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West Coast IPA
Green Flash Brewing Co.
- From:
- Green Flash Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- American IPA
Ranked #96 - ABV:
- 7%
- Score:
- 94
Ranked #2,460 - Avg:
- 4.22 | pDev: 10.43%
- Reviews:
- 1,936
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 29, 2024
- Added:
- Mar 26, 2005
- Wants:
- 476
- Gots:
- 2,068
As craft beer pioneers, we embarked on an expedition to brew the benchmark West Coast IPA. We ventured into the unknown and struck gold, discovering a tantalizing menagerie of hops. Simcoe for tropical and grapefruit zest, Columbus for hop pungency, Centennial for pine notes, Citra for citrus zest and Cascade for floral aroma are layered throughout the brewing process. West Coast IPA® exemplifies the Green Flash spirit of adventure and discovery.
95 IBU
Prior to 2014: 7.3% ABV
2014 to 2019: 8.1% ABV
2019 and on: 7.0% ABV
95 IBU
Prior to 2014: 7.3% ABV
2014 to 2019: 8.1% ABV
2019 and on: 7.0% ABV
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by monkeybutler:
Reviewed by monkeybutler from Vermont
4.22/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
4.22/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance is burnt orange with excellent lacing, good carbonation and a wispy white head.
Smell is all citrusy american hops. But for the slight malt backbone, I'd be hardpressed to distinguish this beer from a recently cut grapefruit. From cracking the cap to the end of the pour, prepare to be assaulted with citrus.
The taste doesn't belie the smell. Tons of citrusy american hops, but with a more pronounced maltiness and another layer of underlying hop bitterness. It's very well put together.
The bitterness stays with you a bit, which isn't a terrible downfall, but it can be overwhelming- which is why I don't give it such high marks on drinkability.
Overall this beer is a can't miss in the pantheon of west coast ipas and dipas.
May 06, 2006Smell is all citrusy american hops. But for the slight malt backbone, I'd be hardpressed to distinguish this beer from a recently cut grapefruit. From cracking the cap to the end of the pour, prepare to be assaulted with citrus.
The taste doesn't belie the smell. Tons of citrusy american hops, but with a more pronounced maltiness and another layer of underlying hop bitterness. It's very well put together.
The bitterness stays with you a bit, which isn't a terrible downfall, but it can be overwhelming- which is why I don't give it such high marks on drinkability.
Overall this beer is a can't miss in the pantheon of west coast ipas and dipas.
More User Ratings:
Rated by mpk2020 from Illinois
4.5/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Draft at City Kitchen in Pittsburgh
Feb 29, 2024Reviewed by Greymane from France
4.5/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I remember my first Green Flash IPA was on draft at Pizzeria Paradiso off Dupont Circle in DC. It must have been around 2008, and it was at the time the best IPA I'd ever tasted. Having it to complement a hot wood-fired pizza didn't hurt either. It was the first to have the distinctive Simco grapefruit peel aroma.
Oct 30, 2023Reviewed by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota
4.29/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.29/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12 oz can enjoy by date 10/24/23 into a pint glass.
L: Pours deep amber honey color with a 3/4" crusty, frothy off white head that has VG retention, very light carbo, some sticky lacing.
S: Caramel malts, berries, citrus, pineapple, mango, fairly floral.
T: Caramelized malts, citrus, ripe orange, grapefruit, berries, melon, black tea leaves, honey, a hint of bread, has a slightly resinous finish that retains a bit of sweetness.
F: Soft, smooth med-body with a slick & glassy middle and a mellow med-long finish that is lightly drying.
O: A lovely tasting beer with excellent balance. It has a light touch of honey throughout and has a very light resinous quality. Incredibly easy drinking for its ABV. It is outstanding in its style.
Aug 01, 2023L: Pours deep amber honey color with a 3/4" crusty, frothy off white head that has VG retention, very light carbo, some sticky lacing.
S: Caramel malts, berries, citrus, pineapple, mango, fairly floral.
T: Caramelized malts, citrus, ripe orange, grapefruit, berries, melon, black tea leaves, honey, a hint of bread, has a slightly resinous finish that retains a bit of sweetness.
F: Soft, smooth med-body with a slick & glassy middle and a mellow med-long finish that is lightly drying.
O: A lovely tasting beer with excellent balance. It has a light touch of honey throughout and has a very light resinous quality. Incredibly easy drinking for its ABV. It is outstanding in its style.
Rated by NeilSilber1 from California
4.27/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.27/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours golden yellow with white foamy cap and light notes of pine and back notes of citrus grapefruit and floral. Really nice classic IPA.
Apr 15, 2023Reviewed by TheBricenator from Oregon
4.17/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.17/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Look: Ruby-red and nearly clear with a bountiful off-white head that settles to a lid, leaving good lacing behind
Aroma: Grapefruit – both white and ruby-red, pine sap and needles, a little Cannabis, wafts of berries, and some sweet onion
Taste: Pine hits hard up front and develops as citrus and some berry notes follow closely behind and weave in nicely. Fruity and lightly skunky Cannabis notes appear as the pine/citrus subsides and onion stays in the background throughout. Closes with a bite along with more pine and grapefruit
Mouthfeel: Full, lightly slick, medium-high carbonation, and moderate dryness on the finish
Overall: This is delicious stuff. This beer got me into Simcoe hops 15 years ago and I used to drink it all the time until it ceased being bottled and distributed in the state. Glad to see it still gets tapped now and then and was a nice surprise birthday gift from my boss
Dec 31, 2022Aroma: Grapefruit – both white and ruby-red, pine sap and needles, a little Cannabis, wafts of berries, and some sweet onion
Taste: Pine hits hard up front and develops as citrus and some berry notes follow closely behind and weave in nicely. Fruity and lightly skunky Cannabis notes appear as the pine/citrus subsides and onion stays in the background throughout. Closes with a bite along with more pine and grapefruit
Mouthfeel: Full, lightly slick, medium-high carbonation, and moderate dryness on the finish
Overall: This is delicious stuff. This beer got me into Simcoe hops 15 years ago and I used to drink it all the time until it ceased being bottled and distributed in the state. Glad to see it still gets tapped now and then and was a nice surprise birthday gift from my boss
Reviewed by detgfrsh from Texas
3.93/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.93/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From a can. Amber color with an inch of white foamy head. Earthy pine smell. Medium body with some stickiness. Earthy pine flavor with some grapefruit notes. Solid WCIPA.
Dec 29, 2022Reviewed by JohnniEMc from Pennsylvania
4.02/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
4.02/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Only photos could describe the foamy white mess that rises above the top of a clear glass liter mug. It’s that pathetic. Really, no beer pour, especially an IPA should ever have this much stark white starchy foam pretending to be a head. This is the consequence of trying to fit two twelve ounce cans' contents into the vessel. With patience, the foam recedes and there becomes almost a true beer head. Obviously, there are concerns, as big white foamy and starchy heads often lead to taste and mouthfeel disappointments. The aroma is of OK piney hoppiness; but, so far, it's looks over aroma and looks have a big negative lead. The color isn't the problem. It's a rich and bright dark amber that's close to being translucent. Actually, it's a pretty good looking brew once the head recedes. Much as expected, this is a nicely West Coast hopped rendition, without much of a malt inclusion to carry it via its body, nor to give it a counterbalance so necessary for a great IPA. The ratings here may be inconsistent, but that sums up the brew. There's good color, but bad lacing. There's a nice sharp piney hop bite, but no malt balance, nor backbone. This isn't bad and the tastes of those that want hoppiness, even at the expense of a malty presence, will like this. To taste, it's a nicely dry hopped ale. To anyone that loves a traditional IPA, the lack of barley malt in the mix will spoil this.
Apr 25, 2022
West Coast IPA from Green Flash Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
94 out of
100 with
8095 ratings
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