Freak Of Nature
Wicked Weed Brewing

Freak Of NatureFreak Of Nature
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From:
Wicked Weed Brewing
 
North Carolina, United States
Style:
Imperial IPA
Ranked #201
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
95
Ranked #1,385
Avg:
4.29 | pDev: 7.69%
Reviews:
230
Ratings:
1,587
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 20, 2024
Added:
Feb 16, 2013
Wants:
  282
Gots:
  359
The Freak of Nature is our San Francisco inspired hoppy monster. At 8% abv and who knows how many ibu’s, this beer is our shrine to the Hop. Absurd amounts of the big West Coast hops gives this beer its citrusy, weedy nose and big, dank flavor. We dry hop with 48lbs per batch, which is over 3lbs of hops per barrel. In keeping with the classic style of the West Coast double, sugar plays a large part in creating this dry and minimally bitter double IPA. The Freak is particularly pintable for the style, so if you dare to enter, we welcome you to the Freak Show.

Style: Double IPA/IPA
OG: 1.071°
Hops: Centennial/Chinook/Columbus/Warrior
Dry Hops: Amarillo/Centennial/Columbus/Simcoe
Yeasts: California Ale Yeast
Malts: 2 Row/Carifoam/Crystal Light
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of BloodSoakedAleMug
Reviewed by BloodSoakedAleMug from New York

4.53/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Look:
Pours a translucent golden orange color with a frothy, two finger head of beige foam that hangs around for a good while and laces the glass exceptionally well. Lots of visible carbonation.

Aroma:
Spicy/sweet notes of spruce needles and burnt citrus peel. Some hints of tropical pineapple and tangy, slightly tart mango. Some minor, but still perceptible notes of cantaloupe and honeydew in there as well.

Taste:
Clean notes of honeydew melon and mango upfront. Savory / tangy flavors of pineapple puree and malt driven notes of freshly baked banana bread. Brief flash of caramel and toffee. Bitter throughout but not aggressively so - there's a nice flavor of pine sap, orange peel and tree resin blanketing the entire experience - it's just enough so as to keep the beer from being too tropical and sweet.

Feel:
Creamy and smooth. The beer feels a lot less carbonated than the appearance lets on. Alcohol profile is low, especially for an 8.5%er but still apparent. Astringency is mild, but works well with the beers texture and flavor.

Overall:
This was a treat. Really exceptional imperial IPA.
Feb 20, 2024
 
Rated: 4.29 by Ocalafox from Florida

Dec 13, 2023
Photo of mvanaskie13
Reviewed by mvanaskie13 from Pennsylvania

4.04/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a wide mouth grip shaped goblet: color is straw gold, transparent and clear, head is off white but only a scant presentation (less than 1/4 inch), limited lacing and no top remain.

Smell is hop forward, big pine and resin notes, light citric, malt is lightly toasted and hint of caramel but clean.

Taste is similar with hop forward, clean, bitter; flavors are pine with a resinous quality, citrus pith, toasted malt, light caramel.

Mouthfeel is moderate carbonation, moderate sweetness, moderate/strong bitterness.

Overall this presented well and has great flavor - i had picked up in a mix pack and the first two were very good while the third seemed to be less than optimal, giving extra for overall of three tastings.
Dec 03, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by doctorgary from New York

Nov 27, 2023
 
Rated: 4.25 by bacher468 from Pennsylvania

Nov 11, 2023
Photo of dcat151
Reviewed by dcat151 from Georgia

4.21/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance is amber with some haze and moderate head. Aroma is hoppy and slightly dank. Taste is malty and less hoppy than the aroma would lead you to believe. Mouthfeel is somewhat smooth and balanced. Overall a good, solid IPA.
Oct 11, 2023
Photo of Billolick
Reviewed by Billolick from New York

4.15/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
12 oz can...bottom tells me to "Drink by 11/4/23"....so I did....fresh and flavorful

Pours with a moderate haze, medium cap, some ringed lacing and minor froth.

Sniff reveals some moderate tropical goodness.

West coast in style, with a juicy/tropical flourish...some grapefruit and some pineapple, all getting along nicely...in a 8.5% package...heady, tasty, worthy
Sep 26, 2023
 
Rated: 4.92 by markallmon from Tennessee

Sep 17, 2023
 
Rated: 4.9 by Reggaebill from North Carolina

Sep 15, 2023
 
 
Rated: 4.5 by JKENNEKE

Jul 22, 2023
 
Rated: 4.13 by Gerred from Missouri

Jun 15, 2023
Photo of stevoj
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

4/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Draft at Churchkey. Medium golden, clear and bright, soft foamy head, rings of lacing. Incredibly smooth for an IIPA. Aroma comes on soft, mostly hops, mildly dank. Taste comes in a lot fuller, but not too much. Malts still shine through this with some nice toffee flavors. Very smooth.
Jun 01, 2023
 
Rated: 4.25 by HighwayChile from Kansas

May 29, 2023
 
Rated: 3.98 by JHeard79 from North Carolina

Apr 01, 2023
Photo of Preston
Rated by Preston from Florida

4.47/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Yes!!!
Mar 26, 2023
 
Rated: 4.11 by wisegreensoul from Idaho

Mar 09, 2023
 
Rated: 3.88 by SViterileroux74 from Texas

Feb 03, 2023
 
Rated: 4.22 by rorjets from Connecticut

Jan 25, 2023
 
Rated: 4.12 by EMH73 from New York

Dec 27, 2022
Freak Of Nature from Wicked Weed Brewing
Beer rating: 95 out of 100 with 1587 ratings