Grapefruit Jungle (GFJ) | Sun King Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Sun King Brewing Company
Indiana, United States | website
Style: American IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.50%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by robwestcott on 05-23-2010
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 68 | Ratings: 358
4/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
16oz tallboy can, sample from the brewery.
Loving the artwork on this can. Two fingers of head to start, clear amber hue. Soft hop resin nose with tropical fruit and grassy undertones. Lots of layers of hoppiness unfold with each sip, soft bready malt and hints of caramel within. Bitterness is there but it is rounded. Sure, there is balance for this hefty IPA. Damn good drinking.
★ 384 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
16oz tallboy can, sample from the brewery.
Loving the artwork on this can. Two fingers of head to start, clear amber hue. Soft hop resin nose with tropical fruit and grassy undertones. Lots of layers of hoppiness unfold with each sip, soft bready malt and hints of caramel within. Bitterness is there but it is rounded. Sure, there is balance for this hefty IPA. Damn good drinking.
★ 384 characters
4.05/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Fun can art as always. I'm inclined to like it before I even crack it open. Good clarity, orange red hue, couple fingers of head that fades quickly. Minimal lacing. Resin and grapefruit pith, sort of grassy. Fruit peel bitterness. Moderate malt presence to hold it together.
★ 274 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Fun can art as always. I'm inclined to like it before I even crack it open. Good clarity, orange red hue, couple fingers of head that fades quickly. Minimal lacing. Resin and grapefruit pith, sort of grassy. Fruit peel bitterness. Moderate malt presence to hold it together.
★ 274 characters
4.15/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Can shared by raveskdr. Thanks Chris!
The beer is orange with a white head. Big grapefruit juicy nose, with abundant hops, followed by some bready malts and a hint of alcohol. Nice flavor. Big and bold with sufficient bitterness in the back. A bit of warming alcohol heat in the finish. More of a sipper than a refreshing IPA. Good stuff.
★ 339 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Can shared by raveskdr. Thanks Chris!
The beer is orange with a white head. Big grapefruit juicy nose, with abundant hops, followed by some bready malts and a hint of alcohol. Nice flavor. Big and bold with sufficient bitterness in the back. A bit of warming alcohol heat in the finish. More of a sipper than a refreshing IPA. Good stuff.
★ 339 characters
4.8/5 rDev +15.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I love the way The CANQuest (TM) CANtinues to ferret out new CANs for me to review! I read a post about this beer's upcoming release and sent a BeerMail reach-out to one of the release's attendees to see about trading for some. Many, many thanks to dannyfrost for taking me up on my offer! I CAN't wait to drink me some jungle juice.
From the CAN: As noted by a previous reviewer, it came in a generic CAN with an attached sticker. "A pint in every [CAN]"; "Fresh-Local-Beer"; "Specialty Beer"; "Water-Grain-Hops-Yeast; Crafted for you enjoyment with love from Sun King".
The Crack immediately filled the air with a grapefruit scent and the Glug left no need for air freshener, as long as one likes the citrusy smell of grapefruit ... I produced two-and-a-half fingers of thick tawny head with excellent retention. The beer itself was a gorgeous shade of amber with NE-plus quality clarity, allowing me to see into the future. BUPGOO! The nose was enough to put this hophead into orbit, what with its full-on raging grapefruitiness. Mouthfeel was medium and the taste was EXACTLY like grapefruit juice - intense, bitter, tangy, effin beautiful! I have to cop to being an aficionado of grapefruit juice in the morning, especially when I take breakfast at a diner. Grapefruit juice and a hot cuppa joe has resurrected my dead, drunken ass on more occasions than I care to think about. Man, I was feeling fully revitalized while drinking this beer! They might market its medicinal qualities in the future. Just sayin' ... Lacing was on the light side, although it was present. The finish was gaspingly dry and bitter and I was sucking it down the way an SUV sucks up gasoline. I read complaints that it was spendy, but I found it worthwhile and I would definitely buy more to have in my cooler on Hula in the Coola Day in February. It may not be for everybody, but it was definitely for me! Thanks again, dannyfrost.
★ 1,915 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I love the way The CANQuest (TM) CANtinues to ferret out new CANs for me to review! I read a post about this beer's upcoming release and sent a BeerMail reach-out to one of the release's attendees to see about trading for some. Many, many thanks to dannyfrost for taking me up on my offer! I CAN't wait to drink me some jungle juice.
From the CAN: As noted by a previous reviewer, it came in a generic CAN with an attached sticker. "A pint in every [CAN]"; "Fresh-Local-Beer"; "Specialty Beer"; "Water-Grain-Hops-Yeast; Crafted for you enjoyment with love from Sun King".
The Crack immediately filled the air with a grapefruit scent and the Glug left no need for air freshener, as long as one likes the citrusy smell of grapefruit ... I produced two-and-a-half fingers of thick tawny head with excellent retention. The beer itself was a gorgeous shade of amber with NE-plus quality clarity, allowing me to see into the future. BUPGOO! The nose was enough to put this hophead into orbit, what with its full-on raging grapefruitiness. Mouthfeel was medium and the taste was EXACTLY like grapefruit juice - intense, bitter, tangy, effin beautiful! I have to cop to being an aficionado of grapefruit juice in the morning, especially when I take breakfast at a diner. Grapefruit juice and a hot cuppa joe has resurrected my dead, drunken ass on more occasions than I care to think about. Man, I was feeling fully revitalized while drinking this beer! They might market its medicinal qualities in the future. Just sayin' ... Lacing was on the light side, although it was present. The finish was gaspingly dry and bitter and I was sucking it down the way an SUV sucks up gasoline. I read complaints that it was spendy, but I found it worthwhile and I would definitely buy more to have in my cooler on Hula in the Coola Day in February. It may not be for everybody, but it was definitely for me! Thanks again, dannyfrost.
★ 1,915 characters
4.08/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Test batch from an anonymous source. Label was a sticker on a generic Sun King can. Served in a Jester King snifter.
A - Finger of off-white foam that settles to a thin cap and thicker collar, leaving behind splotchy lace. Body is hazed dark golden-orange that made me think Double IPA initially.
S - Hops seem to have faded since this was brewed, although there is still some pithy grapefruit and tangerine character. Malt character is mostly icing sugar, and there's a bit of alcohol zest as well. I'm not going to be too hard, as I'm guessing this is from the January batch.
T - Taste is a nice East Coast blend of citrus-heavy hops with a caramel and bready malt backdrop. Tastes like there is some added dextrose as well. Finishes with light bitterness. Alcohol is better-hidden here.
M - Resiny medium body, pleasant medium carbonation level, dry finish, and no alcohol. Quite nice.
D - I thought this was more of a Double, but that may be because of the faded hop character since late January. In any case, it was enjoyable and I'd love to try it when there is a fresh batch, either on-tap or from a growler (or can if they go that route).
★ 1,151 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Test batch from an anonymous source. Label was a sticker on a generic Sun King can. Served in a Jester King snifter.
A - Finger of off-white foam that settles to a thin cap and thicker collar, leaving behind splotchy lace. Body is hazed dark golden-orange that made me think Double IPA initially.
S - Hops seem to have faded since this was brewed, although there is still some pithy grapefruit and tangerine character. Malt character is mostly icing sugar, and there's a bit of alcohol zest as well. I'm not going to be too hard, as I'm guessing this is from the January batch.
T - Taste is a nice East Coast blend of citrus-heavy hops with a caramel and bready malt backdrop. Tastes like there is some added dextrose as well. Finishes with light bitterness. Alcohol is better-hidden here.
M - Resiny medium body, pleasant medium carbonation level, dry finish, and no alcohol. Quite nice.
D - I thought this was more of a Double, but that may be because of the faded hop character since late January. In any case, it was enjoyable and I'd love to try it when there is a fresh batch, either on-tap or from a growler (or can if they go that route).
★ 1,151 characters
4.21/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a tallboy into a snifter, the beer is a slightly hazed, copper-caramel coloring with a low profile, bubbly, off-white head. Aromas of passion fruit, kiwi, mango, orange, and grapefruit all hit the nose, with some subtle caramel and floral hops notes a little deeper in. Flavors are fruity and rich forward, heavy on the tropical fruit notes, with a solid layer of passion fruit, melon, and grapefruit. Slick and tangy caramel backbone, with roasted overtones, and a dank, resinous, hoppy character providing some solid bitterness. Oily slick and full bodied, with a fruity sweet and richly bitter aftertaste. The finish is dank and bitter, slick and smooth, with a solid linger. Good IPA.
★ 700 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a tallboy into a snifter, the beer is a slightly hazed, copper-caramel coloring with a low profile, bubbly, off-white head. Aromas of passion fruit, kiwi, mango, orange, and grapefruit all hit the nose, with some subtle caramel and floral hops notes a little deeper in. Flavors are fruity and rich forward, heavy on the tropical fruit notes, with a solid layer of passion fruit, melon, and grapefruit. Slick and tangy caramel backbone, with roasted overtones, and a dank, resinous, hoppy character providing some solid bitterness. Oily slick and full bodied, with a fruity sweet and richly bitter aftertaste. The finish is dank and bitter, slick and smooth, with a solid linger. Good IPA.
★ 700 characters
4.11/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I picked this up at the brewery and had a couple growlers filled. I tried it on tap before I purchased the growler and it was excellent. It was my first time there so it was cool to see how they operate and to grab a beer that had just been released. The growler popped pretty loudly as I opened it and this beer poured a pretty thin, very translucent dark auburn in color with a one finger fluffy white head which laced the glass. Instantly you get aromas of very citrusy and piny hops as well as orange peel and grapefruit (hence the name). It also has this pleasant bubblegum like sweetness on the backend. The flavor is very good as well. It's very dry and very piny. The citrus and grapefruit come through really well and give it both bitter and sweet accents. It drinks pretty light and is very crisp and well carbonated. This beer is very drinkable. I'm not usually a fan of Sun King but this beer is pretty superb. It's understandable why they ran out of the beer in less than two days.
★ 994 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I picked this up at the brewery and had a couple growlers filled. I tried it on tap before I purchased the growler and it was excellent. It was my first time there so it was cool to see how they operate and to grab a beer that had just been released. The growler popped pretty loudly as I opened it and this beer poured a pretty thin, very translucent dark auburn in color with a one finger fluffy white head which laced the glass. Instantly you get aromas of very citrusy and piny hops as well as orange peel and grapefruit (hence the name). It also has this pleasant bubblegum like sweetness on the backend. The flavor is very good as well. It's very dry and very piny. The citrus and grapefruit come through really well and give it both bitter and sweet accents. It drinks pretty light and is very crisp and well carbonated. This beer is very drinkable. I'm not usually a fan of Sun King but this beer is pretty superb. It's understandable why they ran out of the beer in less than two days.
★ 994 characters
3.77/5 rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Many thanks to the legendary woodychandler for the hook up. Poured from a 16 oz. can. Has a burnt orange color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is alive with grapefruit and hops. Taste is very hoppy, grapefruit, considerable bitterness throughout. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is a good quality beer.
★ 311 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Many thanks to the legendary woodychandler for the hook up. Poured from a 16 oz. can. Has a burnt orange color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is alive with grapefruit and hops. Taste is very hoppy, grapefruit, considerable bitterness throughout. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is a good quality beer.
★ 311 characters
4.08/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Aroma is grapefruit and resin laden, with a strong, sweet caramel malt backbone.
Flavor reveals a sweet caramel malt backbone countered by earthy, resiny bitterness and a grapefruit juice/pith character that adds depth.
★ 220 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Aroma is grapefruit and resin laden, with a strong, sweet caramel malt backbone.
Flavor reveals a sweet caramel malt backbone countered by earthy, resiny bitterness and a grapefruit juice/pith character that adds depth.
★ 220 characters
4.23/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A special thanks to Prager62 for this can!
A - Pours a deep copper amber color, clear, nice carbonation and a fluffy white head that sticks around.
S - Very pungent, dank citrus aroma and no malt anywhere to be found. Has a slight tinge of that cat pee aroma presence.
T - Just a ton of juicy red, pithy grapefruit rind and tangy orange/tangerine with a little bit of toasted caramel malt on the backside. Red juicy citrus dominates the palate and leaves a very long lingering bitter citrus finish.
M - Medium body with moderate carbonation pricklies on the tongue.
O - This is an outstanding IPA.
★ 602 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A special thanks to Prager62 for this can!
A - Pours a deep copper amber color, clear, nice carbonation and a fluffy white head that sticks around.
S - Very pungent, dank citrus aroma and no malt anywhere to be found. Has a slight tinge of that cat pee aroma presence.
T - Just a ton of juicy red, pithy grapefruit rind and tangy orange/tangerine with a little bit of toasted caramel malt on the backside. Red juicy citrus dominates the palate and leaves a very long lingering bitter citrus finish.
M - Medium body with moderate carbonation pricklies on the tongue.
O - This is an outstanding IPA.
★ 602 characters
4.03/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
16oz can. Drank most of this one from the can and then poured the rest into a shaker pint glass.
Pours a lighter copper body, half finger white head, not much retention or lacing. Smells of citrus, grapefruit, a bit of zest, mild malt background, a bit of grass, primarily citrus. Flavour is similarly citrusy and grapefruit-forward; it fits the name. A minimal malt background provides a bit of caramel sweetness to balance things out. Nice and easy on the palate, though it is reasonably bitter with grapefruit skin. Mouthfeel is medium-thinner bodied, good carbonation, moderately bitter citrus and grapefruit finish. Overall, a tasty IPA with a nice citrus bite to it. It's solid and tasty.
★ 695 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
16oz can. Drank most of this one from the can and then poured the rest into a shaker pint glass.
Pours a lighter copper body, half finger white head, not much retention or lacing. Smells of citrus, grapefruit, a bit of zest, mild malt background, a bit of grass, primarily citrus. Flavour is similarly citrusy and grapefruit-forward; it fits the name. A minimal malt background provides a bit of caramel sweetness to balance things out. Nice and easy on the palate, though it is reasonably bitter with grapefruit skin. Mouthfeel is medium-thinner bodied, good carbonation, moderately bitter citrus and grapefruit finish. Overall, a tasty IPA with a nice citrus bite to it. It's solid and tasty.
★ 695 characters
4.35/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
On tap at the Black Sparrow in Lafayette.
Pours thick, dark, and hazy. Like clay-laden puddle water, only in a good way.
Smells... welp, it smells like grapefruit hops. Giant, sticky citrus nodes balanced with a bready malt that does a good job of bookending the aroma without detracting from the hop complexities.
Tastes as it smells, a barrage of citrus hops that would be overwhelming were it not for juuust the right amount of pleasantly dull, bready malt. It's a very big flavor, and it's pulled off quite well--there's no icky nodes, no tongue scum, no burniness. It's not quite complex enough to make an elite strong IPA, but it's damn close.
★ 653 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
On tap at the Black Sparrow in Lafayette.
Pours thick, dark, and hazy. Like clay-laden puddle water, only in a good way.
Smells... welp, it smells like grapefruit hops. Giant, sticky citrus nodes balanced with a bready malt that does a good job of bookending the aroma without detracting from the hop complexities.
Tastes as it smells, a barrage of citrus hops that would be overwhelming were it not for juuust the right amount of pleasantly dull, bready malt. It's a very big flavor, and it's pulled off quite well--there's no icky nodes, no tongue scum, no burniness. It's not quite complex enough to make an elite strong IPA, but it's damn close.
★ 653 characters
4.3/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A-Clear deep orange, some carbonation, one finger head.
S-Good deal of hops, rather citrusy and tropical. Some malt and grassy notes as well.
T-Starts with citrus hops. Has a harsh (in a good way) hop finish, Mild bitterness. Tad bit of malt with some pine as well.
M-Medium bodied, slightly carbonated, good deal of hop resins.
O-A well made IPA, not really worth the pricetag, but worth trying.
★ 400 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A-Clear deep orange, some carbonation, one finger head.
S-Good deal of hops, rather citrusy and tropical. Some malt and grassy notes as well.
T-Starts with citrus hops. Has a harsh (in a good way) hop finish, Mild bitterness. Tad bit of malt with some pine as well.
M-Medium bodied, slightly carbonated, good deal of hop resins.
O-A well made IPA, not really worth the pricetag, but worth trying.
★ 400 characters
4.05/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Big thanks goes out to my boy aasher for sending me this one after the second release due to losing the first one in another shipment. Thanks Al! Shared this one with my doppelganger, funkydelic, and beeruser. Served from growler into a Bell's stemmed tulip. Poured yellow-orange with a two finger off-white head that subsided to half a finger slowly. Maintained nice lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, grapefruit, grapefruit hop, citrus, and citrus hop. The flavor was of sweet malt, grapefruit, citrus, grapefruit hop, and citrus hop. It had a medium feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a pretty good brew. As stated by the name, this one was pretty grapefruit dominant. This is usually a great thing, but this one was a little too much grapefruit to be able to pick out other subtlties in the brew. Definitely still a nice beer that any fan of the American IPA should get their hands on at least once!
★ 962 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Big thanks goes out to my boy aasher for sending me this one after the second release due to losing the first one in another shipment. Thanks Al! Shared this one with my doppelganger, funkydelic, and beeruser. Served from growler into a Bell's stemmed tulip. Poured yellow-orange with a two finger off-white head that subsided to half a finger slowly. Maintained nice lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, grapefruit, grapefruit hop, citrus, and citrus hop. The flavor was of sweet malt, grapefruit, citrus, grapefruit hop, and citrus hop. It had a medium feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a pretty good brew. As stated by the name, this one was pretty grapefruit dominant. This is usually a great thing, but this one was a little too much grapefruit to be able to pick out other subtlties in the brew. Definitely still a nice beer that any fan of the American IPA should get their hands on at least once!
★ 962 characters
4/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to Ethan for bringing this growler to our UFC 134 viewing.
A - Hazy orange beer with some gold in it. Head didn't stick around for long, left some moderate stick on the sides.
S - Actually does smell like grapefruit, although not overly bitter or sour. Citrus has a nice sweet, note to it. Sweet sugar malt backbone. Some ecent resin bitterness on the end.
T - Good amount of grapefruit that is nicely sweetened with the sugar malt backbone. I'm not a huge grapefruit fan but this manages to keep the flavor and not get too "grapefruity". Some bitterness on the end.
M - Medium bodied with good carbonation.
O - Slight alcohol bite on the end makes it seem a little bit bigger than the ABV, but this is still pretty easy to get down. Pretty good beer, although as I'm not a fan of the grapefruity beers. It's solid enough though that I'd gladly drink it again if offered.
★ 883 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to Ethan for bringing this growler to our UFC 134 viewing.
A - Hazy orange beer with some gold in it. Head didn't stick around for long, left some moderate stick on the sides.
S - Actually does smell like grapefruit, although not overly bitter or sour. Citrus has a nice sweet, note to it. Sweet sugar malt backbone. Some ecent resin bitterness on the end.
T - Good amount of grapefruit that is nicely sweetened with the sugar malt backbone. I'm not a huge grapefruit fan but this manages to keep the flavor and not get too "grapefruity". Some bitterness on the end.
M - Medium bodied with good carbonation.
O - Slight alcohol bite on the end makes it seem a little bit bigger than the ABV, but this is still pretty easy to get down. Pretty good beer, although as I'm not a fan of the grapefruity beers. It's solid enough though that I'd gladly drink it again if offered.
★ 883 characters
2.93/5 rDev -29.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Can shared by NosignsofPain in which she got in a BIF
Look: Orange in color and totally translucent. 1/2 inch head and no retention at all
Smell: Not much going on at all. Some bready notes backed up by a hint of citrus. Old batch maybe??
Taste: Ever so slight notes of citrus but no grapefruit what so ever. A bit of hop sting on the backend
Mouthfeel: Light body and medium carbonation
Overall: Not that great of a beer maybe this was a old batch
★ 453 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Can shared by NosignsofPain in which she got in a BIF
Look: Orange in color and totally translucent. 1/2 inch head and no retention at all
Smell: Not much going on at all. Some bready notes backed up by a hint of citrus. Old batch maybe??
Taste: Ever so slight notes of citrus but no grapefruit what so ever. A bit of hop sting on the backend
Mouthfeel: Light body and medium carbonation
Overall: Not that great of a beer maybe this was a old batch
★ 453 characters
3.82/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A quick to fade pillowy head tops a clear copper/orange liquid. No lace.
Wonderful citrus aromas with what would you know, grapefruit leading the way. Tangerines, lemon rind, A biscuit malt with force underlying all the fruity goodness.
Much more neutral in the mouth. Carmel, toffee and breast malts hold the earthy, grassy, not nearly as distrust hops at bay. Good bitterness but hops seem lost in the malt. A hint of burnt sugar on the finish, lemon, orange meringue, and just light grapefruit. Good acidity with a medium bodied Southfield.
★ 545 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A quick to fade pillowy head tops a clear copper/orange liquid. No lace.
Wonderful citrus aromas with what would you know, grapefruit leading the way. Tangerines, lemon rind, A biscuit malt with force underlying all the fruity goodness.
Much more neutral in the mouth. Carmel, toffee and breast malts hold the earthy, grassy, not nearly as distrust hops at bay. Good bitterness but hops seem lost in the malt. A hint of burnt sugar on the finish, lemon, orange meringue, and just light grapefruit. Good acidity with a medium bodied Southfield.
★ 545 characters
4.25/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Nice take on a bitter, grapefruity IPA. It has a nice backbone to stand up to the bitterness. I enjoyed it, but at roughly the same price, I'll take Grapefruit Sculpin all day over this.
★ 186 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Nice take on a bitter, grapefruity IPA. It has a nice backbone to stand up to the bitterness. I enjoyed it, but at roughly the same price, I'll take Grapefruit Sculpin all day over this.
★ 186 characters
3.88/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Cam just brought me some cans of this. Thanks man.
Pours a caramel brown with a nice cap of white heat. The nose is very light malt and the slightest suggestion of grapefruit hops. Could use an upgrade in this department, though the mild whiff is nice. Taste is a good blend of balancing malt flavor and a nice touch, building flavor of grapefruit, which leads to a nice, bitter finish. Each sip doesn't bring substantial grapefruit, but it seems to build and leave that flavor with you. Mouthfeel is nice to me, medium carbonation, medium mouthfeel. This is all fine, but the whole beer is pretty subtle and maybe a bit underwhelming. $4.50 a can though, I don't know about that. Recently had a lot of Zombie Dust and White Rajah. Both are cheaper and better. That said, I do really like this beer and would drink it more. It kind of grows on you. Giving a bump because it is kind of unique because the presentation of grapefruit is fun.
★ 939 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Cam just brought me some cans of this. Thanks man.
Pours a caramel brown with a nice cap of white heat. The nose is very light malt and the slightest suggestion of grapefruit hops. Could use an upgrade in this department, though the mild whiff is nice. Taste is a good blend of balancing malt flavor and a nice touch, building flavor of grapefruit, which leads to a nice, bitter finish. Each sip doesn't bring substantial grapefruit, but it seems to build and leave that flavor with you. Mouthfeel is nice to me, medium carbonation, medium mouthfeel. This is all fine, but the whole beer is pretty subtle and maybe a bit underwhelming. $4.50 a can though, I don't know about that. Recently had a lot of Zombie Dust and White Rajah. Both are cheaper and better. That said, I do really like this beer and would drink it more. It kind of grows on you. Giving a bump because it is kind of unique because the presentation of grapefruit is fun.
★ 939 characters
4.8/5 rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Poured a very nice semi-deep copper color with some very nice head and a bit of nice lacing. It had a great thick citrus hop aroma with a great sweet malt backing, well balanced in the nose. Great flavors, with a wonderful thick malt sweetness and an excellent, and very well named, grapefruit hop bitterness at the end that lasted on the tongue. Went down extremely well, with no hint of its high ABV, and just a bit of hop roughness.
★ 435 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Poured a very nice semi-deep copper color with some very nice head and a bit of nice lacing. It had a great thick citrus hop aroma with a great sweet malt backing, well balanced in the nose. Great flavors, with a wonderful thick malt sweetness and an excellent, and very well named, grapefruit hop bitterness at the end that lasted on the tongue. Went down extremely well, with no hint of its high ABV, and just a bit of hop roughness.
★ 435 characters
4/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
thanks to ptrc for leaving this can after a tasting yesterday. poured from can into alchemist stemless glass. Kinda dark for an IPA, nice copper color. Smells a little like grapefruit, but not overpoweringly so. There's more malt than i was expecting in the taste, but, surprisingly, it's a good thing here. it balances out the bittering hops quite well. Great mouthfeel, and no heat whatsoever. This beer came pretty hyped, and it may be a little past its prime, but it's definitely a good, citrusy IPA. Only knock would be it might need more citrus, to live up to the name. Would love to try super fresh.
★ 606 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
thanks to ptrc for leaving this can after a tasting yesterday. poured from can into alchemist stemless glass. Kinda dark for an IPA, nice copper color. Smells a little like grapefruit, but not overpoweringly so. There's more malt than i was expecting in the taste, but, surprisingly, it's a good thing here. it balances out the bittering hops quite well. Great mouthfeel, and no heat whatsoever. This beer came pretty hyped, and it may be a little past its prime, but it's definitely a good, citrusy IPA. Only knock would be it might need more citrus, to live up to the name. Would love to try super fresh.
★ 606 characters
4.32/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to Urbancaver for picking me up a four pack of this on his way to the CBS release and brew3crew being the middle man getting it to me. Cheers!
Appearance – Pours a dark amber into a tulip with around half finger of off white, almost tan head that dissipates slowly leaving some nice lacing.
Smell – As SOON as I pour this I smell just massive amounts of grapefruit, hence the name I suppose. Resiny, hoppy aromas mixed with a slight backbone and a crap ton of grapefruit is about all I get.
Taste – As I sip I imagine eating a grapefruit as a child, no joke. The initial bitter grapefruit taste mixed with the citrus and finally the malt comes through (like the sugar I used to put on top of grapefruit) to help balance some of the bitterness.
Mouthfeel – Medium bodied, creamy, could use a hint more carbonation.
Overall – A solid beer but at $18 a four pack, it is a bit pricy. I’d for sure pick this up every now and then if it was distributed by me though. Quite good.
★ 997 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to Urbancaver for picking me up a four pack of this on his way to the CBS release and brew3crew being the middle man getting it to me. Cheers!
Appearance – Pours a dark amber into a tulip with around half finger of off white, almost tan head that dissipates slowly leaving some nice lacing.
Smell – As SOON as I pour this I smell just massive amounts of grapefruit, hence the name I suppose. Resiny, hoppy aromas mixed with a slight backbone and a crap ton of grapefruit is about all I get.
Taste – As I sip I imagine eating a grapefruit as a child, no joke. The initial bitter grapefruit taste mixed with the citrus and finally the malt comes through (like the sugar I used to put on top of grapefruit) to help balance some of the bitterness.
Mouthfeel – Medium bodied, creamy, could use a hint more carbonation.
Overall – A solid beer but at $18 a four pack, it is a bit pricy. I’d for sure pick this up every now and then if it was distributed by me though. Quite good.
★ 997 characters
4.08/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Finally found Grapefruit Jungle! I've been on the hunt due to some friendly recommendations, and because I know these guys can do the bitter thing well - they really won me over with their Osiris PA. Plus, I love supporting my hometown brewery.
On-tap and into a pint glass at The Black Sparrow in Lafayette, IN on 09/15/11. Reviewed from notes.
A: Love this look: rich amber with a creamy beige head. Awesome shine, like I've seen in so many Sun King brews. Minimal lacing and retention.
S: Mmmmm...a big, piney hop nose. Savory grapefruit shows itself, as expected, but the main attraction is the tart pine. Some bright malt aromas beneath, though mild. Bright and lively, altogether.
T: Lovely bitters up front - bold and crisp, with a delicious, slightly citrus tang. Some chewy malts underneath provide a wheaty, fruity base, which adds nice sugars to an undeniably hop-centric brew. Aftertaste is super-dry; nothing but pine there. Very nice, Sun King.
M: Incredibly drinkable. Medium carbonation and fluidity teetering right on the edge of thinness (but never crossing over, mind you).
O: I've had a Sun King or two that did not taste like it was made in a commercial brewery - but not this one. This is a very professional example of an American IPA, and certainly worth seeking out. This is my favorite Sun King beer so far; hope they can it ASAP!
★ 1,362 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Finally found Grapefruit Jungle! I've been on the hunt due to some friendly recommendations, and because I know these guys can do the bitter thing well - they really won me over with their Osiris PA. Plus, I love supporting my hometown brewery.
On-tap and into a pint glass at The Black Sparrow in Lafayette, IN on 09/15/11. Reviewed from notes.
A: Love this look: rich amber with a creamy beige head. Awesome shine, like I've seen in so many Sun King brews. Minimal lacing and retention.
S: Mmmmm...a big, piney hop nose. Savory grapefruit shows itself, as expected, but the main attraction is the tart pine. Some bright malt aromas beneath, though mild. Bright and lively, altogether.
T: Lovely bitters up front - bold and crisp, with a delicious, slightly citrus tang. Some chewy malts underneath provide a wheaty, fruity base, which adds nice sugars to an undeniably hop-centric brew. Aftertaste is super-dry; nothing but pine there. Very nice, Sun King.
M: Incredibly drinkable. Medium carbonation and fluidity teetering right on the edge of thinness (but never crossing over, mind you).
O: I've had a Sun King or two that did not taste like it was made in a commercial brewery - but not this one. This is a very professional example of an American IPA, and certainly worth seeking out. This is my favorite Sun King beer so far; hope they can it ASAP!
★ 1,362 characters
4.3/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Had on cask at Winterfest.
A- Poured a hazy golden orange color. One finger white head hows poor retention. Light streaky lacing on the sides of the glass.
S- Tons of fresh grapefruit with hints of orange peel in the front of the beer. Some light caramel malts in the very back of the nose. Some piney hops in the ending of the aroma.
T- Well grapefruit and more grapefruit rush and crush the palate right from the get go. Light notes of orange peel toward the middle with a nice caramel malt backbone. I also get a little mango right after the caramel malt which quickly turns to grapefruit. Ending of the beer is nice warming alcohol and nice bittery hops to balance out this sweet IPA.
M- Medium mouthfeel. Carbonation was a little weak but overall still good. Grapefruit and more grapefruit left on the palate. Aftertaste is mostly light medicinal alcohol, medium graprefruit hop bite, light caramel malts, and heavier crisp piney hops. This beer was grapefruit forward and balanced toward that. No off flavors in this beer. Medium heavy drying on the palate from alcohol.
D- On cask this is a different beast. The alcohol seemed to be a little more well hidden and this helps with the drinkability. As a hophead this was dream come true. I had this both on tap and on cask and must say cask is way better.
★ 1,316 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Had on cask at Winterfest.
A- Poured a hazy golden orange color. One finger white head hows poor retention. Light streaky lacing on the sides of the glass.
S- Tons of fresh grapefruit with hints of orange peel in the front of the beer. Some light caramel malts in the very back of the nose. Some piney hops in the ending of the aroma.
T- Well grapefruit and more grapefruit rush and crush the palate right from the get go. Light notes of orange peel toward the middle with a nice caramel malt backbone. I also get a little mango right after the caramel malt which quickly turns to grapefruit. Ending of the beer is nice warming alcohol and nice bittery hops to balance out this sweet IPA.
M- Medium mouthfeel. Carbonation was a little weak but overall still good. Grapefruit and more grapefruit left on the palate. Aftertaste is mostly light medicinal alcohol, medium graprefruit hop bite, light caramel malts, and heavier crisp piney hops. This beer was grapefruit forward and balanced toward that. No off flavors in this beer. Medium heavy drying on the palate from alcohol.
D- On cask this is a different beast. The alcohol seemed to be a little more well hidden and this helps with the drinkability. As a hophead this was dream come true. I had this both on tap and on cask and must say cask is way better.
★ 1,316 characters
Grapefruit Jungle (GFJ) from Sun King Brewing Company
4.14
out of 5
based on 358 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a clear amber color with a two inch head; a fairly nice pattern of lace is left behind
Smell: Citrus aromatics, with pink grapefruit and tangerine elements; biscuity malts underneath
Taste: A little bit of the biscuit to provide a platform for the hops and then we are on to the bitter, pithy elements that dominate the aroma; pink grapefruit and tangerine; tropical elements linger, after the swallow, with some pineapple and a hint of apricot joining the citrus; the finish is clean and dry
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation
Overall: A very nice IPA, just like I like it - loads of citrus and a very clean malt character
Thanks, duels, for the opportunity
★ 695 characters