Snake Run
10 Barrel Brewing Co.

 

 

seems like everything is trending imperial these days, i realize this was added a year ago and thus likely ahead of its time, but still, thats whats hot right now. its a nice hazy strong one that shows very little sign of how big it is. murky yellow from the tap, shorter but thicker white head by the time it gets to me from the bar, visually fine but largely unremarkable. the aroma is muted to me, a lot less here than i should be smelling for what should be a heavy handed dry hopped strong one, its timid in that way, not bad, just a little lacking. also, randomly in the middle of this, i wish people would stop saying "malt backbone" i mean come on, lets do better than that after a couple of hundred thousand people using that in their descriptor lines. anyway, this tastes better than it smells, earthy wheaty honey simple but not boring grain base. the hop flavor is good, somewhat surprising mango and tangerine brightness to it, papaya, mango, its delicious and juicy in a cool way, a way the nose never gives up. a hint of peach, some grain heft but not sweet, good bubbles, moderate yeast profile, almost english to me, plenty of character to finish, modern but also tied to something older school, a fine recipe and good execution as always from these guys, but not their most ambitious or exciting hazy. still, always glad to get to try their new stuff, they do everything well and i have no real critique here, this is good beer in a style i dont always love...

On tap and served in a chalice;

A: Chill-hazed straw with hints of gold; fluffy off-white head and some OK lacing.

S: Sweet stone fruit with a dank undertone/finish, generically tropical as well.

T: Smooth body, moderate flavors & easy drinking with those same apricot/stone fruits and tropical notes, light dank/pine.

MF: Medium body that toes the line between bitterness and sweetness.

O: Just fine as an IPA, doesn't quite punch like a double/imperial.

12 oz can from Boise Coop. Bright, clear golden, one finger head, streaky lacing. Hoppy aroma, piney, light citrus. Taste leads with the hops, light sweetness underneath. Not too strong but still packing 8%. Smooth with a light lingering bitterness.

Ok, a one-off beer. Light haxe, strong tropical aroma from a tight head above a light golden and slightly hazy pour. Head-on collision on the taste buds with very forward hops coupled to a dominant bitterness. There is much less of the tropical fruit in the taste, mostly pineapple and a kind of mango. This beer was brewed with a destination in mind and it made it. Mouthfeel is a bit heavy and the 8% ABV is not hidden away. It's a good IIPA if you like such things.

This is a bit stronger than my normal comfort zone, but fairly tasty for an imperial/double IPA. The dry/ grapefruity bitterness is a bit restrained, which means that you can get that full alcohol taste.

It's a decent beer, but it's not special enough to warrant more than one for me.

 

Clear gold with two fingers of eggshell head. Rings of lace appear as the level drops.
Smell dank fruity hops bready malts.
Taste is lightly dank green grapefruit zest good amount of malt support.
Mouthfeel is medium with good carbonation. The finish is slightly dry and mildly bitter.
Overall a tasty DIPA. Best by April 8, 2020.

 

 

 

Six pack of cans picked up at Safeway in Bothell, Washington.
BBD is 22MAR20. Served in a pint glass.

Look- Slightly hazy medium gold color. Nice off-white head with solid staying power, good lacing. Active carbonation streams visible.

Smell- Stone fruit (peach/nectarine and apricot), sweet citrus (fresh mandarin orange and lemon), wet dank melon, tropical fruit (pineapple, mango and papaya), light pine, bready malt, light berry and herbal/floral notes.

Taste- Juicy stone fruit and melon, bright citrus with a solid malt backbone, some light pine notes. Nicely balanced.

Feel- Medium bodied, dry and crisp with a moderately bitter finish. Medium carbonation on the tongue.

O- This is one of the better offerings from 10 Barrel in recent memory, at $10 a six pack it's very reasonably priced too. Give it a shot if you see it.