Hi-Def
Castle Island Brewing Co.

Hi-DefHi-Def
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From:
Castle Island Brewing Co.
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
Imperial IPA
Ranked #1,183
ABV:
8.4%
Score:
91
Ranked #6,342
Avg:
4.11 | pDev: 9%
Reviews:
24
Ratings:
114
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 24, 2024
Added:
Aug 22, 2017
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  38
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Shaymus:
Photo of Shaymus
Rated by Shaymus from Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Aug 27, 2017
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by 322wingedfoot from Pennsylvania

Feb 24, 2024
 
Rated: 4.59 by j37geogaddi from Massachusetts

Mar 16, 2023
Photo of GregDBoston
Reviewed by GregDBoston from Massachusetts

4.52/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Had it as a draft at the brewery and took home a 4-pack. At the bar, I said this could replace Fiver as my go-to, though the ABV is much higher and will limit my intake. Indeed, it was just as good from the can with great hop flavor.

The first 4-pack I took home from the brewery, though, was 4-months old and definitely off. This is one of their core beers, so why would they sell something that's already 120 days old *at the brewery* for chrissakes??? I sent them a note asking the same and they made good with an apology and a replacement. Maybe it was just a fluke, but I'll check the canning date on CIBC's before buying.
Mar 11, 2022
 
Rated: 4.1 by reynoldsc

Jul 31, 2021
 
Rated: 4.09 by Sellen from Connecticut

Jun 30, 2021
 
Rated: 3.78 by Jmello4

May 30, 2021
Photo of fALEaLE
Reviewed by fALEaLE from Massachusetts

4.21/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
I keep coming back to Hi-Def. One of the more complex and enjoyable double IPAs. So many newer IPAs are bland in comparison. Poring from a fresh can. Orange amber color with a frothy sticky head. Grapefruit and mango but with complementary bitterness. Mouth feel is big and satisfying, almost tingling. Great.
Apr 23, 2021
 
Rated: 4.17 by wip998001 from Massachusetts

May 27, 2020
Photo of CTHomer
Reviewed by CTHomer from Connecticut

3.91/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: cloudy; medium gold in color; 1 finger ivory head that receded quickly to a big bubbled collar; very little lacing;

S: tangerine is dominant; this almost smells like candy;

T: tangerine, pineapple, and dankness are balanced from start to finish; mild bitterness at the end;

M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish; hides the ABV well;

o: interesting and well made;
May 06, 2020
 
Rated: 4.24 by jzeilinger from Pennsylvania

Jan 31, 2020
 
Rated: 4.19 by Knapp85 from Pennsylvania

Jan 31, 2020
Photo of Eamonn-Cummings3
Reviewed by Eamonn-Cummings3 from New York

4.35/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 16oz can into a Speiglau pilsner glass.

Look is a hazy orange amber with a full thick white head.

Aroma is orange hop candy with a light grassy note.

Taste is really delicious, hop candy orange.

So good.
Nov 04, 2019
Photo of thebeerguy31
Reviewed by thebeerguy31 from Massachusetts

4.41/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Look: 4 - nice golden yellow, pretty opaque
Nose: 4.25 - nice fruity/candy
Taste: 4.5 - very smooth and crushable for 8.5%. Sweet candied citrus up front followed by moderate hops
Feel: 4.5 - medium body, medium/low carbonation, pretty creamy
Overall: 4.5 - pretty light feeling for 8.5%. Easy to drink and enjoyable
Aug 21, 2019
 
Rated: 1.76 by AshleyLyn0105 from Rhode Island

Aug 05, 2019
Photo of harrypowers
Reviewed by harrypowers from Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I had a couple of draft pints. Pours an opaque orangy yellow.

The taste is heavy on the fruity floral notes and light on the hops.

Very enjoyable. Similar to the excellent King Sue
Jul 28, 2019
Photo of mntlover
Reviewed by mntlover from Tennessee

3.78/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours a hazy dirty yellow, small white bar pour head with good lace. Aroma big fruity deep mango, tangerine, light dankness. Taste is like the nose fruity, overly ripe fruits in the flavor starts out fruity but becomes more overripe with mild dankness. Finish is more herbal grassy like with light lingering grapefruit rind and light alcohol notes that don't distract. Mouthfeel is medium with medium carbonation. Overall not great but good, more of NE hazy fruity style with a more bitter finish in my opinion.
Jul 15, 2019
 
Rated: 4.68 by Stevesousbeer from Massachusetts

Jun 28, 2019
Photo of smcolw
Reviewed by smcolw from Massachusetts

3.77/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Cloudy amber color. Small head, but it contributes to extensive lace.

Weedy hop smell dominates.

Same with the taste--lots of weedy vegetation. The beer becomes quickly bitter. Chewy body with enough carbonation to prevent it from becoming too syrupy. The finish is lip smacking bitter leaving a long aftertaste.
Jun 23, 2019
Photo of LarryV
Reviewed by LarryV from Massachusetts

2.5/5  rDev -39.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Pours a murky yellow with a lot of dark/light floaties, not very appetizing looking. Aroma is pretty nondescript. I don't quite know how to describe the taste other than a muddled mess. It has an odd flavor from all of the different hops used and really isn't very enjoyable, Freshness wise it was about 3 weeks old. Expensive at $15 a 4 pack - I can think of a lot of $10 sixpack beers that blow this away. Flower Child IPA, Greenhead IPA, Jai-Alai - I'd take any of those over this any day. I don't get the high ratings for this beer but I don't particularly care for the style.
May 25, 2019
Hi-Def from Castle Island Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 114 ratings