Keene Idea
Alpine Beer Company

Keene IdeaKeene Idea
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Alpine Beer Company
 
California, United States
Style:
Imperial IPA
Ranked #8
ABV:
8.88%
Score:
100
Ranked #99
Avg:
4.56 | pDev: 8.33%
Reviews:
77
Ratings:
541
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 24, 2023
Added:
Aug 11, 2012
Wants:
  569
Gots:
  32
Originally brewed for the Toronado 25th, it is still one of the brewery's most popular beers.

Keene Idea is very different from Nelson. No rye, different grain bill, Citra and Rakau hops.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by joshwith:
Photo of joshwith
Rated by joshwith from Colorado

5/5  rDev +9.6%

Jul 08, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.01 by bowmanad3

Feb 24, 2023
 
Rated: 4.63 by tamelotte from California

Dec 08, 2022
Photo of cdinardo21
Reviewed by cdinardo21 from Pennsylvania

4.37/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Old school piney crisp westie. Just a style that isn't brewed enough these days, and it's a real shame. Kick you in the teeth bitter - pours a delicious golden amber, and perfectly carbed. Very sippable. Not sure it lives up to the god-like status some hold it in, but it's a very solid west coast IPA.
Nov 01, 2022
 
Rated: 4.71 by FrankCastle from California

Jul 02, 2022
 
Rated: 4 by trevorpost from Pennsylvania

Jun 12, 2022
Photo of TheWaySheGoes
Reviewed by TheWaySheGoes from Illinois

4.44/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Not sure why people feel the need to write reviews along the lines of "it's an old style not fit for today's trends".......it was brewed to be a piney, bitter, and malty beer and it's damn well crafted. If you were into trendy scotch drinks and were handed a glass of Louis XIII Cognac, would you poo-poo it for being different? Old school west coast IPA's exist for a reason, and they have certain qualities that make them different from the trendier new england style. This beer is a fantastic brew, with pine and malt flavors bursting onto the scene in a way you just don't find with most beers made elsewhere. When you take a sip, you just know it is a well crafted, and balanced brew.
May 23, 2022
Photo of shigg85
Reviewed by shigg85 from Japan

3.75/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
No. No, no, no. I can't understand how everyone takes this well-balanced yet boring double IPA and elevates it to a godly status. It's fine, but the flavors, scent, and mouthfeel stop there. As a California born dude, I above all want to champion our beers. This is fine, but it's just not the champ.
Mar 07, 2022
 
Rated: 4.25 by gopens44 from Virginia

Mar 05, 2022
Photo of AzfromOz
Reviewed by AzfromOz from Australia

4.28/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Many reviews talk about the perfect balance between malt and hops displayed by this beer. They're not wrong. This beer has seen the tightrope strung across the canyon of drinkability and confidently trod the cord, using malt and hops as its balance beam while declining to use any of the 2020s' juiciness for a safety net.

Make no mistake, this is a bitter beer. It demands an experienced drinker's palate, but rewards the garnered experience of a craft beer drinker with a beer that displays subtle citrus notes, a strong yet not overbearing malt backbone and a hoppy, piney, resinous kick that unashamedly proclaims its double IPA genes.

In reality, this is an anachronism in 2022. It recalls the IBU wars of 15 years ago, but remains relevant because, at the end of the day, it's a damn good beer

Cheers!
Mar 05, 2022
Photo of MutuelsMark
Reviewed by MutuelsMark from Kentucky

4.78/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Pours golden in color with a nice head that leaves a beautiful lacing. The nose is slightly sweet, almost honey like hint but a bitterness added. Taste is bitter that quickly goes away with a dry finish. Superb beer.
Jan 20, 2022
 
Rated: 4.17 by not2quick from Missouri

Jan 19, 2022
 
Rated: 4.26 by 22Blue from Kansas

Dec 28, 2021
 
Rated: 4.48 by crobinso from Colorado

Dec 27, 2021
 
Rated: 4.41 by Lobina from Arizona

Dec 24, 2021
Photo of mactrail
Reviewed by mactrail from Washington

4.02/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nearly clear amber brew with plenty of foam in the fat wheat beer glass. Lush with creamy carbonation. Malty and medium sweet. Aromatic with citrus and papaya. Taste is candied bitter orange, or marmalade. Very sippable and well made.

Hops are listed at Citra, Southern Cross, Nelson, and Pacific Jade. This DIPA bears the extra alcohol and malt well. A little of a hop overdose as you might expect. I have not had an Alpine beer in years so was happy to try one I had not seen. Brewed in San Diego. From the 16 oz can dated 10/25/21.
Dec 17, 2021
 
Rated: 4.5 by paulish from New York

Dec 17, 2021
 
Rated: 4.5 by JamesLeung from Florida

Dec 11, 2021
 
Rated: 4.32 by SierraFlight from Virginia

Dec 10, 2021
 
Rated: 4.29 by gelasin from California

Dec 07, 2021
Keene Idea from Alpine Beer Company
Beer rating: 100 out of 100 with 541 ratings