Rampant Imperial IPA
New Belgium Brewing Company

Rampant Imperial IPARampant Imperial IPA
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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:
2,915
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:
Photo of 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
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, 2015
More User Ratings:
Photo of stevoj
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
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, 2023
 
Rated: 3.89 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

Oct 19, 2021
 
Rated: 3.82 by jmbeerdude91 from Arizona

Dec 16, 2019
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed 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
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, 2019
 
Rated: 3.75 by bdlusa from Texas

Jun 25, 2019
 
Rated: 3.88 by Kolb from Montana

Apr 26, 2019
 
Rated: 3.5 by bigschoolrecords from Pennsylvania

Jan 06, 2019
 
Rated: 3.93 by dafla67 from Pennsylvania

Dec 12, 2018
 
Rated: 3.58 by gmale9000 from New York

Dec 06, 2018
Photo of iguanodon
Reviewed by iguanodon from Utah

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
 
Rated: 2.89 by isaac_barrow from Indiana

Jul 22, 2018
 
Rated: 3.5 by RickyBfromCT from Connecticut

Jun 23, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by npdevil27 from Massachusetts

Jun 06, 2018
 
Rated: 1.8 by blevinsaj from Ohio

Mar 22, 2018
 
Rated: 2.9 by dcall384 from Indiana

Feb 13, 2018
 
Rated: 2.5 by 1971bernat from Virginia

Jan 02, 2018
 
Rated: 2.5 by AyatollahGold from Indiana

Dec 22, 2017
 
Rated: 4.4 by adam36 from Illinois

Aug 10, 2017
 
Rated: 3.68 by JoeLev from Ohio

Jul 22, 2017
Rampant Imperial IPA from New Belgium Brewing Company
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 2915 ratings