Terrapin Big Hoppy Monster

Brewed by Terrapin Beer Company
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Athens, Georgia USA

2006 bottle (Thanks TBC2) , will be adding 2005 later. Definitely not IIPA here, but a beer that could be used to ween in people to IIPA, 12oz bottle, pours a fantastic color of dark copper, Imperial Red Ale. Nose is floral and light with solid caramel malt.. taste is something different not bitter and hoppy like an IIPA but not anything else really, closer to American Strong, a quality beer just in a style all its own.

An imperial red - interesting concept, particularly for a beer that advertises itself as a hop bomb. Having tried several bottles of this, most at peak freshness, I can say that this is an enjoyable but not particularly distinct beer. It’s fine looking, with a deep copper body, and is lively in mouthfeel with a bright floral nose. The taste is dominated, however, by malts and sugar. And in my opinion it’s a beer that doesn’t quite know what it wants to be. Very solid, often enjoyable, but not much more than that.

2006 bottle - You gotta be kidding me. An Imperial IPA? Absolutely no freakin’ way. The brewer can call it what it likes, but I just don’t see it. Perhaps an IPA, maybe. Anyways. Aroma was lightly (very lightly) hopped with a strong dose of caramel malts. Appearance was ruby red in appearance, smallish 1 finger off white head. Flavor was floral (reminded me of chewing on a flower petal) and sweet, almost like candi sugar. Not a bad beer, no. Something I’ll seek out again? Probably not. Just too many other good beers out there, that don’t fool the consumer into thinking it’s gonna be a "big hoppy monster" of a beer.

Bottle courtesy of shp555: Poured a deep slightly hazy brown color ale with a big foamy head with good retention and lacing. Aroma of sweet caramel malt with some light citrus hops is quite interesting. Taste is sweeter then expected with some great caramel malt and a medium bitter finish. Body is above average with some medium carbonation and no alcohol was discernable. I was expecting more of a citrus bitter ending but I’m not complaining about the balance but maybe I should re-rate with a more fresh bottle next year.

12oz bottle thanks to beercellar2 for this great extra. 2006 bottle, it should have around 4-6months time on it. poured a murky brown with hints of red, head fell into something soapy. really dark for the style. not a pretty beer. nose is more malt forward than hop, again not of style, aroma notes of caramel and loads of biscuits, some hop juicyness too. taste is extremely nutty and toasted. not very bitter at this stage in it’s life. alcohol is well hidden. i wasn’t that impressed with this beer when i had it fresh and i think i like it was a little age better. although, i’ve never thought it fit the IIPA style, always seemed more like an american strong to me.

Bottle from TheBeerCellar2 - thanks! Pours a dark copper with a thin off-white head that dissipates to a ring of foam. Sweet aroma of caramel malt and piney hops. Creamy medium body with moderate carbonation. The sweet taste has some hoppy grapefruit, along with a nutty caramel malt. Clean finish. I’m going with the designation on the label. This is an imperial red (or amber) ale.

Reddish copper color with a white head that dissappears quickly. Hop aroma is present, but not strong, and a strong dark malty aroma is just as strong. Some spice on the nose as well. A grapefruity hop character is present and compliments the malt character. A mild hop note lingers on the palate, briefly. The palate was creamy, but the beer seemed to be lacking enough carbonation. Very drinkable, but not hoppy enough for a DIPA.

12oz bottle. 2006 vintage, courtesy of TheBeerCellar2. Thanks, Matt! Pours a cloudy, yellowish-rust appearance; small, light-tan, big-bubbled head. Generous, toffee and citrus hop aroma (similar to an English strong ale); caramel and wet malts. Medium-to-full, chewy mouthfeel: caramel and toffee malts; orange and citrus hops; well-balanced, with an emphasis on the maltiness. More of an English strong ale than a IIPA. Long, sweet, wet malt and brown sugar finish.