Russian River Blind Pig IPA

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

Bottle: The highlight of the IPA samples series, after a few IPA samples (and losing the numbness) we tasted this one with ramenen. Bold, lots of pine, resin, grass surprisingly dry non of the oiliness one might expect. Clear with lots of fragments floating around.

On tap at the Toronado. Rich gold in color with a white head. Thick hop aroma. Flowery, but not very citrus-like. Flavor is a different story: Love at first sip! This could be grapefruit juice. Tastes like you’re drinking a freakin’ citrus tree! Fantastic.

On draft at Teresa’s Next Door Cafe. Pours a clear orange gold with a medium off white head. Aroma of orange peel, light pine and honey. Taste of fresh orange peel, pine and grapefruit. Hoppy.

Rating per .5L bottle. I’ve had this on tap in Santa Rosa and it’s much better than the bottled version. A beautiful honey-colored liquid pours out to form a slightly hazy body and a bountiful, off-white head that forms a lumpy landscape, eroding into thick rings and blotches on the side of the glass. The aroma is magnificent, whispering "surely this was dry-hopped," and wafting flowers and citrus blended with pine, light honey, and a sweet french roll. Sadly the bottled version is rather flat--at least my bottle is--but we have a medium body, extremely light carbonation, watery. The plus is that it’s still incredibly refreshing, and there are enough hops to give the illusion of a dry finish. I taste a nice mouthful of hops, not a nasty one, that is strong but not overly so with a nice blend of pine, citrus, and a touch of fruitiness for hops. Hops are matched with a bit of sugar, a bit of that bread we smelled earlier, and some pollen. In the mouth it’s decently balanced, and the aftertaste is dry and well-hopped, boasting of grapefruit, pine, and pollen. Easy drinking, delicious, refreshing...I’m very fond of this IPA. I recommend finding it on tap though re: carbonation issue.

leave it to Russian River to make 3 of the most delicious IPA’s and double IPA’s in the world. This one is the third best of their trifecta and it’s absolutely fantastic.

500ml bottle. I love all the warnings on the label to NOT age this beer! Bottled on 070908. Poured a medium and slightly hazy golden color with a large sized white head. Aromas of pine, citrus, grassy, floral green hoppiness, with some toastiness. Tastes of citrus, pine, a little earthy, with very light caramel in the background.

Bottle, with Alaskanwarren in Denver. Shiny copper, white head. Fresh woodsy nose, grapefruit and a surprising peppermint brightness. Crisp, bright hop flavor, something sharp and wintery about it. Cold steel, mint. Light/medium body with a gentle touch of sweet. As much as this is a beer with a lot of flavor impact, it isn’t just a shouting match—it really has an excellent sense of poise. Remarkably good IPA.

Bottle, thanks Dr. Bill! Light golden color with a wispy foam that lasts well. Very nice nose, which is dominated by very bright woodsy hops, with other light notes of resin and lemon from the hops. Flavor hoppiness and bitterness is very bold and impressive, and lingers in the finish very well. The hops are raw, pure, well utilized and again, they linger well after the swallow. Flavor hops are similar to the nose and can best be described as very woodsy. A minor critique, it doesn’t have a lot of body, but the finish makes up for it. Overall, really nice IPA.