noticable. Flavor is somewhat heavy on the malt side with considerable sweetness. Good hops flavors as well with more caramelized citrus here as well. Some citrus resin and alcohol in the finish. Body is heavy but doesn’t weigh down the dense flavor profile which holds up well. A good beer if somewhat clumsily put together.

This was a tasty beer, although it’s not quite as hoppy as I would have expected for the style. The flavor is richly malty, only moderately hoppy, but definitely a fine beer.

On tap Boise Front Door Pours out a amber topped with a off white cream head. A very nice aroma of sweet floral hops. Tast of the hops and some caramel. This was a good brew for Grand Teton

1 L bottle, purchased in 2007 from Bristol Farms, La Jolla. Pours hazy copper-amber with a thick creamy beige head that left abundant lace. Rich aroma of toasty-caramel, ripe fruits, hint of spice, spruce, dusty floral hops, candied orange and must. Fruity citrus and toffee malts, some oxidation is noticible, hops are mellow and smooth but still contribute spicy and resiny notes, white pepper in the finish. Full, smooth body and lightly tingly carbonation. This probably would have been better fresh, but still was rather enjoyable.

Bottle shared at kp’s little tasting: Golden hue with no head nor lace, yet again another flat bottle from this brewery. The aroma has notes of pine, grass, grapefruit, apple, caramel, rye bread and earthy elements. The taste starts minty and resiny with a acidic fruit character supported by bready sweet malts. Mild hop spice upon the astringent finish. The mouth feel is sharp with bitterness but flat with lack of carbonation. Despite the obvious flaw, the beer is still pretty tasty. Who knows how good it would be with carbonation.