Terrapin Rye Squared

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

Thanks to goldtwins for this bottle - cloudy orange pour with minimal head - woody aroma, with a mild sweetness and abundant citrus fruits (mostly oranges, and a touch fo grapefruit), and a hint of tropical fruit, too (mainly apricot) - this lacks the killer bitterness most associated with the style, but I think that is to this beers advantage, because it allows the other flavors that are so underappreciated in this kind of beer to take center stage - the orange, honey, bready malt, hints of caramel malt and mild warm-climate fruit are in perfect balance and and out in all their glory - not for the lover of super bitter IIPAs, but a wonderful beer none-the-less.

Hazed, dark orange coloration, solid, creamy-toned head, swifly dwindling...a nice looking ale, though... Aroma: pungent citrus from the start, a twisted amalgam of grapefruit, pineapple, pine sap, mango, cranberry, and a hint of lemon. If this is a sneak peek of what I’m about to taste, good lord, I’m ready! Brash, bold hoppy bitterness boards the palate at the start, lays down the plank and takes command. Softens some, but the fruit lingers long...With each new sip, another spank from the bitter fruit, this twisted citric rind that tickles the senses, then softly fades, leaving a trace of bitterness behind. Maltier than a typical pale, meatier, beefier, slathering in extra juicy citrus. Medium bodied, medium finish, lingering fruity bitterness, but not too much. Drinking it, I can imagine the ingredients of the regular Rye doubled to create this, but think that I liked them just fine the way they were. This is a delicious mess, but a mess nonetheless. I do like messes, though. They’re nice once in a while, but not for a regular meal.

Bottle shared with Hogtown Harry and Blankboy, Paul’s bottle. Pretty hazy orange, bubbly small head, looks great. Very sweet , not hoppy aroma. Toffee-like - I didn’t think it was that great actually. Decent taste - formidable alcohol punch at first - a lot of sweet malt and sugar. Some hops as well. Not all that drinkable really, they took a great base beer, upped everything, and this unbalanced beer came out - it was ok, but I wouldn’t rush out to try it again.

The double malt in this beer is much more noticeable than the double hops. Could be a little more bitter. Taste and aroma are very unique, very floral like a chamomile. Overall a very good beer, but not as complete as the Terrapin "Big Hoppy Monster."

Bottled. Via trade with goldtwins. Best before "26906FX" whatever the F*ck that means ( sept 26th maybe...) Bright, murky copper color with almost no head. Super sweet malt aroma more reminiscent of a barley wine than an IIPA. There are also some orange notes. Sweet, malty flavor with more orange notes I find typical of the Amarillo hops. Very nice blend of the hops in this beer. More malt forward than most IIPA’s and I cannot find any rye in the flavor but an outstanding beer nonetheless. Sweet caramel lingering finish.

via trade with Beer_Hawk - Pours a deep golden color with a faint head. Big time sweet floral hop aroma with a tad bit of toasted malt to back it up. NICE. Has a nicely balanced flavor with some residual sweetness. I think it lacks just a bit of bitterness to give it that Imperial punch. A smooth medium body beer. Very nice. Thanks Steve.

Bottle from Jimbowood, shared with Bartzilla. I have had this before and I really like it. A nice, hoppy, well-balanced beer that drinks very easily. This is one of the few IIPA’s that I could see myself drinking everyday. This would go well on the beach, in the sun, on a hot summer days. With all those fine california women running around in their bikin’s, all oiled up......I gotta go shower. Anyway, these Terrapin folks make some great beer.

Bottle shared with HogTownHarry & tupalev -- courtesy of ross. Pours a cloudy golden-orange with a few floaties and a small diminishing white head. Nice aroma of rye, sweet malt, sugar, fruit, toffee and some mild hops. Flavour starts mild with some sweet fruit and sweet malt and then hits you with a big boozy bitter finish -- taste isn’t very hoppy and there’s little to no rye. Medium to full bodied. It’s pretty good and an interesting experiment but I much prefer the regular Terrapin Rye.