Old 21 Imperial IPA | The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works
Brewed by:
The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works
Ohio, United States | website
Style: American Double / Imperial IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.50%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by aracauna on 06-06-2004
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 144 | Ratings: 440
3.67/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
This bottle is stamped but I have no idea how to read the long line of numbers.
A - Pours a bright medium, clear copper gold color with a generous one fingered head with little to no carbonation.
S - Faded apricot, pine, citrus, and passion fruit. Overall, the nose is really lacking.
T - Faded apricot resin, passion fruit, citrus, earthy caramel malt buried underneath and finishes with a piney resin bitter finish.
M - Heavy medium body, velvety smooth with almost lack of carbonation on the palate.
O - Some alcohol effervescence but for 9.5% the majority of it is well hidden, very hop forward but still comes off as balanced. Good but doesn't stand out, I love D-IPA's but prefer White Rajah to this.
★ 712 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
This bottle is stamped but I have no idea how to read the long line of numbers.
A - Pours a bright medium, clear copper gold color with a generous one fingered head with little to no carbonation.
S - Faded apricot, pine, citrus, and passion fruit. Overall, the nose is really lacking.
T - Faded apricot resin, passion fruit, citrus, earthy caramel malt buried underneath and finishes with a piney resin bitter finish.
M - Heavy medium body, velvety smooth with almost lack of carbonation on the palate.
O - Some alcohol effervescence but for 9.5% the majority of it is well hidden, very hop forward but still comes off as balanced. Good but doesn't stand out, I love D-IPA's but prefer White Rajah to this.
★ 712 characters
4.14/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
A - Light orange/copper. My aggressive out lead to over s finger of town head, fantastic lacing and retention.
S - Orange, resinous citrus hops, sweet, caramel under tones, smells fantastic. Nice malty sweetness a little light
T - citrusy with some floral notes, incredibly well balanced and rather sweet. Almost a little too mild for an oils at 9% but the balance and refreshingness is impressive. good flavor, well rounded and not overly bitter but a nice citrus resin flavor lingers.
M - shockingly light and refreshing. Perfect carbonation.
O - light refreshing bag heavy fantastic drinkability with s nice little choppy kick at the finish. I approve
★ 658 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
A - Light orange/copper. My aggressive out lead to over s finger of town head, fantastic lacing and retention.
S - Orange, resinous citrus hops, sweet, caramel under tones, smells fantastic. Nice malty sweetness a little light
T - citrusy with some floral notes, incredibly well balanced and rather sweet. Almost a little too mild for an oils at 9% but the balance and refreshingness is impressive. good flavor, well rounded and not overly bitter but a nice citrus resin flavor lingers.
M - shockingly light and refreshing. Perfect carbonation.
O - light refreshing bag heavy fantastic drinkability with s nice little choppy kick at the finish. I approve
★ 658 characters
3.73/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A: A finger of head on a hazy copper brew.
S: A touch of tropics surrounded by sweet caramel malt. Orange juice and butterscotch immediately hit the nose. Pretty bready and malt forward for a DIPA
T: The hops are prevalent in the taste but nicely balanced with the malt. Sweet caramel and butterscotch at the tip of the tongue followed by orange and dry grapefruit. Earth characters dominate the middle. The finish starts out with a buttered biscuit that morphs into a citrus and a bitterness that hangs around.
M: Lighter bodied for a DIPA. a little warm in the end. surprisingly filling.
O: Pretty good stuff but nothing outstanding IMO. Very malt heavy for a double IPA. Definitely one everyone should try and at the price one i'll definitely pick up again. /86
★ 770 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A: A finger of head on a hazy copper brew.
S: A touch of tropics surrounded by sweet caramel malt. Orange juice and butterscotch immediately hit the nose. Pretty bready and malt forward for a DIPA
T: The hops are prevalent in the taste but nicely balanced with the malt. Sweet caramel and butterscotch at the tip of the tongue followed by orange and dry grapefruit. Earth characters dominate the middle. The finish starts out with a buttered biscuit that morphs into a citrus and a bitterness that hangs around.
M: Lighter bodied for a DIPA. a little warm in the end. surprisingly filling.
O: Pretty good stuff but nothing outstanding IMO. Very malt heavy for a double IPA. Definitely one everyone should try and at the price one i'll definitely pick up again. /86
★ 770 characters
2.82/5 rDev -27.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
12 fl oz bottle with typical label art and yellow branded pressure/pry-off cap received today from michaellcoates as part of a trade; thanks again, man! Served into a conical Samuel Smith's pint glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are above average; I've never had anything from this brewery before, but my trade partner implied it was good stuff by including it in his box. Self-identifies as an Imperial IPA, so that's what I'm reviewing it as. 9.0% ABV according to the label. 90 IBUs. Brewed with Simcoe hops. No obvious bottled on/best before date or julian code.
Served cold, straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.
A: Pours a 3 finger wide head of beige colour. Slight cream. Nice thickness. Good (5-6 minute) retention for the high ABV. No bubble show.
Body colour is a somewhat vibrant clear copper. No yeast particles are visible.
Standard fare for the style, but overall appealing. No overt or obvious flaws. Looking forward to trying it. The head retention is a highlight.
Sm: Floral hops. Tropical fruit hops - I hate that in an IPA (mango, dirty pineapple, melon). Substantial caramalt. Maybe biscuit malt. No yeast or alcohol comes through. Limited hop bitterness. A moderately strong aroma. Not great for the style, but within conventions. I'm not real excited to try it now; the aroma isn't suited to my particular preferences.
T: Floral hops. Substantial malt in the body; caramalt, pale malts. The hop profile is quite simple overall; I don't get oily hops, citrusy notes, juicy notes, nectary character, etc. Just floral hops. Simple and timid. Balance is decent; the malts suit the hops, but both are underwhelming. No complexity or subtlety here. Likable and pleasant to drink, but of clearly limited quality.
Mf: Smooth and wet. Adequate carbonation. Okay thickness; maybe a bit overbearing for the lack of flavour. Decent presence on the palate. Suits the flavour profile in a general sense. Okay execution, but not unique or special.
Dr: A passable Imperial IPA that I wouldn't recommend to friends. I'll finish the glass with ease, but I wouldn't want another one. Drinkable but underwhelming. Not worth trading for by any means. Decent, but nothing to write home about. Hides its ABV decently.
C
★ 2,361 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
12 fl oz bottle with typical label art and yellow branded pressure/pry-off cap received today from michaellcoates as part of a trade; thanks again, man! Served into a conical Samuel Smith's pint glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are above average; I've never had anything from this brewery before, but my trade partner implied it was good stuff by including it in his box. Self-identifies as an Imperial IPA, so that's what I'm reviewing it as. 9.0% ABV according to the label. 90 IBUs. Brewed with Simcoe hops. No obvious bottled on/best before date or julian code.
Served cold, straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.
A: Pours a 3 finger wide head of beige colour. Slight cream. Nice thickness. Good (5-6 minute) retention for the high ABV. No bubble show.
Body colour is a somewhat vibrant clear copper. No yeast particles are visible.
Standard fare for the style, but overall appealing. No overt or obvious flaws. Looking forward to trying it. The head retention is a highlight.
Sm: Floral hops. Tropical fruit hops - I hate that in an IPA (mango, dirty pineapple, melon). Substantial caramalt. Maybe biscuit malt. No yeast or alcohol comes through. Limited hop bitterness. A moderately strong aroma. Not great for the style, but within conventions. I'm not real excited to try it now; the aroma isn't suited to my particular preferences.
T: Floral hops. Substantial malt in the body; caramalt, pale malts. The hop profile is quite simple overall; I don't get oily hops, citrusy notes, juicy notes, nectary character, etc. Just floral hops. Simple and timid. Balance is decent; the malts suit the hops, but both are underwhelming. No complexity or subtlety here. Likable and pleasant to drink, but of clearly limited quality.
Mf: Smooth and wet. Adequate carbonation. Okay thickness; maybe a bit overbearing for the lack of flavour. Decent presence on the palate. Suits the flavour profile in a general sense. Okay execution, but not unique or special.
Dr: A passable Imperial IPA that I wouldn't recommend to friends. I'll finish the glass with ease, but I wouldn't want another one. Drinkable but underwhelming. Not worth trading for by any means. Decent, but nothing to write home about. Hides its ABV decently.
C
★ 2,361 characters
3.87/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a light amber with a half finger of white head and a slight haze.
Smell is light sweet malt and tropical fruit, kind of weak smelling for a DIPA.
Taste is sweet orange, sweet malts, bittering pine, light tropical flavors
Mouthfeel is medium full with average carbonation
A good enough DIPA, no where near as good as White Rajah. But it will do. Has a lingering sweet bitterness in the finish that I have not decided on yet.
★ 433 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a light amber with a half finger of white head and a slight haze.
Smell is light sweet malt and tropical fruit, kind of weak smelling for a DIPA.
Taste is sweet orange, sweet malts, bittering pine, light tropical flavors
Mouthfeel is medium full with average carbonation
A good enough DIPA, no where near as good as White Rajah. But it will do. Has a lingering sweet bitterness in the finish that I have not decided on yet.
★ 433 characters
3.77/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12oz bottle into a snifter
no born on date
Thanks to BMart for sending this one my way!
A: Pours a somewhat hazy apricot orange with 1 fingers width of bright white colored head. Head dissipates down at a moderate rate and leaves a few small patches of lacing.
S: Aroma is sweet malts and sweet tropical fruits hops like apricot and pineapple. The malts are reminiscent of loads of butterscotch and some mild caramel. The hop notes seem faded, this one may be a touch old or maybe its just the hop profile, but there is very little resinous/piney/citrus/floral notes. There is a somewhat off aroma as well that I cant particular place. Not bad but could be better.
T: Hops immediately more prevalent on the tongue, with a biting piney bitterness from the first sip. I then get a good amount of citrus rind. Malt backbone is present but not to the degree that the nose implies, and certainly takes a back seat to the hops. I also dont get much of the tropical fruit notes in the taste. Bitterness is huge though, in a good way.
M/D: Full body, carbonation appropriate, ABV is very well masked, and drinkability is above average.
O: Overall, a nice DIPA. Aroma could use some improvement as the hop profile is muted and there is an off character, but the taste is loaded with hoppy bitterness and is quite good. Id drink this again if it were available to me, but I wouldnt consciously seek it out. Thanks again BMart for the extra!
★ 1,440 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12oz bottle into a snifter
no born on date
Thanks to BMart for sending this one my way!
A: Pours a somewhat hazy apricot orange with 1 fingers width of bright white colored head. Head dissipates down at a moderate rate and leaves a few small patches of lacing.
S: Aroma is sweet malts and sweet tropical fruits hops like apricot and pineapple. The malts are reminiscent of loads of butterscotch and some mild caramel. The hop notes seem faded, this one may be a touch old or maybe its just the hop profile, but there is very little resinous/piney/citrus/floral notes. There is a somewhat off aroma as well that I cant particular place. Not bad but could be better.
T: Hops immediately more prevalent on the tongue, with a biting piney bitterness from the first sip. I then get a good amount of citrus rind. Malt backbone is present but not to the degree that the nose implies, and certainly takes a back seat to the hops. I also dont get much of the tropical fruit notes in the taste. Bitterness is huge though, in a good way.
M/D: Full body, carbonation appropriate, ABV is very well masked, and drinkability is above average.
O: Overall, a nice DIPA. Aroma could use some improvement as the hop profile is muted and there is an off character, but the taste is loaded with hoppy bitterness and is quite good. Id drink this again if it were available to me, but I wouldnt consciously seek it out. Thanks again BMart for the extra!
★ 1,440 characters
4/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle courtesy of mgbickel pours a fairly clear gold color with a sticky white head. Good retention and lace.
Nose is honeyed malts with a touch of toffee and tropical/grassy hops. Fairly balanced DIPA with a strawberry preserve covered biscuit aspect I am fining intriguing.
Taste is pretty nice...there is plenty of malt, but the hops shine with nice flavoring additions - both old world herbal/grassy flavors as well as some American style tropical flavors. Bitterness is fairly tame and the alcohol is uber-smooth...would have never guessed 9.5%. Malts are biscuity with a slight hint of toast. This is a really tasty beer, I could drink a couple of these back to back...no problem.
★ 695 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle courtesy of mgbickel pours a fairly clear gold color with a sticky white head. Good retention and lace.
Nose is honeyed malts with a touch of toffee and tropical/grassy hops. Fairly balanced DIPA with a strawberry preserve covered biscuit aspect I am fining intriguing.
Taste is pretty nice...there is plenty of malt, but the hops shine with nice flavoring additions - both old world herbal/grassy flavors as well as some American style tropical flavors. Bitterness is fairly tame and the alcohol is uber-smooth...would have never guessed 9.5%. Malts are biscuity with a slight hint of toast. This is a really tasty beer, I could drink a couple of these back to back...no problem.
★ 695 characters
3.91/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Light orange/copper…a few bubbles on initial pouring, but they didn’t stick around…no real lasting head to speak of...(3.5/5)
Smell: Orange, citrus hops…sweet, caramel under tones…mouth watering, that’s for sure…classic IPA, hoppy all-around, with soft malt backing…(3.75/5)
Taste: Very citrusy, with some floral notes…it’s sweet when hoppy and the malt flavor is fluid and blends so well…it’s got great flavor, well rounded and not overly bitter…(4/5)
Mouthfeel: Light and fluffy initially, then settles into a floral hoppiness on the tongue…slightly bitter finish and aftertaste but nothing too extreme…malt does cover the middle of my tongue, good overall feel…(4/5)
Overall: I like this beer…it reminds me of the classic summertime IPA, citrus, sweet and hoppy all in one…I’m shocked to look at the bottle and read 9% ABV, there’s no telling…the flavor covers most to all the alcohol taste that so many stronger ales fail to do…this is a great brew to take to a party and share with folks who need some good beer education…(4/5)
★ 1,094 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Light orange/copper…a few bubbles on initial pouring, but they didn’t stick around…no real lasting head to speak of...(3.5/5)
Smell: Orange, citrus hops…sweet, caramel under tones…mouth watering, that’s for sure…classic IPA, hoppy all-around, with soft malt backing…(3.75/5)
Taste: Very citrusy, with some floral notes…it’s sweet when hoppy and the malt flavor is fluid and blends so well…it’s got great flavor, well rounded and not overly bitter…(4/5)
Mouthfeel: Light and fluffy initially, then settles into a floral hoppiness on the tongue…slightly bitter finish and aftertaste but nothing too extreme…malt does cover the middle of my tongue, good overall feel…(4/5)
Overall: I like this beer…it reminds me of the classic summertime IPA, citrus, sweet and hoppy all in one…I’m shocked to look at the bottle and read 9% ABV, there’s no telling…the flavor covers most to all the alcohol taste that so many stronger ales fail to do…this is a great brew to take to a party and share with folks who need some good beer education…(4/5)
★ 1,094 characters
3.7/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Half Acre tulip.
A- pours a hazy lemon color with a 2 finger white head. Small bubbles and trails of lacing remain on the glass.
S- honey, caramel, sweet citrus, slight grassy aroma.
T- very sweet caramel and honey, some brown sugar, lemon, oranges and pineapple with some citrus rind bitterness.
M- medium body and carbonation. Creamy, gritty, syrup and semi-dry finish.
O- not a bad dipa, but very sweet. Not sure the age on this, may be older and turned more Barleywine like? Would like to try again fresh just in case this bottle is old.
★ 580 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Half Acre tulip.
A- pours a hazy lemon color with a 2 finger white head. Small bubbles and trails of lacing remain on the glass.
S- honey, caramel, sweet citrus, slight grassy aroma.
T- very sweet caramel and honey, some brown sugar, lemon, oranges and pineapple with some citrus rind bitterness.
M- medium body and carbonation. Creamy, gritty, syrup and semi-dry finish.
O- not a bad dipa, but very sweet. Not sure the age on this, may be older and turned more Barleywine like? Would like to try again fresh just in case this bottle is old.
★ 580 characters
3.58/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a clear amber with a couple of inches of foam; the retention was stellar, with a few patches of lace sticking to the side of the glass
Smell: Smells more malty than hoppy, with a butterscotch character dominant; pith and pine, underneath
Taste: Very sweet, up front, with the butterscotch dominating the flavor through the middle, as well, though there is an assertive piney bitterness that builds; the hops finally win the tug of war, after the swallow, though there is a lingering sweetness on the tip of the tongue in the finish
Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation; some warmth in the gullet
Overall: Perhaps this bottle is old (though I just bought it in a highly rated Cleveland shop), but I was surprised at the understated hop presence; given how much I liked White Rajah, I was doubly disappointed that this beer failed to live up to that beer's example
★ 904 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a clear amber with a couple of inches of foam; the retention was stellar, with a few patches of lace sticking to the side of the glass
Smell: Smells more malty than hoppy, with a butterscotch character dominant; pith and pine, underneath
Taste: Very sweet, up front, with the butterscotch dominating the flavor through the middle, as well, though there is an assertive piney bitterness that builds; the hops finally win the tug of war, after the swallow, though there is a lingering sweetness on the tip of the tongue in the finish
Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation; some warmth in the gullet
Overall: Perhaps this bottle is old (though I just bought it in a highly rated Cleveland shop), but I was surprised at the understated hop presence; given how much I liked White Rajah, I was doubly disappointed that this beer failed to live up to that beer's example
★ 904 characters
4.17/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This poured out as a clear looking copper color, with a thin white head on top and just a touch of lacing on the glass. The smell was loaded with hop aromas ranging from pine to tropical fruits and citrus. The taste of the beer was quite nice I though, big malt backbone with a punishing amount of hops in the finish. The mouthfeel of the beer was slick and oily. Overall this beer was pretty intense. Not as balanced as the White Rajah but still not bad at all.
★ 462 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This poured out as a clear looking copper color, with a thin white head on top and just a touch of lacing on the glass. The smell was loaded with hop aromas ranging from pine to tropical fruits and citrus. The taste of the beer was quite nice I though, big malt backbone with a punishing amount of hops in the finish. The mouthfeel of the beer was slick and oily. Overall this beer was pretty intense. Not as balanced as the White Rajah but still not bad at all.
★ 462 characters
3.53/5 rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a small bottle with no freshness date into a New Belgium snifter. Slightly hazy light amber-gold with a thin head. Not much retention, but decent lacing. Get a quick whiff of fruit, followed by more resiny, pine-like notes with a little bit of sweet caramel behind it.
The beer has a medium body and a firm mouthfeel. A fair amount of malt sweetness up front giving it a nice biscuity taste. Hops come in and join the sweetness, bringing the flavor more towards apricot and marmalade. The hops are not as aggressive as I had hoped for. Finish is a bit sweet and doesn't give much of a lingering bitterness.
Overall this is not a bad beer, but definitely too sweet for my palate. I'm not sure how old this bottle is, but I probably won't buy this again. I like IPAs and IIPAs to be much more aggressively hopped than this.
★ 835 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a small bottle with no freshness date into a New Belgium snifter. Slightly hazy light amber-gold with a thin head. Not much retention, but decent lacing. Get a quick whiff of fruit, followed by more resiny, pine-like notes with a little bit of sweet caramel behind it.
The beer has a medium body and a firm mouthfeel. A fair amount of malt sweetness up front giving it a nice biscuity taste. Hops come in and join the sweetness, bringing the flavor more towards apricot and marmalade. The hops are not as aggressive as I had hoped for. Finish is a bit sweet and doesn't give much of a lingering bitterness.
Overall this is not a bad beer, but definitely too sweet for my palate. I'm not sure how old this bottle is, but I probably won't buy this again. I like IPAs and IIPAs to be much more aggressively hopped than this.
★ 835 characters
3.75/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
Big thanks to Miketd for sending me this beer. Poured into my Duvel tulip.
A - Pours a nice crystal clear copper/orange hue with an almost one finger white head that fades to leave a thin white blanket and thin side lacing.
S - Rather dankish. Not boozey though. Sigh; one gets spoiled with the likes of Heady Topper and hill Farmstead and the knee buckling aromas those bring to the table. This has some light malt sweetness, some biscuit, light pine, some almost faded citrus. Clearly, at one point this had pineapple aromas but this is quite faded now.
T - Taste is...dang. Far too sweet for my liking. Lots of honey like sweetness, some light booze, hop oil, slight pine, old pineapple and citrus. The sweetness though, that malty sweetness...gah!
M - Mouthfeel is pretty dark good for a 9.5% DIPA. While I dont know if one can gulp this back its still damn impressive, even with how sweet this is coming off now!
O - Overall its good, was probably really good at one point. The malty sweetness though I just really dont care for in a DIPA.
★ 1,050 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
Big thanks to Miketd for sending me this beer. Poured into my Duvel tulip.
A - Pours a nice crystal clear copper/orange hue with an almost one finger white head that fades to leave a thin white blanket and thin side lacing.
S - Rather dankish. Not boozey though. Sigh; one gets spoiled with the likes of Heady Topper and hill Farmstead and the knee buckling aromas those bring to the table. This has some light malt sweetness, some biscuit, light pine, some almost faded citrus. Clearly, at one point this had pineapple aromas but this is quite faded now.
T - Taste is...dang. Far too sweet for my liking. Lots of honey like sweetness, some light booze, hop oil, slight pine, old pineapple and citrus. The sweetness though, that malty sweetness...gah!
M - Mouthfeel is pretty dark good for a 9.5% DIPA. While I dont know if one can gulp this back its still damn impressive, even with how sweet this is coming off now!
O - Overall its good, was probably really good at one point. The malty sweetness though I just really dont care for in a DIPA.
★ 1,050 characters
4.13/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
The beer looks nice. Smells nice (citrus toned). Nice flavor tone. Very hoppy with salty and pine resin flavor characteristics. The delivery of flavor is consistent and long lasting on this one, and I like it. I feel like this an "easier drinking" dipa. Maybe it's easier drinking because it just stays consistent and there is no pretense about trying to be all showy. Anyways. I like this one. My second from Brew Kettle, and another good one. If you see it, definitely try it out.
★ 482 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
The beer looks nice. Smells nice (citrus toned). Nice flavor tone. Very hoppy with salty and pine resin flavor characteristics. The delivery of flavor is consistent and long lasting on this one, and I like it. I feel like this an "easier drinking" dipa. Maybe it's easier drinking because it just stays consistent and there is no pretense about trying to be all showy. Anyways. I like this one. My second from Brew Kettle, and another good one. If you see it, definitely try it out.
★ 482 characters
4.42/5 rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
LOOK: Bright golden color with a fine clarity. Small but well retaining froth leaves snake eye bubbles all around the top of the snifter. Leaves rings of lace on the glass.
SMELL: Pine, spruce, herbs, and all types lush forest aromas of hop. Pineapple juice, alcohol, and a huge malt body shine through with the suggestions of ale yeast.
TASTE: Hoppy pine notes upfront, along with grapefruit and fresh orange peel sharpness. Has a bite with a solid bitterness right there but then gives way to citrus and fruitcake notes. There are suggestions of tropical fruit as well, pineapple,mango and papaya. Sweet big pale malt backing and ale yeast fruitiness and big hops. Brewed in a West Coast fashion I might say.
FEEL: Surprisingly light on the palate, medium bodied with a good solid medium level of carbonation. A touch drying.
OVERALL: A very nice double IPA from a regional but very well respected brewery. After brewing the stellar White Raja, a world class IPA, this has significantly greater strength but is not less tasty.
★ 1,032 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
LOOK: Bright golden color with a fine clarity. Small but well retaining froth leaves snake eye bubbles all around the top of the snifter. Leaves rings of lace on the glass.
SMELL: Pine, spruce, herbs, and all types lush forest aromas of hop. Pineapple juice, alcohol, and a huge malt body shine through with the suggestions of ale yeast.
TASTE: Hoppy pine notes upfront, along with grapefruit and fresh orange peel sharpness. Has a bite with a solid bitterness right there but then gives way to citrus and fruitcake notes. There are suggestions of tropical fruit as well, pineapple,mango and papaya. Sweet big pale malt backing and ale yeast fruitiness and big hops. Brewed in a West Coast fashion I might say.
FEEL: Surprisingly light on the palate, medium bodied with a good solid medium level of carbonation. A touch drying.
OVERALL: A very nice double IPA from a regional but very well respected brewery. After brewing the stellar White Raja, a world class IPA, this has significantly greater strength but is not less tasty.
★ 1,032 characters
4.22/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Aroma: Fresh cut melon, light lemon zest notes, hints of stone fruit all up front in the aroma. No alcohol heat and clean fermentation character.
Appearance: Clear amber pour with a thick and sudsy off white head.
Flavor: Pithy orange rind bitterness up front. Light crackery malt character is quickly subdued by orange juice and piney hop character. Finish is clean and dry.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, slightly oily, medium-high carbonation. No alcohol heat.
Overall impression: A nice clean Imperial IPA. Brew Kettle is quickly becoming one of my favorite breweries. They have a solid line-up and continue to impress. Well done.
★ 633 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Aroma: Fresh cut melon, light lemon zest notes, hints of stone fruit all up front in the aroma. No alcohol heat and clean fermentation character.
Appearance: Clear amber pour with a thick and sudsy off white head.
Flavor: Pithy orange rind bitterness up front. Light crackery malt character is quickly subdued by orange juice and piney hop character. Finish is clean and dry.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, slightly oily, medium-high carbonation. No alcohol heat.
Overall impression: A nice clean Imperial IPA. Brew Kettle is quickly becoming one of my favorite breweries. They have a solid line-up and continue to impress. Well done.
★ 633 characters
3.81/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear deep golden color with hints of copper and a one finery ivory head that dissipates into a layer of foam, leaving little lacing.
Orange citrus hop and caramel bready malt begin the aroma, leading to citrus pith bitterness and a touch of pine.
Flavor is huge citrus malt initially, grapefruit, mouthwatering, then turning decidedly bitter, with a hit of spruce and resin at the finish. There's a background grassy hop profile that is also oniony. Malt ties the hop flavor together, providing a hint of caramel sweetness.
Body is moderately heavy, with moderate carbonation and slight alcohol warmth. There's a hint of astringency.
Overall, initially a citrus hop flavor dominated, but bitterness quickly took over and controlled the profile. Booze was somewhat repressed, given the abv. Hops could've been more complex.
★ 835 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear deep golden color with hints of copper and a one finery ivory head that dissipates into a layer of foam, leaving little lacing.
Orange citrus hop and caramel bready malt begin the aroma, leading to citrus pith bitterness and a touch of pine.
Flavor is huge citrus malt initially, grapefruit, mouthwatering, then turning decidedly bitter, with a hit of spruce and resin at the finish. There's a background grassy hop profile that is also oniony. Malt ties the hop flavor together, providing a hint of caramel sweetness.
Body is moderately heavy, with moderate carbonation and slight alcohol warmth. There's a hint of astringency.
Overall, initially a citrus hop flavor dominated, but bitterness quickly took over and controlled the profile. Booze was somewhat repressed, given the abv. Hops could've been more complex.
★ 835 characters
3.45/5 rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Poured from the bottle into a Chimay goblet.
Appearance: Pours a clear amber with a layer of off white head that goes away almost completely.
Smell: Sweet bready malt up front along with a citrus peel bitterness.
Taste: The bitterness dominates, unlike the smell. There is plenty of sweet malt in the background, but the citrus peel hop bitterness wins. The finish is quite bitter.
Mouthfeel: The body is a syrupy medium with very mild carbonation and a slightly dry finish.
Overall: Not overly impressed with this one. It's not a bad beer, but not particularly interesting either.
★ 586 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Poured from the bottle into a Chimay goblet.
Appearance: Pours a clear amber with a layer of off white head that goes away almost completely.
Smell: Sweet bready malt up front along with a citrus peel bitterness.
Taste: The bitterness dominates, unlike the smell. There is plenty of sweet malt in the background, but the citrus peel hop bitterness wins. The finish is quite bitter.
Mouthfeel: The body is a syrupy medium with very mild carbonation and a slightly dry finish.
Overall: Not overly impressed with this one. It's not a bad beer, but not particularly interesting either.
★ 586 characters
3.96/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Served from the bottle into a tulip glass
A- Poured a remarkable clear dark golden orange color, no visible carbonation. Nice two and a half finger soapy head with big bubbles that leaves some droppy lace
S- Piney, earthy, resinous, floral, peach, and tropical notes. A lot going on, but not a very strong aroma
T- Big peach and tropical notes with some resin and earthy notes. Very big bitterness and lots of sweetness
M- Full bodied, the driest beer I have ever had, big warming sensation and alcohol presence. This beer has a big kick to it.
O- This is a big bitter and sweet DIPA. Drinks like a west coast DIPA
★ 620 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Served from the bottle into a tulip glass
A- Poured a remarkable clear dark golden orange color, no visible carbonation. Nice two and a half finger soapy head with big bubbles that leaves some droppy lace
S- Piney, earthy, resinous, floral, peach, and tropical notes. A lot going on, but not a very strong aroma
T- Big peach and tropical notes with some resin and earthy notes. Very big bitterness and lots of sweetness
M- Full bodied, the driest beer I have ever had, big warming sensation and alcohol presence. This beer has a big kick to it.
O- This is a big bitter and sweet DIPA. Drinks like a west coast DIPA
★ 620 characters
3.58/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
big thanks to TheBeerologist for sending this one my way. bottle label seems to have been updated since the current photo displayed, but this is defitely old 21...also says Simcoe TBK on the label. poured into an urthel tulip.
a - brew poured a crisp transparent orange witha generous offwhite classic frothy ipa head. some visible carbonation could be seen and the foamy head hung around looking chunky and creamy. lacing was fairly sticky.
s - nice citric hops could be smelled upon pouring the beer. closer inspection revealed some earthy graininess as well. lots of malt backbone.
t - much like the nose...lots of malts and simcoe. not sure on the age, but the bottle boasts about the malts as well as the simcoe so seems spot on. tastes nice, but for an imperial ipa, i tend to like more of a citric or sweaty sweet hop. the blend of the hop and malt works nicely and it feels kind of like juice. there is a toffee-ness to the malt that compliments the hop for a sweet pleasurable flavor.
m - medium bodied, soft carbonation. smooth, juice-like.
o - overall this is a good beer, but in the crazy world that is imperial ipas these days, there are better options. i did enjoy it thoroughly, but for the style...it doesn't lead the pack. great local that i'd happily have again.
★ 1,285 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
big thanks to TheBeerologist for sending this one my way. bottle label seems to have been updated since the current photo displayed, but this is defitely old 21...also says Simcoe TBK on the label. poured into an urthel tulip.
a - brew poured a crisp transparent orange witha generous offwhite classic frothy ipa head. some visible carbonation could be seen and the foamy head hung around looking chunky and creamy. lacing was fairly sticky.
s - nice citric hops could be smelled upon pouring the beer. closer inspection revealed some earthy graininess as well. lots of malt backbone.
t - much like the nose...lots of malts and simcoe. not sure on the age, but the bottle boasts about the malts as well as the simcoe so seems spot on. tastes nice, but for an imperial ipa, i tend to like more of a citric or sweaty sweet hop. the blend of the hop and malt works nicely and it feels kind of like juice. there is a toffee-ness to the malt that compliments the hop for a sweet pleasurable flavor.
m - medium bodied, soft carbonation. smooth, juice-like.
o - overall this is a good beer, but in the crazy world that is imperial ipas these days, there are better options. i did enjoy it thoroughly, but for the style...it doesn't lead the pack. great local that i'd happily have again.
★ 1,285 characters
3.8/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
This is a great IPA for sure. i had it on nitro at the local beer shop and while I normally like beers on nitro i think it dulled this one just a little too much. It looks amazing with its thick dense head and the smell hints at the citrus like hops. The taste just didn't quite live up to what i was expecting. The nitro made it taste a little creamy and took out the bite of the hops I would expect from an IPA like this. It almost had a citrus cream flavor. Decent beer but not one i'm gonna rush to get again.
★ 513 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
This is a great IPA for sure. i had it on nitro at the local beer shop and while I normally like beers on nitro i think it dulled this one just a little too much. It looks amazing with its thick dense head and the smell hints at the citrus like hops. The taste just didn't quite live up to what i was expecting. The nitro made it taste a little creamy and took out the bite of the hops I would expect from an IPA like this. It almost had a citrus cream flavor. Decent beer but not one i'm gonna rush to get again.
★ 513 characters
3.6/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12oz bottle into a pub glass. Cheers and a thank you to Kegatron for gifting me with a bottle of this. It takes a hearty pour down the middle of the glass to produce a head about a finger strong that looks off-white and rapidly dissolves to a thin film across the top. Rising bubbles of carbonation help sustain the cap a bit and a light swirl revives. The brew sitting underneath is clear with a copper color.
The brew smells of caramel malt mixed with a bit of buttery toffee. Then the onset of hops comes into play which smells floral and fruity. It is a little strange to take note of the malt character of a DIPA first, but im not gonna like, I actually really like the way the caramel sweetness intertwines with the floral and fruity qualities of this aroma. It really works well in an atypical sort of way.
The taste is no shocker when compared to the aroma. It contains a toffee to caramel-like sweetness before the onset of fruity and floral hops. The hops are juicy and full flavored before the bitterness settles on the tongue. Once I pick up on the bitterness and focus on that, it becomes a bit more herbal and borderline piney with a bit of a mineral inclusion. there is a mild note of alcohol showing through on the backend which is a bit solvent almost like a neutral spirit like vodka. It is interesting that this is the only point in the experience where that 9.5% abv starts to show itself.
This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. For the most part it is clean and easy drinking for a 9.5% brew. This was a nice departure from the DIPA norm but honestly it isn't something I would want to buy a bunch of if I was looking for a hop bomb assault. Overall this is an easy approaching and enjoyable middle of the road brew.
★ 1,768 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12oz bottle into a pub glass. Cheers and a thank you to Kegatron for gifting me with a bottle of this. It takes a hearty pour down the middle of the glass to produce a head about a finger strong that looks off-white and rapidly dissolves to a thin film across the top. Rising bubbles of carbonation help sustain the cap a bit and a light swirl revives. The brew sitting underneath is clear with a copper color.
The brew smells of caramel malt mixed with a bit of buttery toffee. Then the onset of hops comes into play which smells floral and fruity. It is a little strange to take note of the malt character of a DIPA first, but im not gonna like, I actually really like the way the caramel sweetness intertwines with the floral and fruity qualities of this aroma. It really works well in an atypical sort of way.
The taste is no shocker when compared to the aroma. It contains a toffee to caramel-like sweetness before the onset of fruity and floral hops. The hops are juicy and full flavored before the bitterness settles on the tongue. Once I pick up on the bitterness and focus on that, it becomes a bit more herbal and borderline piney with a bit of a mineral inclusion. there is a mild note of alcohol showing through on the backend which is a bit solvent almost like a neutral spirit like vodka. It is interesting that this is the only point in the experience where that 9.5% abv starts to show itself.
This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. For the most part it is clean and easy drinking for a 9.5% brew. This was a nice departure from the DIPA norm but honestly it isn't something I would want to buy a bunch of if I was looking for a hop bomb assault. Overall this is an easy approaching and enjoyable middle of the road brew.
★ 1,768 characters
3.65/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 oz bottle into a tulip glass.
Pours a crystal clear copper, with a finger of foamy bright-white head. This retains with roughly a ¼ finger of creamy froth, leaving back some good looking swathes of sticky lace. Floral hops and tropical fruit blow up in the nose, with notes of pine, grapefruit, spice, and a light dankness working themselves in as well. Grains had a soft doughy feel across the back. As this warms, the tropical fruit and herbal character picks up some strength.
The taste is aggressive with grapefruit bitterness and pine, which mostly controls the profile the whole way through into a strong finish of dry spiciness and a deep resinous feel that penetrates the tongue. A sticky blend of sweet fruit, malt, and herbal tones helps to soften things a bit from underneath but the hops definitely have some power here. The mouthfeel is fuller bodied and sharp on the tongue, with a slick firm creaminess that spreads out into the mouth. Unfortunately you start to feel every inch of that 9% ABV as this warms, which kept s back immensely on the drinkability of this after it sits for a while.
This was pretty darn decent initially, with some powerful yet fairly well balanced hop power to it but that big ABV eventually started to rear its ugly head and ruin the party. My advice is to pop the cap and drink this within the half hour or so.
★ 1,364 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 oz bottle into a tulip glass.
Pours a crystal clear copper, with a finger of foamy bright-white head. This retains with roughly a ¼ finger of creamy froth, leaving back some good looking swathes of sticky lace. Floral hops and tropical fruit blow up in the nose, with notes of pine, grapefruit, spice, and a light dankness working themselves in as well. Grains had a soft doughy feel across the back. As this warms, the tropical fruit and herbal character picks up some strength.
The taste is aggressive with grapefruit bitterness and pine, which mostly controls the profile the whole way through into a strong finish of dry spiciness and a deep resinous feel that penetrates the tongue. A sticky blend of sweet fruit, malt, and herbal tones helps to soften things a bit from underneath but the hops definitely have some power here. The mouthfeel is fuller bodied and sharp on the tongue, with a slick firm creaminess that spreads out into the mouth. Unfortunately you start to feel every inch of that 9% ABV as this warms, which kept s back immensely on the drinkability of this after it sits for a while.
This was pretty darn decent initially, with some powerful yet fairly well balanced hop power to it but that big ABV eventually started to rear its ugly head and ruin the party. My advice is to pop the cap and drink this within the half hour or so.
★ 1,364 characters
4/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Murky pale golden yellow body with loads of sticky lacing.
Pleasant aroma of tropical fruits... Pineapple, mango, and orange. Little malt presence.
A solid showcase of simcoe hops. Tropical fruit dominates the hop profile. Spot on with the bitterness.
Mouthfeel is sticky with low carbonation.
It's a solid DIPA and certainly quenches any hophead's craving.
★ 365 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Murky pale golden yellow body with loads of sticky lacing.
Pleasant aroma of tropical fruits... Pineapple, mango, and orange. Little malt presence.
A solid showcase of simcoe hops. Tropical fruit dominates the hop profile. Spot on with the bitterness.
Mouthfeel is sticky with low carbonation.
It's a solid DIPA and certainly quenches any hophead's craving.
★ 365 characters
Old 21 Imperial IPA from The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works
3.9
out of 5
based on 440 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Not a huge fan of this one. This beer makes no attempt to hide its high alcohol content and within the first sip it screams Imperial. The mouthfeel is a little too thick for my liking and the overpowering sweetness of this beer just kills its for me. White Rajah is one of my favorite beers and in my opinion a top IPA. But this one, not so much. Pass.
★ 352 characters