10-10-10 IPA | Swamp Head Brewery
Brewed by:
Swamp Head Brewery
Florida, United States
swamphead.com
Style: American Double / Imperial IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.00%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
"Our limited release Imperial IPA is all about excess. We use massive quantities of the finest European barley malts and American hops to produce a wonderfully malty beer with outrageous hop expression. From the initial aroma, through the balanced finish and the lingering hop flavors that coat your palette, 10-10-10 is truly fertilizer for the hop lover's soul!
BFBC BronzeIngredients:
Maris Otter and Munich Malts
Amarillo, Cascade, Centennial, Columbus, Northern Brewer, and Simcoe Hops
Production targets:
Original gravity: 24 Brix
IBUs: 110
Alcohol By Volume: 10%"
Added by tpd975 on 03-08-2010
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 25 | Ratings: 97
4.02/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Pours a relatively clear deep golden honey to copper in color with moderate amounts of active visible carbonation rising from the bottom of the glass and moderate notes of orange + peach highlights. The beer has a two finger tall dense foamy sudsy light beige head that reduces to a thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer and a medium thick ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Moderate to strong aromas of citrus/grapefruit pith and piney hops over the top of moderate aromas of caramel + grainy sweet malts.
T: Upfront there is a moderate flavor of moderately sweet caramel + grainy malts. That is followed by moderate to strong flavor of citrus/grapefruit pith and piney hops which impart a light to moderate amount of bitterness which does not linger for too long. Light hints of alcohol in the finish but not too sharp a flavor.
M: Slightly fuller than medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slight amounts of alcohol warming in the finish.
O: A very well balanced DIPA - both malty sweet and hoppy bitterness but neither outshine the other. Easy to drink for the strength and enjoyable.
★ 1,174 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Pours a relatively clear deep golden honey to copper in color with moderate amounts of active visible carbonation rising from the bottom of the glass and moderate notes of orange + peach highlights. The beer has a two finger tall dense foamy sudsy light beige head that reduces to a thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer and a medium thick ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Moderate to strong aromas of citrus/grapefruit pith and piney hops over the top of moderate aromas of caramel + grainy sweet malts.
T: Upfront there is a moderate flavor of moderately sweet caramel + grainy malts. That is followed by moderate to strong flavor of citrus/grapefruit pith and piney hops which impart a light to moderate amount of bitterness which does not linger for too long. Light hints of alcohol in the finish but not too sharp a flavor.
M: Slightly fuller than medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slight amounts of alcohol warming in the finish.
O: A very well balanced DIPA - both malty sweet and hoppy bitterness but neither outshine the other. Easy to drink for the strength and enjoyable.
★ 1,174 characters
3.96/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours orange with a sticky white foamy head.
Herbal, almost smoky, hop aroma.
The taste is sweet, with big alcohol and hop flavors that remind me of herbs.
Slick body, thanks to the alcohol, I'm sure.
Overall a nice treat for hop lovers.
★ 241 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours orange with a sticky white foamy head.
Herbal, almost smoky, hop aroma.
The taste is sweet, with big alcohol and hop flavors that remind me of herbs.
Slick body, thanks to the alcohol, I'm sure.
Overall a nice treat for hop lovers.
★ 241 characters
3.76/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
This ipa has a pleasant grain flavor to it, which leads me to believe that marriage otter was the base malt. Most of the hop flavor you get is in the form of big dank hops. However, it was much sweeter than I like my dipas to be.
★ 229 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
This ipa has a pleasant grain flavor to it, which leads me to believe that marriage otter was the base malt. Most of the hop flavor you get is in the form of big dank hops. However, it was much sweeter than I like my dipas to be.
★ 229 characters
3.96/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to my cousin Sonny down in FL for sending this one up to me. This will be my first Swamp Head experience and following that will be the 10-10-10 Pappy and Resentment.
A- Poured to a deep tulip and a pint glass with both receiving a fairly hazy, orange-amber brew. A thick, creamy white cap builds up to two fingers with great retention. Thick, frothy ring leaves huge lace pillows at the top with webs behind that.
S- Big aroma jumps out of that glass that has substantial hop and malt character. Hops pack a citrus zest, pine and resinous punch. Base of caramelized, toasty malts and some yeast fruit hints.
T- The first few sips bring a beer that is divided right down the middle between hops and malts. After some time the hops gain some strength on the grains with grapefruit, orange peel, pine resin and stone fruit notes. Fresh cracked grains, toast, biscuit, cereal and crystal malts provide a balance. Some mango hints on the back end.
MF- Thick bodied with a creamy, somewhat chewy texture. Carbonation at a high level which caters to the copious hops and the heavy bitterness that seems to linger forever.
This beer drinks big time but strikes a hard-to-find balance between big malts and big hops. Both aspects of the flavor are intriguing and work well off of each other. I find that many DIPAs have the malts in there as a result only of the high ABV, here it feels like the brewer's vision.
★ 1,416 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to my cousin Sonny down in FL for sending this one up to me. This will be my first Swamp Head experience and following that will be the 10-10-10 Pappy and Resentment.
A- Poured to a deep tulip and a pint glass with both receiving a fairly hazy, orange-amber brew. A thick, creamy white cap builds up to two fingers with great retention. Thick, frothy ring leaves huge lace pillows at the top with webs behind that.
S- Big aroma jumps out of that glass that has substantial hop and malt character. Hops pack a citrus zest, pine and resinous punch. Base of caramelized, toasty malts and some yeast fruit hints.
T- The first few sips bring a beer that is divided right down the middle between hops and malts. After some time the hops gain some strength on the grains with grapefruit, orange peel, pine resin and stone fruit notes. Fresh cracked grains, toast, biscuit, cereal and crystal malts provide a balance. Some mango hints on the back end.
MF- Thick bodied with a creamy, somewhat chewy texture. Carbonation at a high level which caters to the copious hops and the heavy bitterness that seems to linger forever.
This beer drinks big time but strikes a hard-to-find balance between big malts and big hops. Both aspects of the flavor are intriguing and work well off of each other. I find that many DIPAs have the malts in there as a result only of the high ABV, here it feels like the brewer's vision.
★ 1,416 characters
3.72/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
750 ml grabbed from the brewery just this week. Poured fresh. A beautiful dark orange pour, a little hazy, with a two finger off white head that is looking super creamy. Floral aroma, grapefruit, orange rinds, som big toffee malt sweetness. Flavor is very malt forward with lots of sweet caramel, then a good but of grapefruit and orange rind follow and linger. The mouthfeel is slick, low carbonation for the style, with a bright fruity character that leaves this lighter than it should be on the palate. Overall this was more malt forward than I had hoped--bordering on a fresh American Barleywine--but a nice beer nonetheless. Don't expect a big citrus west coast IPA when going into this and it is enjoyable.
★ 712 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
750 ml grabbed from the brewery just this week. Poured fresh. A beautiful dark orange pour, a little hazy, with a two finger off white head that is looking super creamy. Floral aroma, grapefruit, orange rinds, som big toffee malt sweetness. Flavor is very malt forward with lots of sweet caramel, then a good but of grapefruit and orange rind follow and linger. The mouthfeel is slick, low carbonation for the style, with a bright fruity character that leaves this lighter than it should be on the palate. Overall this was more malt forward than I had hoped--bordering on a fresh American Barleywine--but a nice beer nonetheless. Don't expect a big citrus west coast IPA when going into this and it is enjoyable.
★ 712 characters
3.79/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Straight pour from a pry-off 750ml/25.4oz bottle to a teku; this was bottled, oh, about a week ago. Freshhh.
Appearance (4.5): A good three fingers of pretty great-looking, light orange-tan tinted foam come off of the pour, forming a mixture of far, crackly bubbles and fine, whipped foam. The body is a very hazy, deep orange-amber color. Finally, it shows good retention in dying down very slowly and leaving pretty excellent lacing in the form of webby collars linked by legs of lace all around. This kind of looks awesome, actually.
Smell (3.5): DEFINITELY on the malty side: toffee, toasted bread, caramel syrup, and some deep, brandied orange peel tones mostly cover up some tart citrus notes (grapefruit zest, a little limeade) and some juicy floral tones which are actually really nice once you pin it down. Not a bad array of aromas, just too far on the malty side for my taste.
Taste (3.75): More balanced and better integrated than the aroma, but the different pieces are largely the same. It’s got a solid malt body that shows toffee, rich bread like challah, some brown sugar icing, and a sturdy toasted bread character underneath that bridges the malt and hops well. And speaking of hops, the beer’s got some spiced orange peels, a little blood orange juice, some grapefruit peel citric bitterness, and again a floral juiciness that links the hop flavor back to the malt body again. And somehow, only a modest booze note—the ABV is surprisingly well-hidden. The hops are almost in perfect balance with the malt, which by DIPA standards these days makes it “malt-forward.” Though, the hops do become more prominent as the beer warms, and their bite and bitterness definitely come out more, too.
Mouthfeel (4.25): This beer’s got a full, somewhat syrupy body accompanied by a smooth, tingling carbonation that gets into but doesn’t fill every nook and cranny before foaming up and washing out. Between the hop load and the hidden alcohol, though, it manages to finish nicely dry. This really hits the mark for a DIPA in this range.
Overall (3.75): This is a really solid, albeit maltily full-bodied DIPA. That’s not to say that it tastes like a DIPA whose hops have fallen off—in fact, not all. The hops are still there, bright, and present. They’re just accompanied by a big, full malt body. The hops are actually nicely structured, fully bitter, and balanced in terms of ratio of flavor to bitterness (and to aroma, for that matter) . . . they’re just well-anchored and balanced by a full and layered malt body. It’s a very good DIPA, but don’t expect a crazy, flash-in-the-pan style hop bomb. Expect something that aims for balance and depth.
★ 2,693 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Straight pour from a pry-off 750ml/25.4oz bottle to a teku; this was bottled, oh, about a week ago. Freshhh.
Appearance (4.5): A good three fingers of pretty great-looking, light orange-tan tinted foam come off of the pour, forming a mixture of far, crackly bubbles and fine, whipped foam. The body is a very hazy, deep orange-amber color. Finally, it shows good retention in dying down very slowly and leaving pretty excellent lacing in the form of webby collars linked by legs of lace all around. This kind of looks awesome, actually.
Smell (3.5): DEFINITELY on the malty side: toffee, toasted bread, caramel syrup, and some deep, brandied orange peel tones mostly cover up some tart citrus notes (grapefruit zest, a little limeade) and some juicy floral tones which are actually really nice once you pin it down. Not a bad array of aromas, just too far on the malty side for my taste.
Taste (3.75): More balanced and better integrated than the aroma, but the different pieces are largely the same. It’s got a solid malt body that shows toffee, rich bread like challah, some brown sugar icing, and a sturdy toasted bread character underneath that bridges the malt and hops well. And speaking of hops, the beer’s got some spiced orange peels, a little blood orange juice, some grapefruit peel citric bitterness, and again a floral juiciness that links the hop flavor back to the malt body again. And somehow, only a modest booze note—the ABV is surprisingly well-hidden. The hops are almost in perfect balance with the malt, which by DIPA standards these days makes it “malt-forward.” Though, the hops do become more prominent as the beer warms, and their bite and bitterness definitely come out more, too.
Mouthfeel (4.25): This beer’s got a full, somewhat syrupy body accompanied by a smooth, tingling carbonation that gets into but doesn’t fill every nook and cranny before foaming up and washing out. Between the hop load and the hidden alcohol, though, it manages to finish nicely dry. This really hits the mark for a DIPA in this range.
Overall (3.75): This is a really solid, albeit maltily full-bodied DIPA. That’s not to say that it tastes like a DIPA whose hops have fallen off—in fact, not all. The hops are still there, bright, and present. They’re just accompanied by a big, full malt body. The hops are actually nicely structured, fully bitter, and balanced in terms of ratio of flavor to bitterness (and to aroma, for that matter) . . . they’re just well-anchored and balanced by a full and layered malt body. It’s a very good DIPA, but don’t expect a crazy, flash-in-the-pan style hop bomb. Expect something that aims for balance and depth.
★ 2,693 characters
4.42/5 rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap at Kickbacks in Jax. Poured into a snifter. Large off-white head, high retention. Soapy lacing, then some clear, oily, slick lacing. Aroma includes lemon, grapefruit and some fresh mowed grass. Taste has a nice malt sweetness in the background but mainly includes citrusy lemon, lemon peel, pine and slight alcohol. Mouthfeel actually is thicker than expected and that I remember in the past, really lingering on and tingling the tongue for a hot minute. Unique and delicious.
★ 483 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap at Kickbacks in Jax. Poured into a snifter. Large off-white head, high retention. Soapy lacing, then some clear, oily, slick lacing. Aroma includes lemon, grapefruit and some fresh mowed grass. Taste has a nice malt sweetness in the background but mainly includes citrusy lemon, lemon peel, pine and slight alcohol. Mouthfeel actually is thicker than expected and that I remember in the past, really lingering on and tingling the tongue for a hot minute. Unique and delicious.
★ 483 characters
4.12/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
glad i got a chance to try all of these on my florida trip back in april. served into a pint glass.
golden amber in color with a nice head of white that was about two inches at first but then slowly settled down into a rich lacing that coated the sides of the glass. Such a sweet, sharp citrus aroma coming off of this one, simply amazing. Like pineapple and grapefruit juice mixed in a glass and hit with a shot of orange, it was simply amazing. First sip sucked the moisture from my palate. Lip smacking good. Sharp, biting citrus flavor, pineapple and grapefruit rule the day here as the richness and juiceness is simply overwhelming. Each sip seemed to get sharper, crisper then the one before.
★ 699 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
glad i got a chance to try all of these on my florida trip back in april. served into a pint glass.
golden amber in color with a nice head of white that was about two inches at first but then slowly settled down into a rich lacing that coated the sides of the glass. Such a sweet, sharp citrus aroma coming off of this one, simply amazing. Like pineapple and grapefruit juice mixed in a glass and hit with a shot of orange, it was simply amazing. First sip sucked the moisture from my palate. Lip smacking good. Sharp, biting citrus flavor, pineapple and grapefruit rule the day here as the richness and juiceness is simply overwhelming. Each sip seemed to get sharper, crisper then the one before.
★ 699 characters
4.3/5 rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap at Stubbies, beer is orange and hazy with a thin white head of small bubbles that leaves some lacing on the glass. Served a little too cold perhaps but so far so good.
The aroma has a nice hop chewiness with great aromatic pininess with some fruit / citrus (amarillo aroma) and lots of it, there is some malt that sneaks through but appropriate amounts, smells good.
I think they really nailed the bitterness of this beer well. It has this nice chewiness to the whole thing. Great body, mildly sweet, very bitter, the hops are the star here. It reminds me mildly of Pliny (somewhat). Not quite as good in my opinion but it is a stellar IPA all around. I'd have it again for sure.
★ 688 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap at Stubbies, beer is orange and hazy with a thin white head of small bubbles that leaves some lacing on the glass. Served a little too cold perhaps but so far so good.
The aroma has a nice hop chewiness with great aromatic pininess with some fruit / citrus (amarillo aroma) and lots of it, there is some malt that sneaks through but appropriate amounts, smells good.
I think they really nailed the bitterness of this beer well. It has this nice chewiness to the whole thing. Great body, mildly sweet, very bitter, the hops are the star here. It reminds me mildly of Pliny (somewhat). Not quite as good in my opinion but it is a stellar IPA all around. I'd have it again for sure.
★ 688 characters
3.4/5 rDev -13%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
On-tap at the tasting room. Hazy orange with close to no head. Smell: caramel, orange, a little tropical fruit sweetness. Taste: sweet caramel, candied citrus, a bit leafy. A little pineapple-esque. Toffee again as it starts to dry out slightly at the end of the sip. It's quite sweet which balances out the intended mega-ibus. Feel is on the syrupy side of things. Too balanced (sweet) for me, but worth a try.
★ 411 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
On-tap at the tasting room. Hazy orange with close to no head. Smell: caramel, orange, a little tropical fruit sweetness. Taste: sweet caramel, candied citrus, a bit leafy. A little pineapple-esque. Toffee again as it starts to dry out slightly at the end of the sip. It's quite sweet which balances out the intended mega-ibus. Feel is on the syrupy side of things. Too balanced (sweet) for me, but worth a try.
★ 411 characters
3.3/5 rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On-tap at the Hunaphu release... Pours a murky dark gold. The head off white rises a couple fingers, gone quickly, ok lace... The aroma is caramel malt with citrus, alcohol, and some hops on the finish. Ok... The taste is a little too strong with too much alcohol and just a little blah, not very flavorful. Alcohol with generic hops.
Not a big fan of this, nothing new.
★ 372 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On-tap at the Hunaphu release... Pours a murky dark gold. The head off white rises a couple fingers, gone quickly, ok lace... The aroma is caramel malt with citrus, alcohol, and some hops on the finish. Ok... The taste is a little too strong with too much alcohol and just a little blah, not very flavorful. Alcohol with generic hops.
Not a big fan of this, nothing new.
★ 372 characters
3.83/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
notes from phone
A- Hazy golden body with an airy white head
S- Grassy hops, not a whole lot else...
T- Grassy/hay hops up front, some sweet malts in the middle to balance and a faint bitterness finishes
M- Medium-bodied, good level of carbonation, crisp finish
D- Solid beer and a local so I'm sure that tempers me a bit so I will certainly return!
★ 354 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
notes from phone
A- Hazy golden body with an airy white head
S- Grassy hops, not a whole lot else...
T- Grassy/hay hops up front, some sweet malts in the middle to balance and a faint bitterness finishes
M- Medium-bodied, good level of carbonation, crisp finish
D- Solid beer and a local so I'm sure that tempers me a bit so I will certainly return!
★ 354 characters
4.32/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this homecoming weekend in Gainesville @ Stubbie's. Beautiful deep golden, hazy, nice foamy white head. Big floral notes with some grassy, earthy tones. The flavor it bitter throughout. Nice sweet malts hidden in there, probably some Maris Otter pale malt used from what it tastes like. There is a bit of astringency from all the hops used. The alcohol warms you quickly so it probably is not one you want to sit and drink all night. Body is filling and carbonation is mild.
★ 478 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this homecoming weekend in Gainesville @ Stubbie's. Beautiful deep golden, hazy, nice foamy white head. Big floral notes with some grassy, earthy tones. The flavor it bitter throughout. Nice sweet malts hidden in there, probably some Maris Otter pale malt used from what it tastes like. There is a bit of astringency from all the hops used. The alcohol warms you quickly so it probably is not one you want to sit and drink all night. Body is filling and carbonation is mild.
★ 478 characters
4.15/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
appearance: golden with a solid head retention
smell: very bold and assertive hop presence. pine and citrus
taste: nicely balanced DIPA
mouthfeel: medium bodied to full bodied DIPA,
drinkability: I tried this at the kickbacks Swamphead dinner among many others. This brewery in new and going in the right direction. Solid beer from a solid brewery. I would love to have this again.
★ 386 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
appearance: golden with a solid head retention
smell: very bold and assertive hop presence. pine and citrus
taste: nicely balanced DIPA
mouthfeel: medium bodied to full bodied DIPA,
drinkability: I tried this at the kickbacks Swamphead dinner among many others. This brewery in new and going in the right direction. Solid beer from a solid brewery. I would love to have this again.
★ 386 characters
4.12/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Arrives with a clear amber color and a decent head that leaves a bit of lace behind
Smell: Pine and pith and balanced out by caramel elements
Taste: The caramel flavors appear first, followed by the piney bitterness that balances out mid-palate; after the swallow, the malty flavors surge forward though there is a lingering hoppy bitterness
Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate carbonation
Drinkability: This beer fits into the balanced DIPA category; while hops abound, there is a lot of malty presence from start to finish
★ 541 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Arrives with a clear amber color and a decent head that leaves a bit of lace behind
Smell: Pine and pith and balanced out by caramel elements
Taste: The caramel flavors appear first, followed by the piney bitterness that balances out mid-palate; after the swallow, the malty flavors surge forward though there is a lingering hoppy bitterness
Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate carbonation
Drinkability: This beer fits into the balanced DIPA category; while hops abound, there is a lot of malty presence from start to finish
★ 541 characters
3.83/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Served on tap @ Kickbacks
Appearance was golden copper with skinny head.
Mild aromas of hop citrus and a hint of pine.
Tastes as it smells on a solid malt/caramel backbone.
Mouthfeel was medium-full for an IPA, appropraitte carbonation.
Drinkable IPA for sure, well hidden abv, but FYI... the whiskey barrel aged version is top notch!
Additional info;
I ttended a Swamphead Beer dinner at Kickbacks here in Jacksonville Florida 12/13/2010. The lineup overall impressed me, brews were appropriatte to style and well done across the board. I most notably enjoyed the Hoe Hoe Hoe Wit, Tupelo Cream Ale, Stumpknocker APA, and 10-10-10 Whiskey Barrel Aged as standouts for the evening. Overall a very talented brewery across the entire lineup. I had chance to meet Luke the owner who was a great guy, and Craig the brewer who was passionate and open to share his processes. Both were knowlegdable and I am very excited about this new Florida Brewery.
Here is are most of the Swamphead brews that were offered at the dinner;
Hoe Hoe Hoe Winter Seasonal - a Belgian style specialty ale with cranberries, ginger and orange blossom honey
Wild Night Tupelo Honey Cream Ale
Cottonmouth Belgian Style Wheatbier
Stumpknocker American Pale Ale
Big Nose IPA
Saison du Swamp - Florida Style Saison with rye
10-10-10 Imperial IPA
10-10-10 Imperial IPA aged in Palm Ridge Whiskey barrels
Midnight Oil Oatmeal Stout with locally roasted organic fair trade coffee
Alderwood Smoked Porter
Chipotle Smoked Porter
Stumpknocker infused with Chipotle peppers
Catherine's Inspiration - Russian Imperial Stout
Catherine's Passion - Russian Imperial Stout infused with organic cocoa nibs and Midnight Oil coffee
★ 1,686 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Served on tap @ Kickbacks
Appearance was golden copper with skinny head.
Mild aromas of hop citrus and a hint of pine.
Tastes as it smells on a solid malt/caramel backbone.
Mouthfeel was medium-full for an IPA, appropraitte carbonation.
Drinkable IPA for sure, well hidden abv, but FYI... the whiskey barrel aged version is top notch!
Additional info;
I ttended a Swamphead Beer dinner at Kickbacks here in Jacksonville Florida 12/13/2010. The lineup overall impressed me, brews were appropriatte to style and well done across the board. I most notably enjoyed the Hoe Hoe Hoe Wit, Tupelo Cream Ale, Stumpknocker APA, and 10-10-10 Whiskey Barrel Aged as standouts for the evening. Overall a very talented brewery across the entire lineup. I had chance to meet Luke the owner who was a great guy, and Craig the brewer who was passionate and open to share his processes. Both were knowlegdable and I am very excited about this new Florida Brewery.
Here is are most of the Swamphead brews that were offered at the dinner;
Hoe Hoe Hoe Winter Seasonal - a Belgian style specialty ale with cranberries, ginger and orange blossom honey
Wild Night Tupelo Honey Cream Ale
Cottonmouth Belgian Style Wheatbier
Stumpknocker American Pale Ale
Big Nose IPA
Saison du Swamp - Florida Style Saison with rye
10-10-10 Imperial IPA
10-10-10 Imperial IPA aged in Palm Ridge Whiskey barrels
Midnight Oil Oatmeal Stout with locally roasted organic fair trade coffee
Alderwood Smoked Porter
Chipotle Smoked Porter
Stumpknocker infused with Chipotle peppers
Catherine's Inspiration - Russian Imperial Stout
Catherine's Passion - Russian Imperial Stout infused with organic cocoa nibs and Midnight Oil coffee
★ 1,686 characters
4.25/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured on tap in a DFH snifter. Of course we got this at the House of beer in Orlando. Nice bright but darker orange color (when I say bright i mean not cloudy) I dug my nose into this guy with full anticepation of greatness. I was right. It was a man aroma therapy. Hops all over the place with some banging citrus only found in Florida beer. The taste hit you like a hopslam, but with a FLorida twist.I quickly dove back in for another sip. 10% will knock you on your "you know what" so having a line of them is not the best idea, but the drinkability is superb, Thumbs up Gville.
★ 582 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured on tap in a DFH snifter. Of course we got this at the House of beer in Orlando. Nice bright but darker orange color (when I say bright i mean not cloudy) I dug my nose into this guy with full anticepation of greatness. I was right. It was a man aroma therapy. Hops all over the place with some banging citrus only found in Florida beer. The taste hit you like a hopslam, but with a FLorida twist.I quickly dove back in for another sip. 10% will knock you on your "you know what" so having a line of them is not the best idea, but the drinkability is superb, Thumbs up Gville.
★ 582 characters
4.03/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had two different version of this back to back. One version was the batch that is currently out and about and the other was the most recent batch which has been in the bright tank for 4-5 days. I combined the scores I would have given to each for the rating on here.
Both beers poured identically, nice copper color with a finger and a half of white head. Nice lacing down the glass.
The released version had a nice piney aroma with some citrus rind while the really fresh, green version smelled like a hop cone. It was awesome.
The released version tasted similar to it's aroma, lots of nice bitterness coming through with pine and rind. The green version was a little grassy and tasted like a hop tea. The bitterness was a little more subdued but the hop flavor was like nothing I've ever had before.
Both beers had a medium body with the beer from the bright tank being slightly lower in carbonation (for obvious reasons.) Both had a nice feel to them.
I finished both samples faster than I would like to admit which makes me thing the drinkability is pretty good but the slight alcohol heat keeps the score in check.
★ 1,125 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had two different version of this back to back. One version was the batch that is currently out and about and the other was the most recent batch which has been in the bright tank for 4-5 days. I combined the scores I would have given to each for the rating on here.
Both beers poured identically, nice copper color with a finger and a half of white head. Nice lacing down the glass.
The released version had a nice piney aroma with some citrus rind while the really fresh, green version smelled like a hop cone. It was awesome.
The released version tasted similar to it's aroma, lots of nice bitterness coming through with pine and rind. The green version was a little grassy and tasted like a hop tea. The bitterness was a little more subdued but the hop flavor was like nothing I've ever had before.
Both beers had a medium body with the beer from the bright tank being slightly lower in carbonation (for obvious reasons.) Both had a nice feel to them.
I finished both samples faster than I would like to admit which makes me thing the drinkability is pretty good but the slight alcohol heat keeps the score in check.
★ 1,125 characters
3.3/5 rDev -15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Guest tap at Cigar City. Poured into a standard pint glass.
A- Pours golden orange in color. A fingers worth of off whit head. Retention was moderate with a decent amount of lacing.
A- Grapefruit, honey, hops, and a big malty presence.
T- Good at first. A lot of pineapple and grapefruit. The hops aren't very pronounced and the malts seem to run them over. What kills it for me is the weird alcohol taste. It almost tastes like a rubbing alcohol. Something is off and not in a good way.
m- Medium bodied, with a good level of carbonation. The finish has more of the rubbing alcohol aftertaste in it though.
D- Just ok for me. If the alcohol flavor didnt kill it I would have rated this much higher overall. I love tasting the booze in my brews, just not the alcohol of the rubbing variety.
★ 795 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Guest tap at Cigar City. Poured into a standard pint glass.
A- Pours golden orange in color. A fingers worth of off whit head. Retention was moderate with a decent amount of lacing.
A- Grapefruit, honey, hops, and a big malty presence.
T- Good at first. A lot of pineapple and grapefruit. The hops aren't very pronounced and the malts seem to run them over. What kills it for me is the weird alcohol taste. It almost tastes like a rubbing alcohol. Something is off and not in a good way.
m- Medium bodied, with a good level of carbonation. The finish has more of the rubbing alcohol aftertaste in it though.
D- Just ok for me. If the alcohol flavor didnt kill it I would have rated this much higher overall. I love tasting the booze in my brews, just not the alcohol of the rubbing variety.
★ 795 characters
4.45/5 rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On-tap at the brewery
A- Pinkish-orange
S- Hoppy. Semi citrus with sweet notes
T- Lots of Grapefruit and alcohol taste without overly bitter stings.
M- Rich and smooth, a little biiter but not overdone.
D- Big body and easy to drink. Just as good in the bottle.
★ 262 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On-tap at the brewery
A- Pinkish-orange
S- Hoppy. Semi citrus with sweet notes
T- Lots of Grapefruit and alcohol taste without overly bitter stings.
M- Rich and smooth, a little biiter but not overdone.
D- Big body and easy to drink. Just as good in the bottle.
★ 262 characters
4.2/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a cloudy orange with an off white head. The head falls to a very minimal one or almost none. Thinnest of lace.
Floral hop nose with slight malt.
Nice bold hop taste with decent malt background. Mild sweetness with pleasant hop bitterness in the finish.
Medium bodied in the mouth. Slick and a bit chewy, nice.
Really like this. Well done Gainesville.
★ 360 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a cloudy orange with an off white head. The head falls to a very minimal one or almost none. Thinnest of lace.
Floral hop nose with slight malt.
Nice bold hop taste with decent malt background. Mild sweetness with pleasant hop bitterness in the finish.
Medium bodied in the mouth. Slick and a bit chewy, nice.
Really like this. Well done Gainesville.
★ 360 characters
2.81/5 rDev -28.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
A - It pours a clear golden hue, straw-like, with a white wispy head, decent lace.
S - The smell is almost all grapefruit rind. Some pale malt sweetness, but mostly overripe grapefruit. It is overkill, not well-balanced, not desirable in my [potentially controversial] opinion.
T - The taste is picking up where the nose left off. The flavor is one-dimensional: grapefruit rind. This is a very poor effort in comparison to their other IPA, 'Big Nose'.
M - Like a normal IPA (sorry to be snide, but it isn't worth superlative.)
D - The Swamp Head Brewery has an IPA called 'Big Nose', which is fantastic. This one is way off.
★ 628 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
A - It pours a clear golden hue, straw-like, with a white wispy head, decent lace.
S - The smell is almost all grapefruit rind. Some pale malt sweetness, but mostly overripe grapefruit. It is overkill, not well-balanced, not desirable in my [potentially controversial] opinion.
T - The taste is picking up where the nose left off. The flavor is one-dimensional: grapefruit rind. This is a very poor effort in comparison to their other IPA, 'Big Nose'.
M - Like a normal IPA (sorry to be snide, but it isn't worth superlative.)
D - The Swamp Head Brewery has an IPA called 'Big Nose', which is fantastic. This one is way off.
★ 628 characters
4.2/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - A hazy, golden-orange body, topped with a small head of off-white foam. Good retention and nice, thick lace.
S - An aroma of sweet, fruity hops with lots of pineapple and grapefruit. A light tobacco note with some toasted malt and a hint of caramel.
T - Sweet, bready malt up front with some toast and toffee notes. Strong hops appear in the middle with notes of pungent pine, mango, and grapefruit. Finishes with lots of bready malt and light toffee as well as strong bitterness. Lingering toasty malt and hop bitterness that leaves a tobacco like impression on the palate.
M - Medium-thick body, moderately low carbonation, and a sweet finish.
D - This is a very nice DIPA. The hop character is pungent with hefty bitterness, but there is more than enough malt to balance it out. This combination of rich malt and hop character creates a nice level of complexity that lingers and evolves through the finish. This reminds me in many ways of Dogfish Head 90 min IPA. Definitely worth trying; after this beer I am looking forward to seeing what SwampHead can do in the future.
★ 1,083 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - A hazy, golden-orange body, topped with a small head of off-white foam. Good retention and nice, thick lace.
S - An aroma of sweet, fruity hops with lots of pineapple and grapefruit. A light tobacco note with some toasted malt and a hint of caramel.
T - Sweet, bready malt up front with some toast and toffee notes. Strong hops appear in the middle with notes of pungent pine, mango, and grapefruit. Finishes with lots of bready malt and light toffee as well as strong bitterness. Lingering toasty malt and hop bitterness that leaves a tobacco like impression on the palate.
M - Medium-thick body, moderately low carbonation, and a sweet finish.
D - This is a very nice DIPA. The hop character is pungent with hefty bitterness, but there is more than enough malt to balance it out. This combination of rich malt and hop character creates a nice level of complexity that lingers and evolves through the finish. This reminds me in many ways of Dogfish Head 90 min IPA. Definitely worth trying; after this beer I am looking forward to seeing what SwampHead can do in the future.
★ 1,083 characters
4.12/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On Tap at Brewer's Ball.
A: Pours a nice golden hue with a tall off white head. Okay retention with some nice lace.
S: Aromas of sweet malt, bread, citrus and herbal hops.
T: Caramel, and sweet bready malts in the flavor as well. Nice hop profile. Lots of citrus with mild pine. The finish is herbal, green, and bitter. I liked it.
M: On the fuller side of medium, crisp, bright.
D: Good I had several samples.
★ 425 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On Tap at Brewer's Ball.
A: Pours a nice golden hue with a tall off white head. Okay retention with some nice lace.
S: Aromas of sweet malt, bread, citrus and herbal hops.
T: Caramel, and sweet bready malts in the flavor as well. Nice hop profile. Lots of citrus with mild pine. The finish is herbal, green, and bitter. I liked it.
M: On the fuller side of medium, crisp, bright.
D: Good I had several samples.
★ 425 characters
10-10-10 IPA from Swamp Head Brewery
3.91
out of 5
based on 97 ratings.
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance – A classic DIPA with a cloudy but intense orange body and an easy off-white head.
Smell – This was a complete fail for the brewers in an otherwise excellent offering. I could not find any aromatic hops and the malts were absent.
Taste – The ale redeemed itself here. The risky inclusion of Maris Otters paid off here as the balance was impeccable even amongst the roar of Triple Cs. Nailed it.
Mouthfeel – The bitterness will be too much for most and this beer is huge, nearly full-bodied.
Drinkability – The strong bitterness made this one a bit clumsy but otherwise a good effort.
★ 608 characters