Wrath - Belgian-Style Double IPA
Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

Wrath - Belgian-Style Double IPAWrath - Belgian-Style Double IPA
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From:
Midnight Sun Brewing Co.
 
Alaska, United States
Style:
Belgian IPA
ABV:
8.2%
Score:
93
Avg:
4.26 | pDev: 6.57%
Reviews:
25
Ratings:
27
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jul 19, 2014
Added:
Oct 16, 2007
Wants:
  28
Gots:
  0
WRATH Belgian-style Double IPA is fiercely bitter with notes of spice and earth. Its fury slowly and purposefully unfurls on the tongue, relentlessly bringing on more and more enraged flavor with each sip.

100 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by JohnGalt1:
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Reviewed by JohnGalt1 from Idaho

4.27/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
22 that I've been sitting on for a long time and been waiting to review for quite a while. Received in trade from indomitable Alaskan trader AKBelgianBeast. Poured into my New Belgium snifter.

2 finger meringue looking head... very nice lacing ... brew color is slightly hazy pale gold.

The aroma on this brew could not have diminished that much with the aging.. smells of hops in a big way. Citrus and floral with a noticeable but background of yeasty spiciness. Big across the board including other American IPA's and actually better than some of the other Belgian IPA's I've had.

Flavor has big bitterness out of the gate but with a very nice balanced pale maltiness with a little bit but needed sweetness. Citrus and herbal hoppiness dominate midpalate with a great peppery spiciness .. Fairly dry finish.. nice for sure.. I am really digging this as it moves on and warms up. Body is surprisingly on the light side... but the abundant carbonation helps the drinkablity and makes me want another sip right away... Carbonation may be a little high for my liking but that's personal.

I have a feeling Wrath would be my favorite in a triple blind with Chouffe Dobbelen and Urthel .. I love all three .. but this must have been a huge hop-bomb fresh... now it is drinking fantastic.. I wish I would not have waited.. but oh well. Mega-props to Frank. 4 down 3 to go.... I am a sinner for sure.
Jun 13, 2008
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by zestar from California

Jul 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by t0rin0 from California

Oct 29, 2012
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Reviewed by brokensail from California

3.98/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Sampled at Saturday's MS Sins tasting.

A: The pour is a hazy golden orange color with a nice white head and nice lacing.

S: The hops are quite grapefruity with only a mild pine. The Belgian yeast does contribute some of the usual fruity esters and aromas that you would expect.

T: The hops are up-front and fruity with just a bit of citrus. The pine comes through a fair amount, which might be a bit surprising. There is also a faint alcohol flavor at times.

M: Medium in body with a low to moderate carbonation. And some alcohol warmth at times.

D: A pretty nice beer, especially for a Belgian IPA which isn't really my favorite style. I wish the booze was not quite as noticeable, but such is life.
Jun 15, 2010
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Reviewed by bmanning from North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Had this at gford317's place during a tasting, then traded for a bottle thanks to grumpy.

A: Pours hazy gold with thin white head - great lacing

S: Heavy on the pineapple, also orange, pear, candy apple, coriander, wheat bread. The hops still come through strong.

T: Very complex flavors - the hops have held up amazingly well! There are huge tropical and citrus flavors combining with bready, Belgian spices from the yeast. This is by far the most flavorful Belgian IPA I've ever had, and it has a perfect balance between the west coast style hops, malts, and Belgian yeast.

M: Alcohol burn is strong and takes away from the mouthfeel

D: Very delicious and highly drinkable, yet due to the alcohol burn, points are deducted.

Overall, another great beer by Midnight Sun and one of the reasons why I keep seeking more of their beers.
Dec 13, 2009
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Reviewed by younger35 from Minnesota

4.06/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Received this brew not so long ago from Mikesgroove. This is the last of the big IPA's in the Sins series. Look forward to this one and hope the hops haven't faded too much. Drank from my Stone India Pale Ale flute.

Deadly Sin 3 of 7.

Appearance- Pours a fairly bright yellow with a beautiful one finger bright white head. A perfect cap and collar remain along with a ton of thick ring like lacing. The 3 Sins I've had so far have all been amazing looking brews.
Smell- After my first whiff this thing immediately reminded me of New Glarus's Imperial Hefweizen. A nice fruity start that leans more towards citric with a soft pineapple and peach profile. A bit of banana and pear creep in as well. I'm surprised that the hops have held up this well. A touch of yeast sneaks in as does of touch of earthy grain. Light spices (cardamom and coriander maybe?) also show up as does a kiss of alcohol.
Taste- Starts with a lightly fruity kick of citric goodness. Maybe a bit of plantain, peach and pear before a lightly fruity bubblegum flavor kicks in. Slightly spicy with some coriander and sweet orange peel dabbling with the bite of yeast. The flavors all seem a bit light for the 8+% alcohol as it does cut in a bit more than I would want.
Mouthfeel- A medium to heavy feel with a nice crisp bite of carbonation and a slightly warming feel from the alcohol.
Drinkability- I will admit that my experience with Belgium IPA's is fairly limited but regardless, this beer is really freaking good. It's nicely fruity and I'm surprised to how well the hops have held up. My only small complaint is that the alcohol is a bit much for the sort of delicate nature of the beer. Thanks much for the opportunity Mike!
Dec 05, 2009
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Reviewed by Georgiabeer from Georgia

4.67/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Had this at the amazing tasting at gford217's place. I can't remember now who provided it, but many, many thanks for sharing this. Pours golden with a thin, swirly head. Smells deeply of Belgian yeast and has huge notes of herbal and piney hops. Very nice. Amazing flavors. After all this time the hops are still explosive with beautiful herbal notes of dill and pine. Very smooth and just a bare touch of sweetness, but almost resiny from the hops in the mouthfeel. Great beer and I'm shocked and amazed at well it has held up.
Oct 02, 2009
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Reviewed by Oxymoron from Colorado

4.4/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5
One I would wrath-er like to have again! Zing. Pours a mostly cloudy light orange color with a slight yellow hue through out. A good pour leaves an ample white head that took some time to die down. Decent retention and great lacing through the tasting.

The nose is more along the lines of an IPA than a Belgian. Hops are noticeable with a grapefruit, orange and lemon zest. Some light earthy hop notes as well. The malt is balanced well if not just slightly under the hops. A nice bready aroma with noticeable biscuit and honey notes. The yeast comes out nicely and really is the only thing that hints at a Belgian characteristic. Some esters and fruity notes come out. Mostly pears, plums and figs. Very nice and complex.

The taste is a bit more in balance with hops, malt and Belgian notes. A great complexity that really is fantastic. The first taste brings a bit of sweetness but then is cut with a light but noticeable bitterness. A very nice biscuit bready flavor. Some light caramel and honey notes come out as well. Very crisp and distinct but still complex. The hops are nicely balance as the bitterness comes out but is quickly replaced by a basket of fruits from the hops and esters. Some rose peddles, lemons, citrus, grapefruit, figs and a touch of pepper in the finish. Very nice.

The body is moderate despite all that is going on. Finishes very clean and really lingers into the finish. A nice beer overall. Carbonation is light but balance. Overall as a beer this is fantastic but its not really a Belgian IPA. More of a IPA Belgian.
Jun 17, 2009
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Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
I got a finger of ecru head with decent retention from my pour. The nose had a musty, citrus scent. The color was a cloudy lemon-yellow. Mouthfeel was full with an interesting citrus bite accompanied by a yeasty mustiness. The finish was more dry than bitter with a definite desiccating quality. Extreme finish had a definite Brett. component. I was SO fortunate to score this on WHF3 during Summer 2008 and to be able to a) share it with friends, b) review it was a double-plus bonus. A huge shout-out to my CouchSurfing host, Jessie, who put me onto Midnight Sun.
Feb 28, 2009
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Reviewed by sprucetip from Alaska

4.45/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
From bottle into Midnight Sun goblet. I have been sitting on this one for some time, and it will likely be the last time I taste it.

Extremely clear, yellow/orange. Moderate, fluffy white foamy head with some retention and long lasting lacing. Constant flow of bubbles from the bottom.

Citrusy with prominent grapfruit, but other hop aromas also present. A solid malt backbone is evident in the background, but the sweetness of it is fleeting early on. Later it is more noticeable as I stick my nose deep inside nearly empty glass. Overall, a beautifully balanced blend of aromas. Something close to perfect.

Bitter, grapefruit like citursy hop profile (100 IBU) hits aggressively, then what must be a huge malty base cuts throught it with a prominent sweetness that holds its own, well through the middle. Finally the hoppy flavor and bitterness return to the forefront, and linger, well after the swallow. A faint taste of the Belgian yeast strain add one more layer to the fabric of flavors.

Good carbonation, effervescent, tingles a little, and a vague warming sensation. A slick feeling sweetness coats the inside of my mouth.

The hoppy bite contrasts sharply with the big maltiness. This brew is so flavorful and complex, with lingering flavors and fairly hefty abv, that sipping is the way to go.

I'm definitely liking this one better than I did when it was released over a year ago. Having moved from Anchorage, home of the Midnight Sun Brewery, to a small town hundreds of miles away, I miss having easy access to all of their special treats. A great beer from a great brewery. Cheers to Gabe and Ben and Courtney and the rest of the crew at MNS!
Nov 24, 2008
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Reviewed by hopdog from Pennsylvania

4.42/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
22oz bottle shared courtesy of TomDecapolis. 2007 ediiton.

Poured a medium orange / golden color with an averaged sized off white head. Aromas of tropical fruits, fruity, citrus, light yeast, and lemony. Tastes of tropical fruitiness, citrus, and lightly earthy. Nice bitter finish with a lighter sweet malt balance.

Notes from 11/29/07
Nov 09, 2008
Photo of gford217
Reviewed by gford217 from Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This is #4 on my 7 Deadly Sins list and, of course, big thanks to NoonanDBarbarian for the opportunity. Poured into a tulip.

This one opened with a nice carbonation pop and poured a clear golden amber with tons of carbonation coming up from the bottom of the glass. The head is big and recedes to a solid cap leaving sheets of lacing along the side.

The aroma had a massive floral hop character with citrus compliments - pine, grass with some grapefruit on top. There is an earthy element to the smell as well with some fruity sweetness and Belgian spiciness in the background, which is the only thing that keeps this from smelling like a big America DIPA.

The taste mirrors the aroma with a big citrus and floral hop kick up front. Then comes the hints of Belgian yeast, bananas and spices. There is also a bit of candied sugar underlying the taste throughout before the hops come back strong in the finish with a serious resin hop bitterness.

The mouthfeel is super creamy for an IPA but with lots of sticky resin on the palate.

This is one helluva Belgian IPA and I would rate it close to the best I've had. I'm surprised the hop profile has held up so well almost a year out. Thanks again to Brian for sharing the Alaskan wealth!
Oct 14, 2008
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Reviewed by joe1510 from Illinois

4.2/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
22oz Bomber

My neighbor Dave brought me this bottle from the brewery on a recent trip of his throughout Alaska, thanks again Dave! Wrath Belgian-Style Double IPA fills my glass a tangerine orange with good clarity. When backlit, the body glows pale orange with streams of carbonation, from points all over the glass, rush to the surface. The silky white head grew to three fingers without a problem and quickly became craggy and rocky. The head ended up settling to one finger and left incredibly dense Belgian-esque mountainous sheets down the glass. This beer really has a great look to it and I can't wait to dive in.

With the bottle mentioning this beers sport 100 IBUs I wasn't sure if I would be able to pull any of the Belgian qualities out. To my surprise the nose is loaded with Belgian yeastiness and more then enough spicy Noble hops. Bubblegum, white pepper, and a mild touch of clove are thrown off thanks to the yeast used and pale cake like malts lay down the spicy Belgian base but there's no doubt that hops steal the show. Tangerine and lightly sugared grapefruit bring along some citric qualities that fade rather quickly and let the spicy, grassy and very herbal noble hoppiness play the major role. Mild alcohol wafts through the air. The smell on this beer makes my mouth water.

The flavor doesn't quite live up to the aroma. Bubblegum, clove, and mild banana sweetness are the first things that jump out. The American hops show up first with the tangerine and grapefruit, both of which are mild but the main hop component is spicy and herbal. The cake like malt qualities come across mid palate and fade until the finish. Grassy, peppery, and highly herbal hops combine with the yeast spiciness on the finish and linger afterwards. This is a delicious beer.

For a beer with such a high abv the body is nicely light and airy like you find in a lot of Belgian beers. Wrath is light on the tongue with a lightly prickly carbonation that keeps things moving. The spiciness combined with the heavy handed use of hops leaves behind a lingering bitterness that grows as the bottle empties. The spiciness really sticks around on the cheeks while the bitterness punishes the tongue.

This bottle disappeared pretty quickly but the hop profile and spiciness will put a hurting on your taste buds over time. I could easily drink more then a bomber in a sitting but I'd be afraid of losing too much of the Belgian character after all the abuse from the hops.

I pick up all the Belgian IPAs I can find, which isn't too many, and didn't really expect to see a lot of Belgian character in this beer with 100 IBUs but it delivered. Midnight Sun makes some great beer and this is another one to add to that list. Somehow the huge hop presence doesn't overtake all the Belgian yeast characters. Thanks again for the bomber Dave!
Aug 25, 2008
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Reviewed by mikesgroove from South Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Again big thanks to Frank for my last of the seven deadly sins. This one had been cellared for the better part of a year and I opened it up last night to finish off the series. Served right out of the fridge and poured into an Oversized wine glass. Consumed on 07/21/2008.

Wonderful to reach the conclusion of this big ass series of beers. I saved Wrath for last as it was my favorite style and I wanted to save it. The pour was very nice with a very hazy, bright golden amber color coming forward immediately. Rich looking with a nice amount of carbonation coming up from the surface. A big billowing white head of about three inches in height came up and only settled down gradually, leaving behind copious amounts of side glass lace and a nice puff of white on top.

The aroma started out as your classic west coast hop bomb. Rich citric hops dominating the nose on this one. Not as heavy and resin soaked as others, and not really too much on the sweet side of things, this one was more of a lighter double IPA, but still very good. Lots of notes of light Belgian yeast as it warms. Hints of some fruit notes, light peach and apple maybe. Nice touches of grain mixed in, providing me with some depth. Really solid flavor here. Light with a decidly pungent hop kick throughout. Really nice balance to it. Started off quite light and hoppy with a nice bit of lemon and orange flavor. This rolled n through the tongue and then reach a nice light grain flavor in the middle which helped to balance it nicely. Really tight finish here, quick, with a champagne like dryness and a long lingering flavor of orange peel on the tongue. Wonderful feel here, with a light body and ample carbonation throughout. Really very easy to session this one, even though it was over 8% as it was hardly noticeable at all.

Overall I thought this was excellent. One of the lighter of the series, but by no means a lightweight of a beer. I would have no issue with trying this one again any day, in fact I would look forward to it. This was a damn fine beer that is not to be overlooked!

Thanks again for the series Frank, it has been a fun week trying these. Would love to have some more of them as most will do quite well for a while still.
Jul 23, 2008
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Reviewed by orbitalr0x from Illinois

4.23/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz bomber shared by my buddy Matt. Pours a hazy orange with hop particulate floating throughout. A big creamy, rocky two finger meringue head sits atop the brew. Aromas smack of deep citric and grapefruit hops along with pine and herbal weedy notes as well. Crisp pilsner malt backbone with a touch of caramel and a spicy tone as well.

First sip brings a pilsner malt upfront with a touch of caramel sweetness that quickly flows into big, banging hop flavors of citrus, grapefruit and pine. Lots of resin in here with a bold bitterness. As it flows down I get a nice earthy spiciness from the Belgian yeast. This one begins sweet and then the bitterness comes in and batters everything down. Damn tasty brew.

Mouthfeel is smooth and creamy with a steady carbonation. A good drinking Imperial IPA. I like the twist on this with the Belgian yeast used as well. I can't believe this was brewed back in October last year and the hops are still kicking so much ass. Good stuff and lucky to have sampled it.
Jun 26, 2008
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Reviewed by Kegatron from Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Sampled 5/2/08. Shared the entire 7 beer series with fellow BAs Deuane & SierraGS. It was quite a night! Special thanks to AKBelgianBeast for trading me the complete set of these to try.

22 oz bomber into a snifter.

Pours a clear gold with a finger of foamy brite-white head that has a fantastic looking retention and leaves sweet looking sticky lacing behind. The aroma is ahhh, a big ole' West Coast nose of piney hops, big grapefruit and apricot, and an element of tingling Belgian style spiciness that works well with the other accents.

The taste is a biting (but not overpowering) sense of resinous bitterness, mixed with big juicy grapefruit notes and balanced out by a earthy feeling malt backbone. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a fairly easy feel considering its alcohol content.

Despite there being about 6 months on this bottle, this still seemed very fresh and crisp to me. A West Coast style hop bomb with a Belgian twist, I could have drank this all night. A fine way to cap off our evening of sinning with Midnight Sun.
Jun 04, 2008
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Reviewed by Murchmac from California

4.12/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to the Beast for being able to try the wrath of khan.

Lots of carbonation to this caramel highlighted with golden honey outsides. If this beer were a rock stars hair, it would be Peter Cetera, circa 1988.

Fresh smell of hops hits you when the cap pops off. The subdued sweet malts take over with the lingering crisp piney hops.

This beer has a fricking kick to it. Is this a belgian influenced style? My lord it tastes like a straight up DIPA. Oh yeah, the light body gives it away. This is very similar to a lot of Socal DIPA's like Hop juice and Hop 15.

Lingering sweet resiny aftertaste. Love this beer.

This beer is much better than any Star Trek movie.
May 18, 2008
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Reviewed by Deuane from Pennsylvania

4.59/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I had a small dose at the Stone Soup gathering earlier this year so I was very much looking forward to revisiting this one!

A-Golden yellow with a thin white head leaving nice lace.

S-Lovely floral, citrusy aroma that I could sniff all day long! Oh, for a car air freshener with this scent!

T-Same bite as the Envy but with a bit more class! Really solid. A sneaky green apple aftertaste shows itself after multiple sips.

M-Medium body with a super sharp crispness. Very lively carbonation. Delectable.

D-Mmmm...this is one hoppy beer to love! The "Belgian" aspect of this brew certianly takes a back seat to the hops. To me, this is fine...a humulus lupulus bomb to wrap your lips around! well done Midnight Sun....I'll take this Wrath any day!
May 07, 2008
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Reviewed by akorsak from Pennsylvania

4.79/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A 650 mL capped bottle courtesy of grumpy.

A: The ale is a brilliant pale, golden ale, more blonde ale than tripel. A thick foamy head, voluminous on pour, laces in wide patches all around the glass.

S: The nose is stunning. Fresh citrus hops, concentrated to the extreme, create a fruity nose full of apricot and grapefruit with touches of herbal grass. The hops are paired against Belgian spices, further augmenting the depth. The aroma has set the bar for all Belgian IPAs (and it would do a damn fine job against American IPAs).

T: The sip is as rich and deep as the nose. A thick hop profile pulls no punches, delivering an overpowering citrus flavor. Grapefruit and herbal flavors swirl over the tongue. A dirty, earthy bitterness finishes the end of a sip, leaving a long bitterness. Peppery coriander flavors mesh with the hops and up the taste profile significantly. The overall sweetness is restrained by a dry Belgian yeast strain that adds a deeper, dry fruit element. Delicious, no other words do this beer justice.

M: Dry and intensely bitter, the hops won't soon be forgotten. This sets the gold standard for all Belgian IPAs.

D: Even at 8.2%, I'd gladly sit and drink it all day long. I may be hurting tomorrow but right now my tastebuds are pleasantly overwhelmed by this hoppy tripel. Kudos to MSBC, this is a gem.
Apr 06, 2008
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Reviewed by TheBlackMallard from Minnesota

4.17/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
My first of the 7 Deakly Sins that I was lucky enough to get. Thanks AKBelgianBeast!

Pours golden yellow with a giant rocky head which leaves lacing all over the place.

Smell: Grass, lemons, herbal and floral hops. Smells similar to Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel.

Taste: Herbal, Spicy, Pine, with a slight sweetness that gives way to a kick in the pants bitterness. Crisp, dry, and refreshing.

Very well done. I'd trade in quite a few Michigan Breweries for Midnight Sun. I hope I can get my hands on the Planet Series.
Apr 05, 2008
Wrath - Belgian-Style Double IPA from Midnight Sun Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 93 out of 100 with 27 ratings