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Road Warrior Imperial Rye India Pale Ale
Green Flash Brewing Co.


Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Green Flash Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- Imperial IPA
- ABV:
- 9%
- Score:
- 91
- Avg:
- 4.07 | pDev: 9.58%
- Reviews:
- 191
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 04, 2020
- Added:
- Apr 23, 2014
- Wants:
- 53
- Gots:
- 311
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding


Notes:
Our Imperial Rye IPA is brewed in the name of our Road Warriors—the sales team who tirelessly hit the streets, traveling from town to town and pub to pub sharing the Green Flash experience. Road Warrior™ charges full flavor forward. Columbus and Mosaic hops, rich crystal and spicy rye malts pave the way for Mosaic and Amarillo dry-hopping to boldly shine through in the finish. Raise a glass to those who never settle!
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada
3.68/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.68/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A mixture of a burnt copper and dark red/auburn appearance color wise, this is a darker hoppy beer. The head is an earthy brown as well, 1/3". Aroma should be popping off harder with both Mosaic and Amarillo, seems a lot more CTZ (Columbus) went into this more than any other hop variety. Its pleasant, but not what you think of when you see those heavy hitters in the aroma lineup, but I dunno, seems like Mosaic especially is a little bit lacking.
Its a forest of pine and juniper in the taste, very sticky, hefty malt toffee going on here. There is a significant bitterness to the beer. Again, likely the CTZ. The malt is heavily roasted so you get a mix of coffee and chocolate like notes from the malt. Its dark, but its not really like a red ale or anything despite the malt indicators. Its just got a lot of stuff, lots of malt, lots of hops.
Its not a barleywine, but I would say, if you like Bigfoot fresh, you will probably like this. Its a lot of everything and a decent price around $2 a bottle.
May 15, 2018Its a forest of pine and juniper in the taste, very sticky, hefty malt toffee going on here. There is a significant bitterness to the beer. Again, likely the CTZ. The malt is heavily roasted so you get a mix of coffee and chocolate like notes from the malt. Its dark, but its not really like a red ale or anything despite the malt indicators. Its just got a lot of stuff, lots of malt, lots of hops.
Its not a barleywine, but I would say, if you like Bigfoot fresh, you will probably like this. Its a lot of everything and a decent price around $2 a bottle.
Reviewed by Libeertarian from Montana
4.21/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.21/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
From old notes:
Barely clear, deep copper to almost ruby, with an extreme abundance of both larger and smaller particulates throughout. Head is a fluffy, chunky, uneven, tan foam, of excellent retention. Wet but sticky lacing, in large berms. Toasted grain, toffee, resin, sweet orange, dark fruit aromas. Palate of brown sugar, cough syrup, dark fruit, and hops ranging from dank and leathery to perfumey and spicy, well into the aftertaste. Also, pepper and anise in the finish and retro-olfaction. The rye no doubt also contributes to the dankness and spiciness. Extreme flavors, but they pull against each other just enough to create a wonderful balance. Medium-bodied but with a soft, almost creamy, and yet dense effervescence making for a lighter mouthfeel. Fair amount of heat but bitterness and carbonation force you to seek it out.
Apr 19, 2017Barely clear, deep copper to almost ruby, with an extreme abundance of both larger and smaller particulates throughout. Head is a fluffy, chunky, uneven, tan foam, of excellent retention. Wet but sticky lacing, in large berms. Toasted grain, toffee, resin, sweet orange, dark fruit aromas. Palate of brown sugar, cough syrup, dark fruit, and hops ranging from dank and leathery to perfumey and spicy, well into the aftertaste. Also, pepper and anise in the finish and retro-olfaction. The rye no doubt also contributes to the dankness and spiciness. Extreme flavors, but they pull against each other just enough to create a wonderful balance. Medium-bodied but with a soft, almost creamy, and yet dense effervescence making for a lighter mouthfeel. Fair amount of heat but bitterness and carbonation force you to seek it out.
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho
3.99/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.99/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle from Brewers Haven. Perfect in every aspect. Dark and brooding, malty , hoppy nose, nice lacing. Malt and hops dance together for an overall smooth presentation.
Nov 18, 2016Reviewed by soupyman10 from District of Columbia
4.45/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
4.45/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
Nice deep amber color, some slight lacing. Nose is spicy dried fruit, some caramel malt, citrusy hops. Love the flavor. Rye spice along with a great mix of the same flavors as the nose - toffee, raisins, some piney hops, rye spiciness. Quite nice. Body is full, slightly syrupy. Really excellent beer.
Jul 17, 2016Reviewed by DavidS333 from Virginia
4.27/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.27/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Road warrior is a brew by Green Flash brewing, which after sampling many of their different varieties of brew, I've got to say, is a great brewery.
Road warrior is a darker Pale Ale. There is not a lot of froth per se, to the brew, when poured. The smell has a nice subtle but rich hoppiness to it per se. The color is a nice sort of chestnut brown if one will. The taste overall is great. The initial taste is really nicely hoppy and refreshing, and it sort of fades into a nice rich after taste in the back of the mouth area, which sort of lingers around the center of the tongue per se.
Something that strikes me as sort of unique about this beer, is that as one drinks it per se, it has a rich flavor both in the front and at the back of the mouth, which seems somewhat unique or interesting.
The body is very viscous per se, it flows well, its not too thick at all, and has a nice fluid quality to it. Its not too heavy either, it has a nice medium weight or so, its quite appealing.
Overall a unique, appealing, and satisfying brew.
Jul 05, 2016Road warrior is a darker Pale Ale. There is not a lot of froth per se, to the brew, when poured. The smell has a nice subtle but rich hoppiness to it per se. The color is a nice sort of chestnut brown if one will. The taste overall is great. The initial taste is really nicely hoppy and refreshing, and it sort of fades into a nice rich after taste in the back of the mouth area, which sort of lingers around the center of the tongue per se.
Something that strikes me as sort of unique about this beer, is that as one drinks it per se, it has a rich flavor both in the front and at the back of the mouth, which seems somewhat unique or interesting.
The body is very viscous per se, it flows well, its not too thick at all, and has a nice fluid quality to it. Its not too heavy either, it has a nice medium weight or so, its quite appealing.
Overall a unique, appealing, and satisfying brew.
Reviewed by Homebrewer_Dave from North Carolina
4.1/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is perhaps the first rye beer that I have actually liked. Imperial conditioning seems to have smoothed out the harsh rye flavor. It's left the beer with a heavy but welcome malty feel.
Jun 19, 2016Reviewed by DrDemento456 from Pennsylvania
4/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Dark brown clear looks almost like a brown ale than an IPA. Hazy opaque colored head a 1/2 inch that takes a bit to dissipate.
S - Piney caramel malts with mild spicy rye.
T - Bitter yet balanced more sweet than I expected with a slightly dry lingering bitterness. Quite good!
M - Smooth medium bodied and chewy but easy to finish.
Overall it's bitter, spicy and sweet with a good finish. I like it!
May 17, 2016S - Piney caramel malts with mild spicy rye.
T - Bitter yet balanced more sweet than I expected with a slightly dry lingering bitterness. Quite good!
M - Smooth medium bodied and chewy but easy to finish.
Overall it's bitter, spicy and sweet with a good finish. I like it!
Rated by KrissyKat6 from New York
3.9/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.9/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Intense. Hits you in the face.
Mar 13, 2016Rated by Billydoughnuts from Michigan
3.53/5 rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.53/5 rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I know for certain this was old
Feb 02, 2016Reviewed by hotmailmsn from Canada (BC)
4.02/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.02/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
9% abv, 80 ibu, on tap.
A - bit hazy blood orange, one finger head, lacing.
S - fruity, malt sweet, piney, spice, caramel, toffee.
T - welly carbonated, sticky big body. hop forward, more than I expected from 80 ibu. rye malt spice. lingering bitterness.
O - really delicious imperial ipa, more on bitter side, especially Columbus & mosaic. n rye malt characteristic. big favors big hoppy. fresh in summer, warm in winter! will get it again!
Jan 24, 2016A - bit hazy blood orange, one finger head, lacing.
S - fruity, malt sweet, piney, spice, caramel, toffee.
T - welly carbonated, sticky big body. hop forward, more than I expected from 80 ibu. rye malt spice. lingering bitterness.
O - really delicious imperial ipa, more on bitter side, especially Columbus & mosaic. n rye malt characteristic. big favors big hoppy. fresh in summer, warm in winter! will get it again!
Reviewed by dbl_delta from Pennsylvania
4.15/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.15/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bottle dated "best by 12 Nov 2015" (so it's a little past its prime) into pint glass. Pours a slightly hazy reddish brown, with a thin tan head. Initial impression is spicy rye and hops. Medium mouthfeel. Very smooth and easy to drink - alcohol is quite well hidden. Slightly dry finish. Really well-balanced. I'd definitely keep this in the fridge if I could find it consistently.
Jan 02, 2016
Road Warrior Imperial Rye India Pale Ale from Green Flash Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
1348 ratings
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