Trickster IPA
Black Raven Brewing Co.
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- IPA - American
Ranked #1,114 - ABV:
- 6.8%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #8,777 - Avg:
- 3.99 | pDev: 8.77%
- Reviews:
- 58
- Ratings:
- From:
- Black Raven Brewing Co.
- Washington, United States
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 22
- Gots
- 83
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
Notes:
In mythology, the raven can play tricks or otherwise disobey normal rules, hence the name Trickster. This well-balanced IPA has a light fruit, citrus and piney hop aroma with a full hop flavor. With delicately balanced malt and hops and a 6.9% ABV, this beer has truly earned its name. Available year-round.
Reviews: 58
| Ratings: 304
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Reviews by vladdswrath:
vladdswrath from Washington
3.5/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Red amber pour, big sudsy head. Aroma is light and understated, vaguely dank with the barest hint of citrus. I had to really work to get anything at all. Taste is much more boisterous than the nose. Sweet carmel into a swarm of fruit flavors and a blast of bitter, bitter, grapefruit. The bitterness in this one lingers longer than most, but it doesn't outlast its welcome and feels perfectly appropriate with the rest of the beer's flavor profile. Mouth feel is pretty light and seems a bit over-carbonated, but it's not bad by any stretch.
Jun 04, 2016
3.5/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Red amber pour, big sudsy head. Aroma is light and understated, vaguely dank with the barest hint of citrus. I had to really work to get anything at all. Taste is much more boisterous than the nose. Sweet carmel into a swarm of fruit flavors and a blast of bitter, bitter, grapefruit. The bitterness in this one lingers longer than most, but it doesn't outlast its welcome and feels perfectly appropriate with the rest of the beer's flavor profile. Mouth feel is pretty light and seems a bit over-carbonated, but it's not bad by any stretch.
Jun 04, 2016
More User Reviews:
imstimpy from Texas
3.94/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured into a basic pint glass at the Seattle Taproom at SeaTac Airport. A beautiful Citrus and hop aroma presents from an oddly Amber color. Initial taste is a nice malty citrus, and a well balanced bitterness. Halfway through the malt moves forward and the citrus and hop take a back seat. It finished fairly clean, but the hoppy bitterness does slowly taper.
Jun 11, 2016
3.94/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured into a basic pint glass at the Seattle Taproom at SeaTac Airport. A beautiful Citrus and hop aroma presents from an oddly Amber color. Initial taste is a nice malty citrus, and a well balanced bitterness. Halfway through the malt moves forward and the citrus and hop take a back seat. It finished fairly clean, but the hoppy bitterness does slowly taper.
Jun 11, 2016
woemad from Washington
3.77/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
22oz bottle purchased at 99 Bottles in Federal Way, Washington, for $5. No obvious freshness date, but the guy at 99 Bottles said it’s only recently begun to be bottled, so age should (hopefully) not be an issue.
Poured into a Budge Bros. pint glass, this was a slightly chill-hazed copper-amber color, with a creamy, beige head that dropped down after a few minutes but not before leaving a sticky band of lace around the sides of the glass.
Piney, peppery and grapefruity in the nose, in that order.
Similar to the aroma, that taste was of piney, spicy, citrusy hop flavors, with a minor, mineralish taste midway through. Finishes on a bone-dry note.
Medium bodied, with a drier mouthfeel than most IPAs.
I don’t get the hype. Don’t get me wrong – it’s good., but the build up this has gotten from west-side BAs seems overdone. Maybe it’s just an off-bottle, possible since they’ve only recently begun bottling. I’ll give it another shot next time I see it, and will hopefully be able to have it on tap at some point.
Dec 07, 2014
3.77/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
22oz bottle purchased at 99 Bottles in Federal Way, Washington, for $5. No obvious freshness date, but the guy at 99 Bottles said it’s only recently begun to be bottled, so age should (hopefully) not be an issue.
Poured into a Budge Bros. pint glass, this was a slightly chill-hazed copper-amber color, with a creamy, beige head that dropped down after a few minutes but not before leaving a sticky band of lace around the sides of the glass.
Piney, peppery and grapefruity in the nose, in that order.
Similar to the aroma, that taste was of piney, spicy, citrusy hop flavors, with a minor, mineralish taste midway through. Finishes on a bone-dry note.
Medium bodied, with a drier mouthfeel than most IPAs.
I don’t get the hype. Don’t get me wrong – it’s good., but the build up this has gotten from west-side BAs seems overdone. Maybe it’s just an off-bottle, possible since they’ve only recently begun bottling. I’ll give it another shot next time I see it, and will hopefully be able to have it on tap at some point.
Dec 07, 2014
brewskifan55 from Mississippi
3.9/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Enjoyed at the Athenian (Seattle) and on tap at the brewery.
A: Clear amber with a half finger off-white head.
S: Grassy hops, floral, featuring grapefruit.
T: Smooth and citrus-y hops with grapefruit in the lead, balanced by a nice caramel malt presence.
M: Low to medium with medium, dry carbonation.
O: A decent IPA, nothing outstanding. Glad I got to try another from the Raven.
Apr 19, 2016
3.9/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Enjoyed at the Athenian (Seattle) and on tap at the brewery.
A: Clear amber with a half finger off-white head.
S: Grassy hops, floral, featuring grapefruit.
T: Smooth and citrus-y hops with grapefruit in the lead, balanced by a nice caramel malt presence.
M: Low to medium with medium, dry carbonation.
O: A decent IPA, nothing outstanding. Glad I got to try another from the Raven.
Apr 19, 2016
scootpolute from Texas
4.53/5 rDev +13.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Picked up a growler (from the Black Raven Tap Room in Redmond, WA)...I used my Georgetown (Seattle, WA) growler and poured into my Deschutes (Bend, OR) cone pint glass...
A: Mostly clear brassy hue…Leaves behind some fluffy rings of lacing...
S: Mint, marmalade, faint caramel, ripe pear, Orange citrus, lemon juice, light florals and grass...
T: Oh my...I think I've died and gone to heaven... Very smooth, deep crispness, hop bitterness… Upfront there is pineapple… lemon juice followed by leafy, dried grass, lightly toasted bread, clean caramel notes mid-palate. Finishes with pine and grassy floral…a hoppy/pine finishes, not dry but begging for you to have more!!!
M: On the fuller side of medium bodied, juicy, crisp and bitter...pretty well balanced...
O: I've had this one a couple of time in the past year (or so) at the Black Raven Tasting/Taproom, but never got around to reviewing...I'm suprised...Very clean, Very drinkable. Just an outstanding American IPA all around… pretty much nailed it with this one!...I'm so glad I only live 15 mins. from the Taproom!!...Chasin' Cheers :~)
Apr 28, 2012
4.53/5 rDev +13.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Picked up a growler (from the Black Raven Tap Room in Redmond, WA)...I used my Georgetown (Seattle, WA) growler and poured into my Deschutes (Bend, OR) cone pint glass...
A: Mostly clear brassy hue…Leaves behind some fluffy rings of lacing...
S: Mint, marmalade, faint caramel, ripe pear, Orange citrus, lemon juice, light florals and grass...
T: Oh my...I think I've died and gone to heaven... Very smooth, deep crispness, hop bitterness… Upfront there is pineapple… lemon juice followed by leafy, dried grass, lightly toasted bread, clean caramel notes mid-palate. Finishes with pine and grassy floral…a hoppy/pine finishes, not dry but begging for you to have more!!!
M: On the fuller side of medium bodied, juicy, crisp and bitter...pretty well balanced...
O: I've had this one a couple of time in the past year (or so) at the Black Raven Tasting/Taproom, but never got around to reviewing...I'm suprised...Very clean, Very drinkable. Just an outstanding American IPA all around… pretty much nailed it with this one!...I'm so glad I only live 15 mins. from the Taproom!!...Chasin' Cheers :~)
Apr 28, 2012
MDDMD from Pennsylvania
4.06/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A-medium amber color with a nice white head and decent lacing
S-citrus, tropical fruit, bready malt, floral, hint of caramel
T-bready malt, grapefruit, tropical fruit, floral, light caramel, moderate bitter finish
F-medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp
O-solid IPA, easy drinking
Jul 19, 2014
4.06/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A-medium amber color with a nice white head and decent lacing
S-citrus, tropical fruit, bready malt, floral, hint of caramel
T-bready malt, grapefruit, tropical fruit, floral, light caramel, moderate bitter finish
F-medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp
O-solid IPA, easy drinking
Jul 19, 2014
MacStinson from Michigan
4.03/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Jan 03, 2016
4.03/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Jan 03, 2016
PacNWDad from Washington
4.13/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
May 24, 2015
4.13/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
May 24, 2015
rabiddawg from North Carolina
4/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Jun 14, 2015
4/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Jun 14, 2015
mecmd from Tennessee
4.25/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Apr 16, 2017
4.25/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Apr 16, 2017
Trickster IPA from Black Raven Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
89 out of
100 with
304 ratings
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