HighBeam IPA
Walnut River Brewing Company

Appearance: Pours a clear, medium orange color with a very strong and billowing white and foaming head. SRM of 13. (4.25)

Aroma: Moderate aromas of orange, orange juice, grapefruit. Lots of nectarine. Some sweet mango, apple and berry underneath in the malt. (3.75)

Flavor: The flavor follows with moderate flavors of orange, nectarine, followed by some earthy sweet mango, apple and moderately bitter pine. Moderately bitter, but leans malty. (4.00)

Feel: Medium to heavier bodied. Full. Moderate carbonation, but full on the tongue. Finishes slightly malty with a mild pine bitterness. (3.75)

Compared to Sierra Nevada's Torpedo IPA 2/19/21: Pours similar, but slightly lighter. More apple and nectarine. Less candied and caramelized orange and pine. A lighter body, but similar bitterness.

Compared to Centennial IPA 3/8/21: Pours a lighter color. Milder and less malty aromas. More orange juice and mango on the flavor. Less earthy, dank berry. Lighter and less malty.

to Bells Two-Hearted Ale 2/23/22: Pours slightly darker. Milder aromas. More tropical melon notes. Less stonefruit and pine. Overall, similar, but Two-Hearted has more flavor.

Overall: A pretty decent IPA here. Have been somewhat impressed with this over the few times that I've tried, but this is my first formal rating. Tonight, it drinks pretty standard for a good IPA. Nothing to bring it above the pack on a national level or for 7.7% ABV, but definitely a quality IPA for a local brewery. This one is good and deserves packing and distribution.
(Final Rating: 3.93)
*Compare to any malty Midwest IPA*

 

Can, no dating there but there's a sticker on the 6pack. I can't find it. Whatever. They just came in to town so it has to be reasonably fresh.

It pours a clear gold, good head of foam that shrinks to a fine layer. Some lacing.

Noticeable notes of caramel malt in the smell. Mild citrus and pine, low level of bitterness. I smell...balance.

Citrus and pine do their thing, caramel and earthy malt do theirs. They are, imho, wonderfully balanced and make for an eminently drinkable IPA.

The mouthfeel is Slick, borderline resinous.

What a nice break this provides for the seriously hoppy brews that are out there in spades. Maltiest IPA since my last BridgePort IPA, which I will miss dearly.

 

Wow. El dorado you've got me up on your fences. Wonderful look, delicious taste from the heavy malt to the citrus pine notes this beer has me wanting another. And at 7.7% how COULDN'T you shift the juice? 10/10 would try again.

 

GOOD IPA , FINE TASTE WOULD DRINK IT MORE IF AVAILABLE IN ILLINOIS

Draught in Emporia: this one pours a clear golden color. There was a thin white head that left some lacing. It has a lighter nose. Some tropical, pine and citrus notes. Not to bitter to the taste. Pine, citrus and tropical flavors. OK

 

 

This beer has problems, big diacetyl nose and flavor kills any hope for a good beer. No discernible hops through the diacetyl butter taste. I hope this was a bad 6 pack, would not recommend.

Pours a clear yellow golden color with white head. Citrus, pine, other light fruits, and some grass on the nose; follows onto the palate. Medium bodied. Finishes with fruit and pine. Not bad.

L: Burnt orange color with thin lacing head.

S: Malty and floral.

T&F: Bready malt, citrus fruits and apple. Finishes with a light lingering bitterness.

O: Well balanced, it has plenty of hop presence, but is a good change of pace from some of the super bitter IPAs that are increasingly common.

Floral, Citrusy, Bready, Balanced

Walnut River’s IPA has a golden, orangey hue and a sticky foam lace. Its malty nose offers floral and citrus hints. The body is crisp with a slight chewiness. Flavors unfold on the palate with more floral and citrus character and then some rind and apple notes, followed by a mild sweetness, a touch of honey and bready malts. A dry, grainy, and biscuity finish includes lingering herbal notes and alcohol warmth. The low beams are shining on this IPA as it's quite balanced, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

As reviewed in BeerAdvocate magazine #119 (December 2016).

 

Poured out a clear, golden color with a small, white head of foam. It smelled of piney hops and burnt toast maltiness. Nice bitter piney bite with some citrus kick. Sweet caramel and toasted bread for a backbone. It was crisp and sharp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poured into a shaker pint glass.

Look: Hazy burnt orange body under a thick cream colored head. A layer of bubbly head retention, light lacing.

Aroma: Malty and floral with some pine and hops later on. A hidden touch of white pepper.

Taste: A big malty beginning, then some fruit rinds and florals come into play. Very bitter in the finish with grapefruit rind.

Mouthfeel: Very smooth, a touch of heat in the finish.

Overall: Really well balanced, bold, a good malt backbone.