Piled High Imperial Fresh Hop Ale
Bale Breaker Brewing Company

Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Bale Breaker Brewing Company
 
Washington, United States
Style:
Imperial IPA
Ranked #652
ABV:
8.2%
Score:
92
Ranked #4,776
Avg:
4.22 | pDev: 10.43%
Reviews:
7
Ratings:
28
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 04, 2023
Added:
Oct 09, 2013
Wants:
  4
Gots:
  2
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by HoppySeb:
Photo of HoppySeb
Rated by HoppySeb from Washington

4.75/5  rDev +12.6%

Nov 12, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of stevoj
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

3.88/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Taster at Growler Guys. Bright yellow pour, soft soapy head. Hoppy AF , but in a good way. Aroma and taste come in dank, bitter, resiny, sticky. Lovely.
Feb 04, 2023
 
Rated: 3.93 by VashonGuy from Washington

Oct 07, 2022
 
Rated: 4.09 by mdaschaf from Indiana

Jul 13, 2022
Photo of StonedTrippin
Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
this is so good, another banger from bale breaker on the hoppy front, seems like they always hit in these spaces. this is clean to me, well fermented but without really any fermentation character, if that makes sense, dry for a strong one, and its all out of the way of the hops, heck its balanced but even the grain is super light as these go, and while its obviously on the edge of too much on the one hand, its also mighty drinkable for what it is on the other, a showcase of a place and an ingredient that few others can offer, and this is where bale breaker really shines to me. grassy and spicy at the same time, drippy wet its so fresh but with noble elements to me too, wish i knew what the hops were, then i get big canned pineapple mosaic type qualities, then honey and resin and sticky weedy stuff, it has a little bit of everything, even gin and pine, quite complex on the hop front, so fresh its brand new. the alcohol is invisible, the grain is one dimensional, simple, dry, and clean, and the body is even light, the space for the hops is expansive not just for flavor but also for mouthfeel, which maybe is what has me stoked the most about this. really really good, unique, flavorful, and absurdly drinkable for a double. look out! bale breaker keeps on destroying the hoppy stuff, some of the best wet hop beer of the season even though we are getting late now, one of the best breweries in the region...
Dec 02, 2021
 
Rated: 3.99 by DOCRW from Kentucky

Nov 28, 2021
 
Rated: 3.81 by Sound_Explorer from Washington

Oct 31, 2021
Photo of RJLarse
Rated by RJLarse from Washington

4/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at Flying Goat. A nice IIPA.
Dec 09, 2019
 
Rated: 4.5 by NickThePyro from Washington

Oct 09, 2018
 
Rated: 3.76 by HopBroker from Washington

Nov 15, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by DamienI from Washington

Oct 16, 2016
Photo of John_M
Reviewed by John_M from Washington

3.53/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
What a difference a year can make I guess. On tap at the Red Hot.

The beer pours a reddish amber color with good head retention and lacing. Alas, this was to be as good as things would get. On the nose, I get some light graham cracker, light dry citrus, a hint of watermelon, and noticeable sweet malt. The flavor profile was more of the same, but with some decent bitternes in the finish. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, and the finish is fairly clean and bitter. Alcohol is fairly well integrated into the flavor profile. According to the beer board at the RH, abv. this year is 7.2%.

Mehhhh sums up my feeling about this beer pretty closely. While this isn't bad, it's hardly anything extraordinary. One and done with this one.
Oct 15, 2016
 
Rated: 3.93 by ucsbmullet from Colorado

Nov 15, 2015
 
Rated: 4.42 by LouZ from Washington

Nov 14, 2015
Photo of mr-jj
Reviewed by mr-jj from Washington

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
On tap at Bale Breaker.

Like all Bale Breaker beers, it really captures the smell of hops. These guys come from a hop farming family, and it shows. Reminds me of Top Cutter, but a little greener.
Oct 25, 2015
Photo of starclassic21
Reviewed by starclassic21 from Washington

4.44/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Had this beer last night at their Fresh Hops event at Pint Defiance, Tacoma, WA.

Very similar to Topcutter but with more punch and fresh hop flavor. Delicious floral notes that the brewery is becoming known for. This beer just screams hop flavor, without too much bitterness. Can hardly notice the 8.2% alcohol.

Slight sweetness on the back end to compliment the fresh hop flavor. Herbaceous, floral, and slightly sweet (in a good way. Not a malty/bready way). Will definitely look for this beer again. Wish I could've got more of it before it sold out!

95/100
Oct 09, 2015
Photo of snaotheus
Reviewed by snaotheus from Washington

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2015-10-02
Pint in a nonic at Bale Breaker, sitting outside, gazing at the few unharvested hop vines they left outside their tasting area.

It reminds me a lot of Topcutter, actually -- just amped up and with heavy focus on fresh hops. Resinous, aromatic, and delicious.

---
2021-09-24
Bought a crowler of it at the Ballard taproom today and enjoying it in a tulip. Clear golden color, medium sized head that fades without much lacing. Taste is slightly boozy, very strong piney bitter finish, moderate honeysuckle, and clear green fresh hoppy flavors. Smooth, crisp, clean mouthfeel. Very nice beer.
Oct 04, 2015
 
Rated: 4.19 by McBAINx from Washington

Oct 04, 2015
Photo of mabermud
Reviewed by mabermud from Washington

4.37/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Looks scrumptious. Smells fresh, hoppy, juicy, and sweet. Taste resembles the aroma, except better. The feel fits. Overall - Good stuff.

If I see this around, I'll definitely have it again.
Nov 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4.32 by Hawgfuel from Washington

Oct 26, 2014
Piled High Imperial Fresh Hop Ale from Bale Breaker Brewing Company
Beer rating: 92 out of 100 with 28 ratings