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Creeper
Columbus Brewing Company
- From:
- Columbus Brewing Company
- Ohio, United States
- Style:
- Imperial IPA
Ranked #54 - ABV:
- 10%
- Score:
- 97
Ranked #584 - Avg:
- 4.39 | pDev: 7.29%
- Reviews:
- 93
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 14, 2024
- Added:
- Feb 06, 2010
- Wants:
- 73
- Gots:
- 68
"Triple IPA"
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Ryan011235:
Reviewed by Ryan011235 from Ohio
4.27/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.27/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap, in a chalice at the brewpub on 2/4/10
At a glance, this seems rather light in color for a barleywine. Moderately hazy, it is apricot-hued with pale golden highlights a la pineapple juice around the bottom of the glass. I had two glasses; the first poured essentially no head with only a minute ring of foam clinging to the inside perimeter of the glass. The second poured a thin layer of bubbly foam. This time around retention was thin but mostly consistent & lacing was rather good.
Not surprisingly, the nose is very hop-forward. Immediately noticeable are potent citrus aromas which definitely showcase their acidity. I'm picking out grapefruit, lemon zest, orange peel & maybe a hint or two of pineapple. The hop profile comes across as mostly tropical & slightly floral with a tendency toward juiciness. There's a subtle spiciness in there that makes me think white pepper or some such. This doesn't seem particularly malty so far; just a few notes of medium-light toasted sugars - namely a spot of caramel. Even at 10.5% abv (what the barkeep told me), the alcohol isn't very appreciable in the nose.
At first taste the whole "barleywine" thing becomes apparent. Creeper offers a lot of dry bitterness upfront courtesy of grapefruit pith & a healthy dose of pine. There is some lemon zest & orange peel too, though the high acidity found in the nose is a bit restrained here. Just a bit, though; no doubt this is a hoppy barleywine - it doesn't hide its intentions. Catering to style there is a sturdy malt profile that, while on the lighter spectrum, is still appropriate. There are plenty of toasted malts that at times give a faint notion of near-burnt bread, which is fine by me. I get the impression of caramelized sugars - sweet, but not cloyingly so. It has a quality that calls to mind sugar cookies. All of which is accentuated by a pervasive spiciness.
Creeper is medium-full bodied that has a decent amount of density & chewiness. Moderate carbonation adds a touch of prickliness though the beer generally moves slowly & with purpose. Alcohol is apparent immediately, providing a notable warming sensation. However, this becomes less pronounced as the beer warms & with acclimation. Lingering are a few hints of bitterness & toasted malt.
I must admit this seems an interesting take on the style. I get the impression that at times Creeper wants to be a DIPA. If I recall correctly, this has many similarities to their Bodhi DIPA from last year. In any case, the purpose of the Hop Odyssey is "an exploration of the relationship between malt & hops" while "celebrating" the latter (quotations from 2010 Hop Odyssey promotional material). To this end, Columbus Brewing Co. has succeeded indeed. This is a very tasty beer, albeit one that should probably be sipped. Recommended.
Feb 07, 2010At a glance, this seems rather light in color for a barleywine. Moderately hazy, it is apricot-hued with pale golden highlights a la pineapple juice around the bottom of the glass. I had two glasses; the first poured essentially no head with only a minute ring of foam clinging to the inside perimeter of the glass. The second poured a thin layer of bubbly foam. This time around retention was thin but mostly consistent & lacing was rather good.
Not surprisingly, the nose is very hop-forward. Immediately noticeable are potent citrus aromas which definitely showcase their acidity. I'm picking out grapefruit, lemon zest, orange peel & maybe a hint or two of pineapple. The hop profile comes across as mostly tropical & slightly floral with a tendency toward juiciness. There's a subtle spiciness in there that makes me think white pepper or some such. This doesn't seem particularly malty so far; just a few notes of medium-light toasted sugars - namely a spot of caramel. Even at 10.5% abv (what the barkeep told me), the alcohol isn't very appreciable in the nose.
At first taste the whole "barleywine" thing becomes apparent. Creeper offers a lot of dry bitterness upfront courtesy of grapefruit pith & a healthy dose of pine. There is some lemon zest & orange peel too, though the high acidity found in the nose is a bit restrained here. Just a bit, though; no doubt this is a hoppy barleywine - it doesn't hide its intentions. Catering to style there is a sturdy malt profile that, while on the lighter spectrum, is still appropriate. There are plenty of toasted malts that at times give a faint notion of near-burnt bread, which is fine by me. I get the impression of caramelized sugars - sweet, but not cloyingly so. It has a quality that calls to mind sugar cookies. All of which is accentuated by a pervasive spiciness.
Creeper is medium-full bodied that has a decent amount of density & chewiness. Moderate carbonation adds a touch of prickliness though the beer generally moves slowly & with purpose. Alcohol is apparent immediately, providing a notable warming sensation. However, this becomes less pronounced as the beer warms & with acclimation. Lingering are a few hints of bitterness & toasted malt.
I must admit this seems an interesting take on the style. I get the impression that at times Creeper wants to be a DIPA. If I recall correctly, this has many similarities to their Bodhi DIPA from last year. In any case, the purpose of the Hop Odyssey is "an exploration of the relationship between malt & hops" while "celebrating" the latter (quotations from 2010 Hop Odyssey promotional material). To this end, Columbus Brewing Co. has succeeded indeed. This is a very tasty beer, albeit one that should probably be sipped. Recommended.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by VABA from Virginia
4.25/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours an amber color with a nice head and lacing
Aroma has malt and hop hints
Taste has a malt and hop flavor
MA medium bodied well carbonated beer
A good IIPA
Dec 01, 2023Aroma has malt and hop hints
Taste has a malt and hop flavor
MA medium bodied well carbonated beer
A good IIPA
Reviewed by barnzy78 from Illinois
4.48/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
4.48/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
12oz can
date stamped 11/14/22
L: hazy apricot colored ale; tall & foamy ivory colored head holds great retention
S: earthy pine, pithy citrus, caramelized grain, pineapple
T: hop forward, bold & bitter; pithy & zesty grapefruit, marijuana, earthy pine, pineapple, mango, light caramel, honey, toasted grain
F: full body, moderate carbonation fills the palate even fuller; alcohol is modestly boozy; dry & bitter finish with mango and pine lingering
O: a palate punisher with some great hop varieties that work very well together!
Jul 28, 2023date stamped 11/14/22
L: hazy apricot colored ale; tall & foamy ivory colored head holds great retention
S: earthy pine, pithy citrus, caramelized grain, pineapple
T: hop forward, bold & bitter; pithy & zesty grapefruit, marijuana, earthy pine, pineapple, mango, light caramel, honey, toasted grain
F: full body, moderate carbonation fills the palate even fuller; alcohol is modestly boozy; dry & bitter finish with mango and pine lingering
O: a palate punisher with some great hop varieties that work very well together!
Reviewed by zeff80 from Missouri
4.33/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.33/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
12oz can. Poured out a clear golden amber color with a good-sized, khaki-colored head of foam. It left sticky rings of lace on the glass. It smelled of grapefruit, orange, pineapple, resin and toasted caramel. Bold, piney bitterness with toasted caramel and a punch of tropical fruit sweetness.
Jun 30, 2022Reviewed by Ozzylizard from Pennsylvania
3.67/5 rDev -16.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.67/5 rDev -16.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Creeper from Columbus Brewing. Received from @ovaltine in a NBS BIF #15 ninja strike. Stored at 40 degrees after receiving. Reviewed 01/06/22. Note that I use DD/MM/YY protocol.
Bottom of can stamped “4/13/22”. Served at 43.3 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. Final temperature 54.8 degrees.
Appearance – 3.75
First pour – Straw (SRM 3), clear.
Body – Pale gold (SRM 4), hazy. When rear-lite, same, and clear.
Head – Large (Maximum 6.6 cm, aggressive center pour), light floral white, low-density froth, average retention, diminishing to a one cm crown and cap, with irregular three-dimensional narrow bands of lacing and multifarious tiny foam islands remaining as the head retracts.
Lacing – Very good! Wide, three-dimensional band of tiny to medium bubbles. See also above.
Aroma – 3.5 – Weak hops. No yeast, no malt.
Flavor – 3.75 – Begins mildly bitter and dank with a hint of malt. No yeast. Gives an impression of being slightly oily. No ethanol (10 % ABV as marked on label) taste or aroma. Mild gastric warming eventually occurs. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl.
Palate – 3.5 – Medium, watery, soft carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 3.75 A nice impy IPA from Columbus. Thanks Mike!
Jun 01, 2022Bottom of can stamped “4/13/22”. Served at 43.3 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. Final temperature 54.8 degrees.
Appearance – 3.75
First pour – Straw (SRM 3), clear.
Body – Pale gold (SRM 4), hazy. When rear-lite, same, and clear.
Head – Large (Maximum 6.6 cm, aggressive center pour), light floral white, low-density froth, average retention, diminishing to a one cm crown and cap, with irregular three-dimensional narrow bands of lacing and multifarious tiny foam islands remaining as the head retracts.
Lacing – Very good! Wide, three-dimensional band of tiny to medium bubbles. See also above.
Aroma – 3.5 – Weak hops. No yeast, no malt.
Flavor – 3.75 – Begins mildly bitter and dank with a hint of malt. No yeast. Gives an impression of being slightly oily. No ethanol (10 % ABV as marked on label) taste or aroma. Mild gastric warming eventually occurs. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl.
Palate – 3.5 – Medium, watery, soft carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 3.75 A nice impy IPA from Columbus. Thanks Mike!
Reviewed by jonphisher from New Jersey
4.15/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.15/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Another crystal clear beautiful beer from Columbus, dense white head slowly recedes with substantial lacing.
Nose is floral combined with citrus rind; grainy sweetness.
Resiny tangerine like taste with some nice rind like qualities. Malt presence is noticeable, a touch of grainy sweetness.
This is a big beer, but it drinks very smooth. The hint of big beer comes in a warming sensation in the throat. Such a pleasant carbonation; nice big bitter finish, dry and clean. A 10% beer this drinkable is dangerous.
May 13, 2022Nose is floral combined with citrus rind; grainy sweetness.
Resiny tangerine like taste with some nice rind like qualities. Malt presence is noticeable, a touch of grainy sweetness.
This is a big beer, but it drinks very smooth. The hint of big beer comes in a warming sensation in the throat. Such a pleasant carbonation; nice big bitter finish, dry and clean. A 10% beer this drinkable is dangerous.
Reviewed by snaotheus from Washington
4.03/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.03/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
2022-05-08
12oz can served in a tulip. No date on the can. Received from @ovaltine in NBS BIF #14 chaos. I had Columbus' Bodhi and IPA earlier.
Pours clear brassy gold with a maybe one-and-a-half finger head that collapses into a thick blanket with a lot of lacing. Smell is screaming resin. Kind of one-note, but very nice. I might get a bit of the booze, which would make sense at 10% abv.
Taste is boozy, grainy/honey sweetness, almost a tangerine citrus sweetness. Lots of grapefruit zest and pine resin.
Mouthfeel is medium, smooth, maybe leaning a bit in the direction of heavy. This is a very good beer.
May 09, 202212oz can served in a tulip. No date on the can. Received from @ovaltine in NBS BIF #14 chaos. I had Columbus' Bodhi and IPA earlier.
Pours clear brassy gold with a maybe one-and-a-half finger head that collapses into a thick blanket with a lot of lacing. Smell is screaming resin. Kind of one-note, but very nice. I might get a bit of the booze, which would make sense at 10% abv.
Taste is boozy, grainy/honey sweetness, almost a tangerine citrus sweetness. Lots of grapefruit zest and pine resin.
Mouthfeel is medium, smooth, maybe leaning a bit in the direction of heavy. This is a very good beer.
Reviewed by ovaltine from Indiana
4.5/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I’ve gotta admit, I hate this beer. I mean, first off, lookit how ugly it is? All clear and stuff with a big head that frankly sticks around WAAAAAY too long - and actually accentuates the golden color - it’s so clear I can see Joy flipping me off through the glass!!! C’mon, who wants to see that? If this was a hazy, I’d be completely in a state of Bolivian.
And it smells, too - like all citrusy and piney and what the old folks call “dank” (I read lots of books about old people beer history), and all I can think is, “this ol’ beer is gonna be really bitter.”
And (of course) I’m right!!! It’s really bitter, with that resiny pine closing after that “dank” citrus flavor - and there’s even some malt, for corn’s sake. I want juicy fruit, doggone it, not some dank, bitter balanced beer.
And what’s with this dry mouthfeel??? I DON’T WANT TO DRINK THIS, BUT IT KEEPS PULLING ME BACK IN!!!!! And it’s sneaky, too - it completely hides the 10% ABV. THIS IS A BEER THAT IS UP TO SKULLDUGGERY!!!
I honestly feel like the Zombie Apocalypse is upon us if this is the kinda beer that’s considered “good beer,” so I’m willing to sacrifice myself for all of humanity and suggest that anyone that has this beer to send me this beer so I can dispose of it.
It’s the least I can do.
May 08, 2022And it smells, too - like all citrusy and piney and what the old folks call “dank” (I read lots of books about old people beer history), and all I can think is, “this ol’ beer is gonna be really bitter.”
And (of course) I’m right!!! It’s really bitter, with that resiny pine closing after that “dank” citrus flavor - and there’s even some malt, for corn’s sake. I want juicy fruit, doggone it, not some dank, bitter balanced beer.
And what’s with this dry mouthfeel??? I DON’T WANT TO DRINK THIS, BUT IT KEEPS PULLING ME BACK IN!!!!! And it’s sneaky, too - it completely hides the 10% ABV. THIS IS A BEER THAT IS UP TO SKULLDUGGERY!!!
I honestly feel like the Zombie Apocalypse is upon us if this is the kinda beer that’s considered “good beer,” so I’m willing to sacrifice myself for all of humanity and suggest that anyone that has this beer to send me this beer so I can dispose of it.
It’s the least I can do.
Reviewed by KT3418 from Colorado
3.81/5 rDev -13.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.81/5 rDev -13.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
I might need more offerings of this one. It's definitely really good but...boring. Not a lot standing out to me other than any astringent tastes from the booziness are gone which is great but kinda bare minimum. I gotta have this again
Feb 10, 2022Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina
4.25/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: Arrives a slightly hazy light amber color, the head is perched with two fingers, clumps of lacing linger
Smell: Pine and citrus aromatics with hints of tropical fruit
Taste: Hints of pineapple forward along with a light caramel malt backbone; through the middle, the citrus and pine take over bringing pink grapefruit and orange zest tones; rather bitter, after the swallow, with the piney element emerging
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation
Overall: Bolder and boozier than Bodhi, this brings more of the classic IPA bitterness to the fray
Oct 30, 2021Smell: Pine and citrus aromatics with hints of tropical fruit
Taste: Hints of pineapple forward along with a light caramel malt backbone; through the middle, the citrus and pine take over bringing pink grapefruit and orange zest tones; rather bitter, after the swallow, with the piney element emerging
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation
Overall: Bolder and boozier than Bodhi, this brings more of the classic IPA bitterness to the fray
Rated by MIkeHavener
4.66/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
4.66/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
This is a really nice Imperial. Not overly hoppy, but very smooth. Great mouth feel and great taste from beginning to end.
Oct 01, 2021
Creeper from Columbus Brewing Company
Beer rating:
97 out of
100 with
451 ratings
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