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Overrated West Coast Style IPA
Surly Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Surly Brewing Company
- Minnesota, United States
- Style:
- American IPA
- ABV:
- 7.3%
- Score:
- 91
- Avg:
- 4.08 | pDev: 8.09%
- Reviews:
- 260
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Oct 16, 2021
- Added:
- Feb 05, 2013
- Wants:
- 123
- Gots:
- 316
It's been said; "Its easier to brew an extremely hoppy beer than an extremely balanced beer." And you know us, we are always looking for the easy way out, so we jumped on the West Coast IPA Bandwagon and brewed this dry and hoppy ale. "Surly's a little bit of a one-trick pony, they just brew gimmick beers," and maybe we are OVERRATED, but at the end of the day it's just a beer. If yo like it, great, so do we. If you only liked us when we were small, then leave this one on the shelf. Let one of the fanyboys grab it.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by JamesMN:
Reviewed by JamesMN from Minnesota
4.09/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.09/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Canned on 4/2/13.
Appearance: Pale golden with good clarity and a lot of effervescence. About one finger of sudsy off-white head.
Aroma: A pleasant hop-forward blend of pineapple, grapefruit, citrus, and a touch of pine.
Taste: Along the lines of what I expected from the aroma but definitely some moments of greatness in there. First half is on the sweeter side with a dab of caramel malt flavor and a very light bitterness. As the bitterness intensifies in the second half the hops lend flavors of citrus, pine, and a few succulent moments of a mango/passion fruit character during the finish. I'd clock the IBUs in around 100, Surly never skimps on the consumer in that department. Unlike Abrasive which has oatmeal added in the mash to smooth out the flavor, Overrated has an in-your-face type of bitterness that lingers nicely in the aftertaste. Good and dry finish. Most definitely qualifies as a West Coast IPA, and a very good one at that.
Mouthfeel: Medium in body with aggressive carbonation. Above average drinkability.
Final Thoughts: What you've got here is a very good beer. However, I think Surly jumped the gun by naming it "Overrated" because it really isn't so spectacular that the joke works. But I think their point has been made: Surly brews good beer and at the end of the day that's all any of us care about. As a side note, this beer tastes an awful lot like Summit Brewery's Saga IPA. Would I drink it again? Yes, one of my favorite beer styles from one of my favorite local breweries.
Apr 12, 2013Appearance: Pale golden with good clarity and a lot of effervescence. About one finger of sudsy off-white head.
Aroma: A pleasant hop-forward blend of pineapple, grapefruit, citrus, and a touch of pine.
Taste: Along the lines of what I expected from the aroma but definitely some moments of greatness in there. First half is on the sweeter side with a dab of caramel malt flavor and a very light bitterness. As the bitterness intensifies in the second half the hops lend flavors of citrus, pine, and a few succulent moments of a mango/passion fruit character during the finish. I'd clock the IBUs in around 100, Surly never skimps on the consumer in that department. Unlike Abrasive which has oatmeal added in the mash to smooth out the flavor, Overrated has an in-your-face type of bitterness that lingers nicely in the aftertaste. Good and dry finish. Most definitely qualifies as a West Coast IPA, and a very good one at that.
Mouthfeel: Medium in body with aggressive carbonation. Above average drinkability.
Final Thoughts: What you've got here is a very good beer. However, I think Surly jumped the gun by naming it "Overrated" because it really isn't so spectacular that the joke works. But I think their point has been made: Surly brews good beer and at the end of the day that's all any of us care about. As a side note, this beer tastes an awful lot like Summit Brewery's Saga IPA. Would I drink it again? Yes, one of my favorite beer styles from one of my favorite local breweries.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by cyclonece09 from Wisconsin
4.12/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.12/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a can into a pint glass. Pours orange yellow with a fluffy white head. Smells of citrus hops with pine notes. Tastes of citrus and piney hops, nice balance. Beer is light bodied and easy drinking, good carbonation. Overall, a very good beer.
Jul 19, 2020Reviewed by defunksta from Wisconsin
4.04/5 rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
4.04/5 rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: Pours a clear, deep, medium orange color with a strong, clinging white head. SRM of 10. (4.25)
Aroma: Mild to medium aromas of deep and soapy orange and grapefruit citrus. Fresh wet orange pulped orange peel. It's deep and resinous with a sharp pine & flower aroma underneath the resin. Definitely deep and soapy. Not exactly what I was expecting on my first attempt. (4.00)
Flavor: Follows the nose with soapy citrus upfront. There's orange & grapefruit mostly that has support from pineapple and apricot. Heavy and malty upfront. Some Caramel and Crystal malts come through the middle. As the malt fades it allows some citrus nectar resin to come forth that is reminiscent of fresh and concentrated orange peel. Bitter, but also sweet and heavy. This beer combines bitter and sweet. (4.00)
Feel: Not sure what else needs to be said in terms of the body. Heavy and resinous. Low carbonation. Resinous but not too sticky. Definitely sweet. Feels like a Belgian Tripel in terms of sweetness/body. (3.75)
Compared to Surly's Yummi Bear West Coast IPA 3/27/20: So different. Similar appearance, slightly darker with a stronger head. Less hops on the aroma. Less airy citrus and flower. More resinous orange peel, pine, and malts. Heavier and sweeter for sure. Stronger crystal malts
Compared to SN Torpedo 5/23/20: Pours a lighter color. Stronger aromas of fruit. More orange and grapefruit citrus and more soap. Less caramel and pine. Slightly more bitter.
Overall: This was not quite what I was expecting. I went in expecting a nice, airy, intensely bitter citrus and pine beer similar to Yummi Bear. This was not quite that. This one is heavy, soapy, and malty. Aromas and flavors are restrained. Strong crystal malt flavor profile that balances an otherwise strong soapy bitterness. Amazing how bitter yet also sweet this beer is. Similar to Sierra Nevada Torpedo, but this one is soapier. Maybe could compare to Centennial IPA. It definitely does improve on my second rating. (First Rating: 3.68. Second Rating: 4.09)
Could compare to Bent Paddle or Stone
Mar 27, 2020Aroma: Mild to medium aromas of deep and soapy orange and grapefruit citrus. Fresh wet orange pulped orange peel. It's deep and resinous with a sharp pine & flower aroma underneath the resin. Definitely deep and soapy. Not exactly what I was expecting on my first attempt. (4.00)
Flavor: Follows the nose with soapy citrus upfront. There's orange & grapefruit mostly that has support from pineapple and apricot. Heavy and malty upfront. Some Caramel and Crystal malts come through the middle. As the malt fades it allows some citrus nectar resin to come forth that is reminiscent of fresh and concentrated orange peel. Bitter, but also sweet and heavy. This beer combines bitter and sweet. (4.00)
Feel: Not sure what else needs to be said in terms of the body. Heavy and resinous. Low carbonation. Resinous but not too sticky. Definitely sweet. Feels like a Belgian Tripel in terms of sweetness/body. (3.75)
Compared to Surly's Yummi Bear West Coast IPA 3/27/20: So different. Similar appearance, slightly darker with a stronger head. Less hops on the aroma. Less airy citrus and flower. More resinous orange peel, pine, and malts. Heavier and sweeter for sure. Stronger crystal malts
Compared to SN Torpedo 5/23/20: Pours a lighter color. Stronger aromas of fruit. More orange and grapefruit citrus and more soap. Less caramel and pine. Slightly more bitter.
Overall: This was not quite what I was expecting. I went in expecting a nice, airy, intensely bitter citrus and pine beer similar to Yummi Bear. This was not quite that. This one is heavy, soapy, and malty. Aromas and flavors are restrained. Strong crystal malt flavor profile that balances an otherwise strong soapy bitterness. Amazing how bitter yet also sweet this beer is. Similar to Sierra Nevada Torpedo, but this one is soapier. Maybe could compare to Centennial IPA. It definitely does improve on my second rating. (First Rating: 3.68. Second Rating: 4.09)
Could compare to Bent Paddle or Stone
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois
3.84/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.84/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Drank 4/20/14 on draft @ Fischman's.
Semi-opaque bright orange hue.
White head; thick lace.
Orange juice & grapefruit nose.
Medium thick mouthfeel.
Orange pulp & grapefruit rind up front; hints of resin. A dry finish.
This tasted more bitter on tap than from a can-it's more 'West Coast' this way but less enjoyable.
Jul 01, 2019Semi-opaque bright orange hue.
White head; thick lace.
Orange juice & grapefruit nose.
Medium thick mouthfeel.
Orange pulp & grapefruit rind up front; hints of resin. A dry finish.
This tasted more bitter on tap than from a can-it's more 'West Coast' this way but less enjoyable.
Reviewed by ordybill from Georgia
4.15/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.15/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 16 OZ can into a pint glass. The appearance is a is a murky gold color with a large white head. The aroma is full of hops and spice. The taste is a well balanced blend of hops and citrus.
Aug 13, 2018Rated by lockh099 from Minnesota
4.59/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.59/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Definitely a beer I put over Furious.
Jul 27, 2018Reviewed by HoppyBastard from Nebraska
4.22/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
4.22/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 16 ounce can into a Shaker pint glass, "canned on" date 3-16-18.
APPEARANCE: pours a hazy, copper color with one-finger off-white head that slowly dissipated until a thin unbroken layer of small bubbles remained, there is significant lacing on the glass, medium carbonation.
SMELL: bread, caramel and some pineapple citrus.
TASTE: the taste follows the nose, initially bread and sweet pineapple citrus and then an earthy hop profile.
PALATE: medium body and carbonation.
OVERALL: this is a nice juicy IPA, I enjoyed and would buy again, I would recommend to anyone who enjoys the style.
Jul 02, 2018APPEARANCE: pours a hazy, copper color with one-finger off-white head that slowly dissipated until a thin unbroken layer of small bubbles remained, there is significant lacing on the glass, medium carbonation.
SMELL: bread, caramel and some pineapple citrus.
TASTE: the taste follows the nose, initially bread and sweet pineapple citrus and then an earthy hop profile.
PALATE: medium body and carbonation.
OVERALL: this is a nice juicy IPA, I enjoyed and would buy again, I would recommend to anyone who enjoys the style.
Overrated West Coast Style IPA from Surly Brewing Company
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
1709 ratings
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