Bitter Valentine
Alewerks Brewing Company

Bitter ValentineBitter Valentine
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From:
Alewerks Brewing Company
 
Virginia, United States
Style:
Imperial IPA
Ranked #434
ABV:
8.3%
Score:
94
Ranked #2,367
Avg:
4.23 | pDev: 9.69%
Reviews:
139
Ratings:
569
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jul 14, 2022
Added:
Feb 18, 2012
Wants:
  120
Gots:
  82
A poured glass of Bitter Valentine is full of intentions and optimistic expectations. An empty glass of Bitter Valentine is getting dumped on February 13th, left to wonder if you will ever love again. Not especially challenging as the name implies, the flavor is exceptionally balanced and smooth with notes of citrus and pine from Pacific Northwest hops.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of Brumaster77
Reviewed by Brumaster77 from North Carolina

4.69/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Great color with a hint of fruity aromas. The initial pour left about two fingers of head. Not too hoppy, but a strong beer at 8.3%. The taste is very pleasant and smooth. A very well balanced IPA. This is a seasonal beer, but a highly popular crowd favorite in the Williamsburg area.
Jul 14, 2022
 
Rated: 4.35 by StanleysCup from Maryland

May 07, 2022
Photo of brewerburgundy
Reviewed by brewerburgundy from West Virginia

4.1/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
16oz can, tulip, canned 12/31/21. Bravo to Alewerks for having a clear canned on date!

There’s a rush of light copper and a satisfying amount of bubbles when poured. I ended up with three perfect fingers of head and they collapse very slowly, tracing the upper walls of the glass with a patchwork of bubble crochet. It’s clear and the head is truly magnificent.

The aroma is pleasant, but not particularly strong. I pick up tangerine, general citrus, possibly mango, and biscuit.

Herbal, oily, orange and grapefruit provide an immediate flavor punch. You then float through a bitter middle with some alcohol and pine before you reach the still bitter, almost English malt finish.

It’s dry and straddling a line between creamy and abrasive that is a sweet spot for west coast IPAs. Medium body, medium carbonation.

This is an admirable west coast IPA from a Virginia outfit that I like more every time I give them a try.
Feb 25, 2022
Photo of mschenk
Reviewed by mschenk from Virginia

4.63/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Pours a rich amber with a nice creamy head that has good retention and good lacing.

Fruity notes shine through

Very pleasant taste with the citrus notes and a bitter heel

Typical feel for this this type of beer.

This is an excellent beer but at 8.3% I wouldn't drink too many if I need to drive. But if you don't need to drive, enjoy as many as you would like, and you will like quite a few of these
Feb 06, 2022
Photo of MrOH
Reviewed by MrOH from Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Deep gold with chill haze, nice white head, great retention
Ruby red grapefruit and blood orange hop aroma
Taste follows smell. Some light malt sweetness.
Medium bodied and appropriately carbonated.
More San Diego than San Diego on this one.
Jan 23, 2022
 
Rated: 3.94 by NastyNorseman from New York

Jun 13, 2021
Photo of hman43
Reviewed by hman43 from North Carolina

4.24/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Look: It pours golden and clear with a slightly off white head. Head retention is excellent.

Smell: It has aromas of stone fruit, citrus, and grapefruit. There is a light grainy sweetness in background.

Taste: Stone fruit is the dominate flavor with citrus support and grapefruit. There is a bit of floral in the background with support with some grainy sweetness.

Feel: It has a medium full body with a slight bit of slickness on the tongue. It has a strong bitter finish but it is not harsh.

Overall, great flavors and bitterness enhances the drinkability making this a great beer.
May 29, 2021
Photo of duffbeer2020
Rated by duffbeer2020 from Virginia

4.52/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Like a slightly more bitter 90 min IPA. Really good.
May 09, 2021
 
Rated: 3.75 by Shenk87 from Pennsylvania

Apr 05, 2021
 
Rated: 4.11 by GreenMind from Pennsylvania

Mar 21, 2021
 
Rated: 4.09 by mflamar from New York

Jan 24, 2021
Photo of BeerAndGasMasks
Reviewed by BeerAndGasMasks from Virginia

4.03/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From the can, it pours a slightly hazy amber with a large white, long lasting, head that leaves lacing as you enjoy it. In the nose, it is piney with a touch of malt. In the mouth, you are hit with light hop bitterness, followed by a nice malt.
May 10, 2020
 
Rated: 4.03 by RBorsato from Virginia

Mar 14, 2020
 
Rated: 4.49 by dafla67 from Pennsylvania

Apr 12, 2019
 
Rated: 4.09 by Jason_cs from Florida

Mar 05, 2019
Photo of MaltNPeppa
Rated by MaltNPeppa from Virginia

5/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I look forward to this sexy thing every February.
Feb 18, 2019
Photo of LifesAnesthesia
Reviewed by LifesAnesthesia from Virginia

4.44/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L - Hazy golden/yellow with a thick frothy white head that sticks around and leaves some lacing behind
S - Bitter piney hops and malt dominate the nose
T - Follows the nose - bitter, piney hops up front and throughout along with some floral notes and a malt backbone - slightly grassy and earthy.
F - Medium bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Smooth, crisp, but a little creamy
O - A really solid IPA that does absolutely nothing wrong, but doesn't really stand out from the pack - except that this is an exceptional beer in AleWerks portfolio.
Feb 15, 2019
 
Rated: 4.23 by Wandreotta from Florida

Oct 09, 2018
 
Rated: 4.09 by mkholmes25 from Virginia

Jul 03, 2018
 
Rated: 4.52 by robebo44 from Virginia

Mar 28, 2018
Bitter Valentine from Alewerks Brewing Company
Beer rating: 94 out of 100 with 569 ratings