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Karl Strauss Big Barrel Double IPA 3.6 33

Karl Strauss Big Barrel Double IPA

Percentile
92
overall

bottled
available

on tap
available

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RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
333.76/5.03.6/5.0Special9%54.5Snifter, Tulip
Commercial Description:
“To kick off this series of intense hoppy beers, we wanted to go big. Imported New Zealand Nelson Sauvin hops provide a vibrant tropical aroma that raises eyebrows and expectations. Aggressive amounts of Warrior and Ahtanum hops produce an assertive bitterness that stands out against a firm malt backbone. Balanced even at 90 IBUs, Big Barrel leaves a considerable first impression that serves as a prelude of things to come.” According to a brewery rep, the beer will be distributed throughout Southern California and they’re planning on doing 1,000 cases of 22’s. Specs: Color 15.4 SRM ALC 9.0% IBU 90 PLATO 20
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 DaSilky1 (2025), San Diego, California, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/514/20

Nov 7, 2009  
Pours clear golden with thick, solid sheets of lacy head. The nose was spicy. The flavors, they were hoppy, spicy, piney, and a bit resinous... the body was thick and syrupy, yet not too much so...the hops tend to turn grassy...the alcohol is pronounced, yet not really hot...there’s a stinging wetness thoug...a residual bitter metalicness of the hops, but really...in an overall setting...its not too shabby for the overrated style of double fucknut IPA.

 Lagunitasfan (479), San Diego, California, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/104/516/20
Dec 17, 2009  
22 oz bottle from Bevmo. Orange amber with killer head. Just off white, thick, creamy, and lasts ’til the bottom of the glass. Nose is stinky high sweet bitter hops. Light and crisp. Taste is sharp and sweet and lightly sugary. Nice bitterness follows. Definite pine tree scents and tastes. More caramel as it warms. A little plain in the back half. Bitterness shows up after a pause. Nice one overall, especially at the $4.29 price point.


 badlizard (2386), Berkeley, California, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/104/516/20
Dec 17, 2009  
Bottle from Wholefoods. Clear orange with a fizzy off white head. Good earthy herbal hops aroma. Tastes of grass and pine up front followed by a decent bitterness and finishing with a caramel, citrus, and toffee sweetness.


 JoeTheYounger (293), California, USA
4.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/105/58/104/517/20
Dec 11, 2009  
Bottle from mspindler. Aroma of burnt caramel, sweet sugar, hops, citrus (amazing). Appearance was golden clear with a beautiful head. Taste was very hoppy with nice bitterness and malt backbone. Nice carbonation. Very very good IPA. I was shocked by this one.


elguapo47 (9), California, USA
does not count click to see why this rating of Karl Strauss Big Barrel Double IPA  does not count
4.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/59/104/517/20
Dec 9, 2009  
22 oz. bottle, liquor store. Aroma- impressive citrus/tropical fruit hop nose front and center. Appearance- dark golden amber color. nice carbonation. Taste- firm citrus hop bitterness up front, hints of tangerine, passion and fruit flavors. maltiness comes through just enough to provide enough balance so hops don’t blow out the palate. Palate- full body. dry, long and lingering hop bitterness that sits on the tongue, but in a pleasant way. Overall- for KS first 22oz bomber, this is the way to go. about time KS! super hoppy, flavorful, yet balanced. at 9%, got a nice kick to it also.


 BrotherGrendel (610), San Diego, California, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/58/104/515/20
Dec 1, 2009  
Pours a bright orange hue with a modest layer of frothy white head and super sticky lacing on the glass. Nose is amazing hop aromas, fresh pine and grass with grapefruit and sweet citrus tones. Flavor follows with high hop bitterness and piney-grassy-citrus hop flavors apparent from the onset, bready sweet malts provide appropriate balance, hints of tea leaves in the bitter drying finish. Medium body, oily texture, soft carbonation. A great DIPA from a traditionally underwhelming brewery, I hope this is a sign of good things to come from another SD brewery, big hops and drinkability even at 9%, kudos for using NZ hops here....


 jimbowood (970), Athens, Georgia, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/103/518/20
Nov 28, 2009  
Bottle from naven. A nice iipa. Tons of Nelson hops in the nose and on the tongue. Crisp finish. Nice offering from ls.


 iowaherkeye (1877), Los Angeles, California, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/58/104/515/20
Nov 26, 2009  
22oz bottle, no date from Hollingshead, $5.99. Clear amber orange with a two finger yellowish white head, creamy with good retention. Loads of caramel malt up front in the aroma with citrus, pineapple, and resiny pine hops competing for dominance, floral hops hiding behind. Flavor still has a hearty malt backbone, with the hops staying mostly the same until the finish, where they turn into mangoes and berries. Semi-dry finish with some lisght alcohol and bitterness peaking at a 4-5. Full-body with moderate soft carbonation. Pretty tasty non-West Coast DIPA from the West Coast.


 gotbeach (138), San Diego, California, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/57/104/516/20
Nov 18, 2009  
Bottle @ ks sv. Pours ruby amber with nice off colored white head. Nice smooth hop aroma with some earthy dank grassy notes but not too much. Good smooth body which hides the alcohol nicely. Keep brewing more agressive beers please. Rip Karl.



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