Idiot IPA
Coronado Brewing Company

Idiot IPAIdiot IPA
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From:
Coronado Brewing Company
 
California, United States
Style:
Imperial IPA
Ranked #1,930
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
87
Ranked #16,063
Avg:
3.89 | pDev: 11.83%
Reviews:
402
Ratings:
1,538
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 24, 2023
Added:
May 10, 2007
Wants:
  58
Gots:
  322
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by BuckeyeNation:
Photo of BuckeyeNation
Reviewed by BuckeyeNation from Iowa

4.03/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
"A man profits more by the sight of an idiot than by the orations of the learned."

--Arabian proverb

Radiant orange with a brassy glow and edges of 24-karat gold. Despite the fact that the beer is unfiltered, it's as clear as a bell so far (note: a light haziness appears eventually). The putty colored lid sports a micro-bubbled surface and the upper reaches of the glass sport a ridiculous amount of lace.

The nose is bright and citric fruity. It smells like a few bushelbasketfuls of lemons, oranges and grapefruits have been freshly squeezed into the pint glass. At least one (and probably more) of the C-hops must be present. Thankfully, there's no caramel malt and no alcohol.

This Coronado offering is a good, solid DIPA that isn't likely to put a serious scare into the big boys. Interestingly, it's the first DIPA that I've seen that actually puts the words 'San Diego IPA' on the label. Yeah, we know you guys invented the style (thanks for that). Technically, though, didn't Vinnie Cilurzo invent it? If not, he certainly perfected it with Pliny The Younger.

Anyway, back to the Idiot. As the aroma suggested, we're dealing with pretty much 100% pale malt (I could be convinced that something slightly darker is present as well). The beer is a little sweet, though hops do a good job of cutting through the sugars with a moderate alpha acid buzzsaw.

The sugar cookies in sugar syrup bottom end is more than sturdy enough to support the hoppy top end. Bitter orange, sunshine bright lemon and pithy grapefruit are enjoyable and should satisfy most hopheads. If you stick with sips rather gulps, drinkability is up there.

The body/mouthfeel isn't as full and as sappy as it might have been. A well-chosen amount of carbonation (as if such a thing is entirely under a brewer's control) helps to lighten what could have been a very heavy load.

I had no idea what to expect from Idiot IPA, but it's a pretty intelligent choice for those who count DIPAs among their favorite styles. Having said that, less malt and more hops would have been better. Yeah, like I've never said *that* before. Definitely worth a purchase.
Jan 23, 2008
More User Ratings:
Photo of stevoj
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

3.59/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Orangish amber pour with nice fluffy head, soft hoppy aroma, taste is more tart and bitter, pine notes on the finish. Nice sharp DIPA (west coast style)
Nov 24, 2023
 
Rated: 3.69 by BlueSpader from Washington

Oct 15, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by RiceOwls27 from Texas

Jul 08, 2020
 
Rated: 2 by TallGuyCM from California

Jun 24, 2020
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Bottled 2/4/15; drank 3/9/15 @ the Yarchives.

Semi-opaque light orange appearance; white flotsam.

Big eggshell head; frothy lace.

Grapefruit, caramel & pine needle notes in the nose.

Medium mouthfeel.

Pine needle & caramel flavors up front; a grapefruit bite on the finish. As this warmed, a nice peanut butter (!) note emerged.

Not normally my flavor profile, but this was interesting & tasty. I'd have another.
Apr 15, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by dafla67 from Pennsylvania

Mar 28, 2019
 
Rated: 4.62 by evanwoertz from California

Feb 16, 2019
 
Rated: 3.75 by Karibourgeois from Texas

Feb 05, 2019
 
Rated: 3.85 by KMcGrath from Massachusetts

Dec 04, 2018
 
Rated: 3.82 by zknight from Korea (South)

Dec 04, 2018
 
Rated: 3.85 by sweetbrew82 from California

Aug 06, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by eldoctorador from Chile

Aug 01, 2018
 
Rated: 3.85 by derdtheterd from Canada (AB)

Jul 27, 2018
 
Rated: 4.18 by Hopsohard from California

Jun 23, 2018
 
Rated: 3.64 by R_Kole from Canada (AB)

Jun 11, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by bdiiorio from Connecticut

May 05, 2018
Photo of Ghrymm
Rated by Ghrymm from Canada (BC)

3.91/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A pretty good Imperial hoppy IPA.
Apr 02, 2018
 
Rated: 3 by Keeling from California

Mar 03, 2018
Photo of Stoutmaster9
Reviewed by Stoutmaster9 from California

3.78/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours a pale, murky golden orange, with probable 'junk in the trunk' at a glance, rather few carb bubbles, drifting slow.
Thin head of fine bubbles. Lacing present.

Sour malt scent. Lemon Aura.

Taste follows the nose, crisp and sour malt, with a citrus hint; loaf of lime, with half a hint of grapefruit-pine. Bold booze.
If finesse is you aim, move on. For an 8.5% this is super easy drinking.
Jan 18, 2018
Idiot IPA from Coronado Brewing Company
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 1538 ratings