Mongo
Port Brewing

elNopalero from California

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Pours a copper hue with thin foaming. Old school hop aroma, all sorts of piney and pithy notes at play. Bracing bitterness, drying finish. It’s almost abrasive, in comparison to its pillowy, fluffy, tropical fruit contemporaries. I kinda loved it.

Jun 02, 2021

Bouleboubier from New Jersey

4.24/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

(12 oz tall, fat flute pour at Pinocchio's two days ago; listed as 8% abv... review copied from notes, additions in parenthesis)

Clear, orange-amber (liquid); sticky, cottony foam, constant lace rings (top to bottom)... (nose) Pine, cannabis, spicy orange... (palate) Pine, floral extract, spice zip, orange peel, peppery medicinal aftertaste with citrus perfume essence; Turkish Delight?... (texture) lightly oily, lightly singeing, plush, resinous; potent ethanol fire, but not bottom heavy (viscous, syrupy)... (overall impression) orange-grapefruit-cannabis, herbal radicchio-like near-bracing bitterness... (follow-up notes from right now) smooth and seductive, and it put me at ease after a Saison Dupont and cheesy bread food stuff; this was a big seller at a beer bar at which I previously worked 2013-14; sold out regularly; might be my first time having it since then, and I did crave another glass, but had to jet (on bike); I'll surely get another draft next meeting (1762)

May 13, 2021

Sigmund from Norway

3.98/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Shared bottle at local tasting. Golden colour, large white head. Strong aroma of resinous American hops, also hints of orange marmalade. The flavour is distinctly hoppy throughout, with a piney and grapefruity bitterness, but is still not too extreme.

May 10, 2021

dbl_delta from Pennsylvania

4.12/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Undated can into pint glass. Pours a hazy gold (SRM about 5-6) with a fairly huge off-white head. Superb lacing. Initial impression is spicy pepper, lemon, lime, and grapefruit with some earthiness thrown in for good measure. Mouthfeel is medium, as is carbonation. Finish is slightly dry and a little bitter. Overall, a pretty good West Coast DIPA!

Jan 06, 2021

JamFuel from Sweden

4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a semi clear amber with fine head.

Smell is citrusy with notes of pine, orange marmalade and apricot.

Taste is fruity and balanced, with notes of citrus, pine, a bit of resin, orange marmalade and a floral hint on the finish. Moderate bitterness.

Mouthfeel is medium, well carbonated.

Overall, a solid, old school DIPA.

Oct 10, 2020

rex_4539 from Greece

4.11/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

L: Hazy amber color, two finger white head, messy lacing, light carbonation.

S: Hops, malts. Not much going on.

T: Hoppy, malty, bitter. Very good.

F: Full bodied, tons of hop and malt flavors.

O: Superb West Coast DIPA.

Sep 04, 2020

JohnniEMc from Pennsylvania

4.34/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Mongo pours out a color to the copper side of amber. There's plenty of rich off-white head as well as some glass lacing. A very nice juicy hop aroma presents itself. It's delicious with hops forward and at the exit. Their contributions are married to a solid malt backing that positively adds to the taste and mouth feel. Mongo runs a little sweet and there are other eight percenters that hide the alcohol a little better. Not flawless, but an excellent DIPA.

Aug 10, 2020

hopsputin from New Jersey

4.27/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

a: nice copper color with a hint of light orange. 2 finger frothy off-white head

s: grapefruit, ripe mango, passionfruit. sweet caramel, toffee, strawberries. crackers, peach, orange zest, and sticky resin

t: sweet resin and orange zest upfront. crackers, ripe mango. pineapple, and pine needles. some sweet sap and pine as well at the end

m: medium mouthfeel, moderate carbonation

o: a really nice West Coast DIPA. has some piney bitterness, along with some tropical fruit and sweet malts. everything you look for in a DIPA

Jul 25, 2020

TrashMax from New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured out of a pint can. Golden Amber pour with a nice frothy head. Herbal, Citrus, fruity notes both in smell and taste. Leaves a similar albeit slightly hoppy/bitter after taste. Medium to full bodied, had a nice bite and you can feel the flavors dissipating after every sip. Delightful drink!

Jul 04, 2020

JamarcusMarinovich from California

3.93/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into pint glass from 16 ounce can. Very nice 2 finger head that dissipates well. Good golden amber color, no different than many similar offerings. Light tropical fruit on the nose as well as a bit of pine-y hops. The sip is where this is better than others. A juicy, almost (~almost) tropical hint and hop forward for sure, but not a palate-wrecker hop inferno. Since DIPA is one of my favorite styles, I'm looking for something different than usual offerings. Look that sucks me in? Check. Hop forward but not palate-wrecking? Check. Higher AC? 8% check. And that's where I like it. An 8% that doesn't hit you hard in the front but comes up on you slower. Pretty darn good.

May 09, 2020

RyanK252 from California

4.09/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Can poured into a Mountain Rambler Brewing Co pint glass

A: Pours golden amber with a frothy eggshell white head that settles to a thin layer and leaves some light lacing.

S: Resinous, spicy, slightly herbal, piney, zesty citrus, faint fruity notes, slightly toasty crackery/biscuity malt, and just a hint of caramel sweetness.

T: Resinous pine, peppery spice, floral, zesty citrus, lemon and grapefruit, subtle fruity notes, peach, apricot, and passion fruit, a little herbal and grassy, slightly toasty crackery/biscuity malt, and a touch of caramel sweetness.

M: A little on the fuller side of medium body,

O: There is a soft spot in my heart for a good West Coast DIPA. Big, bold, and enough bitterness that it can't even think about getting overly sweet. This one will wake you up then knock you out. Good stuff.

Feb 08, 2020

cjeep from Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

L: Deep orange, murky (not ideal - more clear or more hazy would be more attractive). nice head with good retention.
S: Citrus aroma but a bit muddled.
T: Citrus, pine, nice bitterness on the finish.
F: Smooth and rich. Nice carbonation.
It's a winner! Cjeep impressed, have deep feelings for Mongo!

Jan 11, 2020

tone77 from Pennsylvania

3.67/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A thanks to the captain of the canquest, woodychandler, for this beer. Poured from a 16. oz.can. Has a cloudy orange color with a 1/2 inch head, Smell is of citrus, pine. Taste is dank, citrus, pine at the finish, a touch of alcohol, moderate bitterness. Feels medium/full bodied in the mouth and overall is a quality beer.

Dec 16, 2019

Lone_Freighter from Vermont

4.29/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Bottom of the can stamped "freshest by 10/15/2019."
This was poured into a tulip.
The appearance had a pure golden bronzed copper transparent color with a small finger's worth of white foamy head softly dissolving. One ring of semi-foamy lace stuck pretty tight near the top.
The aroma had a wonderful blend of a tight knit melon to citrus with muted danky earthy hemp-like grassy character.
The flavor moderately mixed together all of the prior mentioned aromas, sweetly in an earthy fashion. Some shy hemp/earthy/biscuit malt lingers right before a semi-sticky aftertaste of melon, danky hemp and citrusy coated malts.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied with a fair sipping quality about it. A certain dryness invades but isn't overbearing. Carbonation felt good for an American Imperial IPA. Good crisp clean finish of citrus peel, sticky melon and biscuits.
Overall, really nice authentic American Imperial IPA done up in the West coast fashion, what's not to love here! Definitely proof that the 'New England styled IPA' isn't the only beer style on the market.

Aug 25, 2019

Mister_Faucher from Washington

3.77/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A pretty old school take on NW IPAs, piney, bitter. Fruit and malt sweetness take a back seat. If you prefer the new age IPAs stay away, otherwise this will be great for you.

Jun 27, 2019

patre_tim from Thailand

4.05/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Hazy orange with lots of floaters, a few bubbles and 2 fingers of off white head.

Smells of resinous pine, citrus, caramel, dank roast garlic, onion, and tropical punch.

Tastes of nice balance of caramel sweet and grapefruit bitter, tropical fruit and pine.

The feel is rich, smooth and balanced. Slightly sticky, but really moorish.

I got this in Redding where I am drinking it Feb 19th, 2019. Excellent brew

Feb 20, 2019

jwc215 from Arizona

4.35/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

16 oz. can:

Pours golden with a white head that fizzes away to barely an island. Some vanishing lace slides down the glass.

The smell is of citrus - grapefruit, orange, tangerine - with pine/resin. Herbal spicing comes through, as does a touch of caramel. Rich and complex.

The taste of strong citrus blends with pine. Caramelized malt with a touch of light toast balances the hop goodness. Spicy, bittersweet finish.

The malt supports the hops making it smooth despite abv. Alcohol well-integrated, adding a bit of warming spice, while not being harsh or hot. Pleasant, lingering aftertaste.

This is a great example of a West Coast DIPA. Aggressive, but smooth and pleasant. NIce citric/pine character with a supporting caramel, lightly toasted malt backbone. Very enjoyable!

Nov 29, 2018

MaltsOfGlory from Oregon

4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

16oz can

Pours a wonderful, full finger of white head into my tulip. However, I can hear the head fizzing away. The body is a pretty balanced mix of orange and red hues. Not really cloudy, but visibility is about medium, presumably from the slightly dark color. Small amounts of bubbles coming up. This looks good so far.

The nose is pretty sweet and malt forward. Not gross, but it's flirting with too sweet. A tad bit of piney bitterness in here, it's largely dwarfed by the malts, but it is noticeable, and important. Seemed a tad fruity at first take, but I'm not getting much of that anymore. It smells good, not very complex, and a little sweet, but it smells good.

The flavor is similar in a lot of ways. The sweetness certainly hits first and foremost. There is a hop presence here, which is very good. The hops don't have quite as much character on the flavor, more just a bitter presence. Still, it's a decent balance of hops to malts, considering the sweetness, the hops hit back pretty hard. The beer is getting dryer and more balanced the more I taste it, it's quite nice. Nothing fancy here, but it's a well done beer, no off flavors, and pretty refreshing. Perhaps a small amount of tropical fruit hiding underneath here too. Overall, good flavor.

The carbonation is about medium. The body is medium, maybe a hair lighter than that. Not too much in the way of lingering sweetness or bitterness - the beer really cleaned up, and is coming through quite dry now. Overall a very nice mouthfeel, it's a pretty light bodied double, makes for a sessionable beer.

The drinkability is very good, you don't get any heat, and the fact that neither the sugars, nor hops linger, helps it go down with ease.

Overall this is a solid double. Nothing crazy, but a good beer.

The appearance turned out pretty mediocre. Little to no lacing. Head retention was...not terrible I suppose, but there is zero head or foam towards the bottom of the glass. It started out better than it ended.

Nov 21, 2018

GuyFawkes from Illinois

3.09/5  rDev -26.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Unknown vintage; drank 9/25/18 @ the Yarchives.

See-through orange appearance.

A violent pour yielded a big, noisy off-white head; a thick curtain of frothy lace.

Caramel, pine & grapefruit notes in the nose.

Medium thick, sticky mouthfeel.

Dry grapefruit & caramel flavors up front; dry pine notes on the finish. No booze heat.

This is an old-model IPA that's barely drinkable; unpleasantly dry & a touch cloying. Permanent pass.

Sep 26, 2018

RaulMondesi from California

4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Like, sometimes short and sweet is the way to go, you know? So let’s do that. Glows a golden hue like a Tahitian hooker, and it smells like her mama on a good day. Taste is pleasant like when you realize your girls dad approves of you. Good beer, but having a Best Buy date rather than a canning date is extremely offputting.

Jul 14, 2018

Beers-es from Virginia

4.12/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From a pint can, pours a mostly clear deep gold. Huge puffy head lasts forever and leaves big sheets of lacing. Smell and taste are classic West Coast citrus and pine. Nicely bitter. Good beer, but gotta say I'm not inclined to buy again without a canned-on date. They have a "freshest by" date, but no clue if that means 3 months, 6 months, or whatever.

Jun 08, 2018

The_Kriek_Freak from Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

This was not the freshest can but despite the lack of freshness I was very pleased to see that the liquid inside had not turned into an overly malty beer, but had developed a mildly neutral aroma and taste, a lot alike a flavorful lager. A really easy to drink DIPA and one I'd be very curious to sample perhaps fresh.

Mar 25, 2018

cbutova from Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Have probably had this beer on draft, in bottles several times in my life and now in a sweet looking can!

A- Tallboy into a snifter with a slightly hazy deep golden slight amber body and a tall, thick crown. The white cream shoots up to two fingers with great retention. Tons of thick lacing sheets and webs drape the glassware.

S- Classic west coast pre-NE invasion hop profile off the top with just a hint of bready and sweet grains to back the hops. Tropical fruits like mango, citrus like grapefruit, pine resin, dank herbs, mint and soft mandarins come to mind.

T- The malts and yeast open up just a bit more here and what you get is a well balanced and flavorful DIPA. Hops lead the way with a classic grapefruit flavor and pithy bitterness up front leading into pine, dankness, floral, orange, mango and herbal hops. The sweetness is pronounced and pale to toasty malt flavors come out without clashing with the hops. Somewhat bready as well.

MF- Creamy and silky texture feeling like a soft pillow on the palate that has some nice heft to it. High end and crisp carbonation all leads to a sharp grapefruit oil bitterness in the finish.

A classic West Coast brew that still stands up to the best of the style. Many NE and new school IPAs have gone too far with the hop powders to the point of burning acrid flavors where this remains smooth and insanely drinkable for 8% with a deep, balanced flavor.

Mar 23, 2018

stevoj from Idaho

4.36/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Draft at the Industry. Beautiful copper pour, soft creamy head. Gentle hoppy aroma, funky, dank. Taste is an initial blossoming of the hops on the tongue, followed by all the rest of the flavors, malts. Hops linger and tickle, slight warmth. Just beautiful.

Feb 26, 2018

TheSixthRing from California

4.04/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Canned best by date of 03/06/18

Appearance - Pours clear with a bright, golden orange hue. White, half finger width head that dissipates rather quickly, leaving a thin, broken layer of suds with a thin ring around the edge of the glass. A small amount of spots makes up the lacing.

Smell - Slightly citrusy, spicy, piney, earthy and hints of tropical fruit.

Taste - Follows the nose. Candied orange, spice, pine and some light, bready malt sweetness sitting beneath. Finish hits with faint pith, a touch of caramel and some light tropical fruitiness.

Mouthfeel - Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation. Slick texture with a refreshing, slightly dry finish.

Overall - Pretty good classic West Coast DIPA. Nice, cohesive flavor profile and an easy drinker makes this an attractive option in the future.

Feb 04, 2018