Lip Ripa
Fall River Brewing Co.

Copper in color. Creamy head with streaky lacing. Aroma is malt and herbal notes. Flavor is rye, caramel malt. Light citrus and spice notes. Very smooth considering the alcohol content. Excellent beer overall.

Tough to believe this is 13%. Very smooth A lot of malt up front, with some mild citrus.

 

 

Shimmering dark copper with minimal head except for a thin white film and ring.

Smell is caramel, toffee and rug, yet is somehow inoffensive, with grapefruit and soft pine, which, fittingly, is just like the fallen, soft dried evergreen leaves underfoot at the Redwoods National Park, especially having just departed there. Maybe it's just the result of taking in such a magical place, but this aroma is mesmerizing.

Taste is caramel, biscuit, fiery pine and grapefruit with a gut warming heat, and a slick velvety body with a faint fizz and semi-dry finish.

 

Bottle of unknown date (why did they STOP bottle dating...WTF) into a tulip glass. I assume its fairly fresh, it was one of the last two bottles at the tasting room on Friday. Pours a vibrant copperish amber with almost 2 fingers of medium density khaki head that left variably lacing pattern. Nose is mostly sweet with hints of hops. Taste is about as sweet as I can handle a TIPA with subtle bitterness, surprised there wasn't more spiciness from the rye. Mouthfeel on this one is spectacular, so smooth, almost scary smooth for 13%. Carbonation was good, and the finish shifts from sweet to just the subtlest bit of spice. Is Lip Ripa hanging with PtY and Notorious, not quite, but it's right there.

When I can find the Fall River stuff fresh, their hoppy stuff is DAMN good, but the most recent bottles I've seen have been without any dating...WTF?!? I'll gladly support a place that kills big beers like this, and even more likely to buy some for friends that may not be to Norcal to grab it. Please make this beer again, and bottle date again!

Update: 09/24/16 they're bottle dating again, Mant Thanks Fall River, you guys rock!

 

Dangerous. Hope you have a DD. This one sneaks up on you... and that's not so bad.

 

So smooth and drinkable, incredible considering the 13.0 ABV!

 

 

 

Best Triple IPA I've had. Great hop profile without overbearing malt sweetness. Super smooth and easy to drink, and it doesn't have the boozy burn you'd expect from 13% abv. Excellent beer.