Russian River Blind Pig IPA

Brewed by Russian River Brewing
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Santa Rosa, California USA

I can think of at least three IPA’s (West Coast) that are as good as this one. Two things stand out from those other exceptional American IPA’s. First and foremost this is the most aromatic IPA ever for me. Second, the overall smoothness and balance. The hops are big and bold like many others but the orange/ pineapple and piney resinous hops along with enough sweet malts make this one a wonderful brew. From a 500ml bottle. date of bottling: 7/13/08.

From a 0.5L bottle purchased locally poured into an imperial pint glass. Resiny hops fill the nose with citrus and pine. A golden color with a small white head. Flavor is forward with the hops followed by smooth malt. Crisp lingering bitterness. Carbonation is low and the finish is dry making this beer very drinkable. I could drink this all day long.

500mL bottle from Beerstore.co.nz, bottled in December ’08. Poured off the yeast, it is a hazy golden amber colour, with a frothy off white head. Aroma, wow. I haven’t smelt hops like this before in NZ. A lot of pine needle, which is new to me. An orange peel citrus underlies the strong piny aroma. The malt brings a little caramel to the aroma. Unsurprisingly; the flavour is dominated by piny, pleasantly bitter, resiny hops. Wow, now I know what ‘resiny’ means. Hop flavour coats my mouth, leaving a long lasting pleasant bitterness which screams “DRINK ME MORE!” I left this out to warm for 1.5 hours, yet I still can’t really detect any malt flavour through the huge hops, perhaps the Pliny the Elder will improve on this aspect, otherwise I can’t really fault this beer. This being my very first American craft beer tasted, I have big expectations for the rest!

Pours a hazy golden color with a two finger thick pure white head that remains. Smells of terrific hops, citrus fruits, sweet lemons, and pine. Some earthy grass also prevalent. Tastes of rich citrus, deep earth tones, and wonderful bitter hops. Finishes delicately bitter and wonderful!

Amber golden drop. White head. Aromas of pine, passionfruit, citrus. Taste; resiny itterness, more citrus, hints of caramel from the malt. RIch and smooth in the mouth, long lasting bitterness. Clean and very well crafted beer.

Pretty tasty. One of my fav. ipa’S AS WELL. cAN DRINK THIS UNTIL THE SUN GOES DOWN. Very very tasty and hope it comes to texas soon

Rating # 300 , 500ml Bottle thanks to CaryTheDude. A dull golden color body with a big soapy white head,light to medium carbonation and tuns of stricky lace. Aroma is hoppy, piny,floral and citrus rind,Very nice. Flavor is bitter with some pine up front, a very tasty caramel malt backbone,more citrus hops,a bit of resin,hints of peppercorn,orange peel,just plain juice and balanced,very very good, a nice bitter finish with a hoppy aftertaste, medium body without being sticky feeling at all. A very drinkable top shelf IPA for sure.

Bottle. Pours clear light golden with a thin white head, good lacing. Bountiful hop odor, pine, hay, and a little musky, I just want to keep smelling it. Body is a little thicker than I was expecting, very nice, not at all syrupy. Little bit of caramel candy malt, strong pine flavor, bitter, long aftertaste.