Green Gown
Berkshire Brewing Company
- From:
- Berkshire Brewing Company
- Massachusetts, United States
- Style:
- Imperial IPA
Ranked #2,758 - ABV:
- 8.5%
- Score:
- 86
Ranked #25,519 - Avg:
- 3.82 | pDev: 12.83%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 12
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Apr 19, 2023
- Added:
- Apr 27, 2017
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 16
SCORE
86
Very Good
86
Very Good
A high gravity New England style IPA featuring Citra, Simcoe, Centennial and Experimental 431 hop varieties. This quarterly release is the shade of a hazy sunset, and is the perfect pairing for any season in New England. The alcohol is substantial enough to warm you in the winter, the aromatics welcome spring with bright floral and fruit, in summer the hop flavors of citrus and melon are reminiscent of fruit salad, and in fall the malt backbone and bready accents complement the cool autumn breezes. Coming in at 8.5% ABV, this beer drinks deviously smooth while provoking the olfactory with a tropical bouquet of blood orange flesh, grapefruit rind and melon. 2 row pale malt and German pilsner malt create a canvas for the hops to shine while providing enough body for a great drinking experience. So Raise your Gown and Drink It Down!
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by smaddock:
Rated by smaddock from Massachusetts
3.27/5 rDev -14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Jun 19, 2018
3.27/5 rDev -14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Jun 19, 2018
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by CTHomer from Connecticut
4.06/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.06/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A: crystal clear; deep gold in color; 2 finger finely pored off white head that receded to a thin cap; nice lacing;
S: distinctly blood orange;
T: grapefruit and blood orange up front; all blood orange from the middle through the finish; moderate bitterness at the end;
M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish;
O: the blood orange character surprised me and I loved it;
Sep 23, 2021S: distinctly blood orange;
T: grapefruit and blood orange up front; all blood orange from the middle through the finish; moderate bitterness at the end;
M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish;
O: the blood orange character surprised me and I loved it;
Reviewed by ichorNet from Massachusetts
4.04/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.04/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
I haven't had anything new from Berkshire in ages, but when I went to do my first online beer order today, I noticed that my local store claimed they had Fiery Green Gown in stock. Excited, I put it in my cart with my other choices and hit checkout, only to be called by the store a few minutes later telling me they only had normal Green Gown and that the FGG had sold out recently but the inventory hadn't updated. I told them not to worry much and to just give me regular GG because I actually haven't had a can of it yet. I was happy to see that its about a month and a half old which is relatively fresh (compared to some of my other choices, anyway), so let's get into it and see what BBC has to offer in the DIPA realm.
Pours a dense and almost-opaque moderately-saturated orange color topped off with a huge, sticky head of eggshell-white suds that leaves behind insane lacing as it slowly settles to a half-finger with awesome legs. Really weird but great appearance here... that lace and general haze really gives me a good feeling about this one.
So, this is hopped with Citra, Simcoe, Centennial, and HBC 431 which seems like a pretty fun, more old-school hop selection. I'm hoping that these feel well-curated to bring along some new-school elements along with a West Coast-type bitterness. The initial scent brings to mind strong pine and pithy grapefruit rind, which really does cement my mind back in the earlier days of stuff like Ruination, and there's a decent hint of graininess in here as well. It also has some light estery qualities, mango, fruit gum, tangerine, and a hint of the 8.5% ABV. I'm alright with this so far, but it's nothing spectacular, honestly.
First sip has a good grainy heft to it with a lingering flavor of aspirin-like pine-y bitterness and thick waves of grapefruit, tangelo, and mango with hints of florals and grassy elements coming across as I drink. Soft and pretty "healthy" feel with a big body and a moderate palate-coating slickness/oiliness. Some nice flavors here but it also remains a bit anonymous overall and doesn't pop like many modern NEIPAs I've had lately. I guess I shouldn't expect BBC to make a full-on "modern hazy IPA," and I should probably just be happy this is pretty good and drinkable, though, so I will choose to not be overly-picky with this beer. Pretty decent stuff, but I still want to try the super-spicy version just for fun.
Dec 27, 2020Pours a dense and almost-opaque moderately-saturated orange color topped off with a huge, sticky head of eggshell-white suds that leaves behind insane lacing as it slowly settles to a half-finger with awesome legs. Really weird but great appearance here... that lace and general haze really gives me a good feeling about this one.
So, this is hopped with Citra, Simcoe, Centennial, and HBC 431 which seems like a pretty fun, more old-school hop selection. I'm hoping that these feel well-curated to bring along some new-school elements along with a West Coast-type bitterness. The initial scent brings to mind strong pine and pithy grapefruit rind, which really does cement my mind back in the earlier days of stuff like Ruination, and there's a decent hint of graininess in here as well. It also has some light estery qualities, mango, fruit gum, tangerine, and a hint of the 8.5% ABV. I'm alright with this so far, but it's nothing spectacular, honestly.
First sip has a good grainy heft to it with a lingering flavor of aspirin-like pine-y bitterness and thick waves of grapefruit, tangelo, and mango with hints of florals and grassy elements coming across as I drink. Soft and pretty "healthy" feel with a big body and a moderate palate-coating slickness/oiliness. Some nice flavors here but it also remains a bit anonymous overall and doesn't pop like many modern NEIPAs I've had lately. I guess I shouldn't expect BBC to make a full-on "modern hazy IPA," and I should probably just be happy this is pretty good and drinkable, though, so I will choose to not be overly-picky with this beer. Pretty decent stuff, but I still want to try the super-spicy version just for fun.
Reviewed by LarryV from Massachusetts
3.26/5 rDev -14.7%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.26/5 rDev -14.7%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours an amber color with a shitload of particulate matter floating around. rather unappetizing. Carbonation is virtually non-existent and the suspended matter hangs like glue. Taste is okay,but I'm totally put off by the suspended matter in the beer. FWIW, I wouldn't buy again.
Jun 12, 2020
Reviewed by puboflyons from New Hampshire
3.7/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.7/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
From the can without a date that I can see. Sampled on March , 20202.
Slightly cloudy looking amber-orange. Looks more like a chill haze that a hazy IPA pour.
Some moderate fruits and citrus in the aroma bu nothing overwhelming. Cereal grains too. Pretty straight forward actually and not unique.
Medium body.
The taste is at first sweet and clean and then the fruity hops kick in a little at the end. But it does not blow me away. Pretty routine actually.
Mar 08, 2020Slightly cloudy looking amber-orange. Looks more like a chill haze that a hazy IPA pour.
Some moderate fruits and citrus in the aroma bu nothing overwhelming. Cereal grains too. Pretty straight forward actually and not unique.
Medium body.
The taste is at first sweet and clean and then the fruity hops kick in a little at the end. But it does not blow me away. Pretty routine actually.
Reviewed by cbutova from Massachusetts
4.19/5 rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.19/5 rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A- Tall green giant pours a floury murky golden peach into a tasting chalice. The head is thick and creamy and very long lasting. Thick blankets of lacing immediately and they last throughout the experience.
S- All about the hops and compared to modern standards the overall aromatic strength of the hops is at about a low-medium level. That is not a bad thing as the brewers find a nice balance of citrus, tropical, pine, stone fruit and floral hops. Grapefruit, bitter orange and tangerine for specifics.
T- No anti-freeze here as one review suggested just an abundance of the bold and bitter hops with massive grapefruit, bitter resinous pine, floral and citrus peel notes galore. The citrus zest is bold, oily and very bitter but it never burns or approaches acrid. The aforementioned hop flavors basically drown out the stone and tropical fruits sans a hint of tart underripe mango and apricot that poke through seldomly.
MF- Medium bodied overall and the texture is a cross between puffy and frothy. A high level of carbonation really makes the zesty citrus pop off and it all ends with a strong but tolerable bitterness.
Aroma suggests big citrus and pine with hints of tropical and stone fruits where the palate gets absolutely lambasted with a ton of grapefruit, strong citrus oils and intense bitterness along with big pine resin. Not your soft juice bomb but a double IPA that packs flavors that may be considered "old school" now. If you want the bitter and bold come here for a well brewed DIPA.
Feb 23, 2019S- All about the hops and compared to modern standards the overall aromatic strength of the hops is at about a low-medium level. That is not a bad thing as the brewers find a nice balance of citrus, tropical, pine, stone fruit and floral hops. Grapefruit, bitter orange and tangerine for specifics.
T- No anti-freeze here as one review suggested just an abundance of the bold and bitter hops with massive grapefruit, bitter resinous pine, floral and citrus peel notes galore. The citrus zest is bold, oily and very bitter but it never burns or approaches acrid. The aforementioned hop flavors basically drown out the stone and tropical fruits sans a hint of tart underripe mango and apricot that poke through seldomly.
MF- Medium bodied overall and the texture is a cross between puffy and frothy. A high level of carbonation really makes the zesty citrus pop off and it all ends with a strong but tolerable bitterness.
Aroma suggests big citrus and pine with hints of tropical and stone fruits where the palate gets absolutely lambasted with a ton of grapefruit, strong citrus oils and intense bitterness along with big pine resin. Not your soft juice bomb but a double IPA that packs flavors that may be considered "old school" now. If you want the bitter and bold come here for a well brewed DIPA.
Reviewed by Dan_Sea from Connecticut
1.72/5 rDev -55%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.75
1.72/5 rDev -55%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.75
Nasty stuff, first sip and said to a friend it must be laced with anti-freeze. Says it is retired but had just one draft (Green Gown Fire double IPA) last night (1-3-2019) and I'd never order another.
Jan 04, 2019
Reviewed by ScaryEd from New Hampshire
4.24/5 rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.24/5 rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 16 oz can into a spiegelau glass.
Pours a hazy bright gold orange color with 2 fingers of off-white head. The head lasts for days, leaving a ton of splotchy lacing before eventually settling into a thin, enveloping sheet.
The aroma brings notes of grapefruit, citrus rind, honeydew melon, pineapple, and pine needles. Very earthy with a nice bready malt presence throughout.
The flavor is more of the same: Citrusy, rindy bitterness followed by some sweeter notes of pineapples and melon and an earthy, piney finish. The doughy, wheat bread malt provides a solid backbone. Nicely balanced between bitterness, earthiness, and tropical sweetness.
The feel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Creamy and smooth, but has a dry, crisp finish. Alcohol is present but only just.
Overall, this is a great DIPA. I bought this completely blind with low expectations but was ultimately surprised by a flavorful hop grenade chucked directly into my face. This is a NEIPA by appearance only. The flavor is hoppy and bitter with a ton of balance. Very well done.
Sep 17, 2018Pours a hazy bright gold orange color with 2 fingers of off-white head. The head lasts for days, leaving a ton of splotchy lacing before eventually settling into a thin, enveloping sheet.
The aroma brings notes of grapefruit, citrus rind, honeydew melon, pineapple, and pine needles. Very earthy with a nice bready malt presence throughout.
The flavor is more of the same: Citrusy, rindy bitterness followed by some sweeter notes of pineapples and melon and an earthy, piney finish. The doughy, wheat bread malt provides a solid backbone. Nicely balanced between bitterness, earthiness, and tropical sweetness.
The feel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Creamy and smooth, but has a dry, crisp finish. Alcohol is present but only just.
Overall, this is a great DIPA. I bought this completely blind with low expectations but was ultimately surprised by a flavorful hop grenade chucked directly into my face. This is a NEIPA by appearance only. The flavor is hoppy and bitter with a ton of balance. Very well done.
Reviewed by GratefulBeerGuy from New Hampshire
3.49/5 rDev -8.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.49/5 rDev -8.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Pint can. 9/5/18
Shades of orange and gold in the coloration. Hazy, not opaque or muddy like most of the top rated New England ipa's. The white foamy top is thick and clumpy, not creamy...but bubbly with some sticky Lace.
The nose is interesting, it had some chalky citrus and some melon, but also corn husk style "green" leafy effect. A Hearty and grainy aroma in the malt is heavier, and brasher than most NE IPA's. I really like the pilsner and wheat malts used to gently give support to the hops. The three hops and hearty malt gives off a much more, old-school IPA aroma. It could possibly be a more robust yeast adding to the earthy tones as well.
The flavor seems to have a nice balance of very fresh and green leafy style hops pop right out, dry-earthy hop tones ride in next, with some peppery citrus and a dry but bitter finish. The malt is seriously crispy and grainy,medium bodied effect in both feel and flavor. I think it might be the yeast that is adding an extra, earthy and slightly sour edge, that goes a bit to far out of character for the style.
The feel is funny, a crisp and dry bite happens first, light. Then, a bit medium to full bodied as the malt kick in, ending practically slick. A peppery, spicy hop and yeast taste from the combo is both strange and interesting.
Overall, really strange for the style... some noticable off flavors just come across as odd. I always keep an open mind, so it might continue to grow on me.
Sep 06, 2018Shades of orange and gold in the coloration. Hazy, not opaque or muddy like most of the top rated New England ipa's. The white foamy top is thick and clumpy, not creamy...but bubbly with some sticky Lace.
The nose is interesting, it had some chalky citrus and some melon, but also corn husk style "green" leafy effect. A Hearty and grainy aroma in the malt is heavier, and brasher than most NE IPA's. I really like the pilsner and wheat malts used to gently give support to the hops. The three hops and hearty malt gives off a much more, old-school IPA aroma. It could possibly be a more robust yeast adding to the earthy tones as well.
The flavor seems to have a nice balance of very fresh and green leafy style hops pop right out, dry-earthy hop tones ride in next, with some peppery citrus and a dry but bitter finish. The malt is seriously crispy and grainy,medium bodied effect in both feel and flavor. I think it might be the yeast that is adding an extra, earthy and slightly sour edge, that goes a bit to far out of character for the style.
The feel is funny, a crisp and dry bite happens first, light. Then, a bit medium to full bodied as the malt kick in, ending practically slick. A peppery, spicy hop and yeast taste from the combo is both strange and interesting.
Overall, really strange for the style... some noticable off flavors just come across as odd. I always keep an open mind, so it might continue to grow on me.
Reviewed by SawDog505 from New Hampshire
4.04/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.04/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured into my 13 oz Tired Hands Teku glass, best before 1/25/19 probably a few months old, says retired well I guess they brought it back, 8.5% ABV. Pours a hazy orange yellow with a finger plus sticky white head that leaves spotty dots of lace behind as it slowly settles into a thick layer of white bubbles, excellent retention. 4.25
Smell is tangerine, pineapple, mellon, papaya, and grapefruit rind. 4
Taste follows pineapple, mellon, tangerine, papaya, and a healthy dose of bitter grapefruit lingers on the palate awhile. 4
Mouthfeel is bigger than medium, soft gentle carbonation, not dry but rather sticky from all the dry hopping Citra, centennial, Simcoe, and experimental 431 hop variety. 4.25
Overall I am liking this one for quality and price $12.99 a 4 pack and a really nice beer. 4
Sep 02, 2018Smell is tangerine, pineapple, mellon, papaya, and grapefruit rind. 4
Taste follows pineapple, mellon, tangerine, papaya, and a healthy dose of bitter grapefruit lingers on the palate awhile. 4
Mouthfeel is bigger than medium, soft gentle carbonation, not dry but rather sticky from all the dry hopping Citra, centennial, Simcoe, and experimental 431 hop variety. 4.25
Overall I am liking this one for quality and price $12.99 a 4 pack and a really nice beer. 4
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