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Rampant Imperial IPA
New Belgium Brewing Company
- From:
- New Belgium Brewing Company
- Colorado, United States
- Style:
- Imperial IPA
- ABV:
- 8.5%
- Score:
- 85
- Avg:
- 3.79 | pDev: 12.66%
- Reviews:
- 489
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Jun 07, 2023
- Added:
- Feb 24, 2013
- Wants:
- 79
- Gots:
- 814
A burly and bitter Imperial IPA, Rampant pours a pure copper and carries the sheen of a rightly hopped beer. The Mosaic and Calypso hops bring stonefruit to the front seat, and the addition of Centennials nod towards citrus for a well-rounded aroma. The taste expands these hops with heavy peach tones and a profoundly bitter bite. There is some malt sweetness to stand this beer up, and Rampant's finish is bone-dry.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by IsaiahHoogendyk:
Reviewed by IsaiahHoogendyk from Washington
3.92/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
3.92/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
L: Closer to a light golden, compared to the deep copper of DIPA/IIPAs I consider standard classics. Not bad, but it means that I can expect less of that amber malty balance. The foam is quite pale and tight, good lacing; rather nice, but reminds me of Belgian ales.
S: Maybe the best thing going for this beer. Very pine hop forward, especially with the first whiff from the bottle. Dissipates perhaps a bit too much as I nurse the drink. More standard hop esters and a little of that Belgian yeast funk further down the glass (nice, but not exactly expected for an IIPA).
T: As with the smell (and look), the promise of those puckering hops comes through, almost reminding me of Sierra Nevada's Hop Hunter (an instant classic in my book), though not as fruity and fresh tasting. This Imperial tastes like what the IPA naysayers are naysaying. Not bad in my book, but I feel this could be much better balanced. Also, the label promised peach. I didn't get a lot of that, but I definitely got lots of almond, which is pretty close (the stone of the stone fruit, more or less).
F: Feel is nice, but I generally look for more of that high gravity mouthfeel, which again would be due to a maltier backbone. This definitely feels thinner than other DIPAs, but more astringent.
O: For the on sale price of $7.99 for six, this is a good deal. But full price at >$10, I'd rather go for the more interesting offerings, whether IPA or DIPA. That said, it was an interesting contrast to comparable styles. I won't have any trouble getting through the remainder of the six pack, that's for sure!
(Second taste the next night: I think this one is growing on me, so upped a couple of the points.)
Sep 18, 2015S: Maybe the best thing going for this beer. Very pine hop forward, especially with the first whiff from the bottle. Dissipates perhaps a bit too much as I nurse the drink. More standard hop esters and a little of that Belgian yeast funk further down the glass (nice, but not exactly expected for an IIPA).
T: As with the smell (and look), the promise of those puckering hops comes through, almost reminding me of Sierra Nevada's Hop Hunter (an instant classic in my book), though not as fruity and fresh tasting. This Imperial tastes like what the IPA naysayers are naysaying. Not bad in my book, but I feel this could be much better balanced. Also, the label promised peach. I didn't get a lot of that, but I definitely got lots of almond, which is pretty close (the stone of the stone fruit, more or less).
F: Feel is nice, but I generally look for more of that high gravity mouthfeel, which again would be due to a maltier backbone. This definitely feels thinner than other DIPAs, but more astringent.
O: For the on sale price of $7.99 for six, this is a good deal. But full price at >$10, I'd rather go for the more interesting offerings, whether IPA or DIPA. That said, it was an interesting contrast to comparable styles. I won't have any trouble getting through the remainder of the six pack, that's for sure!
(Second taste the next night: I think this one is growing on me, so upped a couple of the points.)
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho
3.38/5 rDev -10.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.38/5 rDev -10.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Somewhat subdued and sweet for a double. Looks great with thick, rocky head. Aroma is apples (?), hops. Taste is hops and apple juice, with short, dry finish. Sharp bitterness remains on the palate. Smooth for a double, but without the kick I was expecting.
Jun 07, 2023Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois
3.5/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
From old, undated notes. Poured from the bottle.
Clear yellow/orange color.
Bright white head; spotty lacing.
Light citrus nose with a hint of vinegar.
Thin mouthfeel.
A hint of honey saves the flavor, but this lacks citrus & is overly bitter.
Aug 09, 2019Clear yellow/orange color.
Bright white head; spotty lacing.
Light citrus nose with a hint of vinegar.
Thin mouthfeel.
A hint of honey saves the flavor, but this lacks citrus & is overly bitter.
Reviewed by iguanodon from Utah
2.81/5 rDev -25.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
2.81/5 rDev -25.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
[Original rating 2014-08-15] Pours clear dark gold with a thin white head, good lacing. Aroma is citrus, pine, a little floral. Taste is bitter, boozy, a little soapy.
Oct 24, 2018
Rampant Imperial IPA from New Belgium Brewing Company
Beer rating:
85 out of
100 with
2915 ratings
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