Big Red Wibby
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

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From:
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
 
United States
Style:
American Amber / Red Ale
ABV:
8.7%
Score:
89
Avg:
4.03 | pDev: 7.69%
Reviews:
14
Ratings:
21
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 07, 2015
Added:
Jan 14, 2009
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  1
No description / notes.
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Ratings by Deuane:
Photo of Deuane
Reviewed by Deuane from Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A-Deep reddish copper with a thin off-white head that reduced a bit and left sticky lacing.

S-Slightly sweet caramel malt infused with citrus. All in all rather light but pleasant.

T-Dry, citrusy punch overlays a healthy caramel malt bill. I am surprised that it never becomes sweet and is in fact quite dry....maybe an addition of rye malt?

M-Medium body, crisp and quite dry. Very sharp and lingering bitterness.

D-Very nice and as a total body of work it comes together well. A nice hop bill with drying rye malt? and plenty of flavour without getting crazy, easy to drink.
Apr 30, 2009
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.69 by stephenjmoore from Maryland

Mar 07, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by DrBier from Pennsylvania

Jul 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Durandal_777 from Pennsylvania

May 16, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by vfgccp from New York

Nov 17, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by BMart from Pennsylvania

Oct 01, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by lccrunchy from Pennsylvania

Oct 01, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by orangesol from Pennsylvania

Nov 16, 2011
Photo of thain709
Reviewed by thain709 from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On-tap during Hop Attack

A - The body was a darker shade of copper with some ruby highlights at the bottom...a one finger, white head was present...decent retention and lacing

S - A very pleasant balance between bright, citrus hop and sweet, caramel malt...right on par for an Amber Ale

T - This follows the nose to a T...the caramel malt starts the beer off with a dose of sweetness...the middle of the beer showcases the citrus hops which a bright and sweet...the two aspects of the beer combine and finish the beer with a balanced bitterness

M - Medium bodied...crisp and dry...a very balanced bitterness

O - I enjoyed this one a little better than it's big brother the Big Rye Wibby...a very balanced Amber Ale which both hops and malts being showcased
Aug 01, 2011
Photo of stakem
Reviewed by stakem from Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap at the Lancaster location on 11/19/10.

Served in a pint, this brew appears a clear deep amber re color with a thin tan cap that recedes quite quick. It leaves lacework all over the glass and a swirl temporarily revives the head.

The aroma is quite bold with hop characteristics that are floral for the most part but also include some citrus. There is a solid amount of caramel malt sweet backing to the nose.

The taste is boldly bitter with a flavor of green leafy hops. The green taste lingers with a bit of a young yeasty note before fading with the onset of the alcohol. The alcohol provides a hefty warming factor to the brew. In the back lingers the taste of sweet toasty caramel malt which provides a solid foundation for the hops and alcohol.

This is a medium bodied brew that edges of being full. Smooth feel but with a resinous cling from the hops that at times is a bit bitey. Paired with the basil cheese tomatoe pizza special, this was a solid winner in my book.
Dec 08, 2010
Photo of akorsak
Reviewed by akorsak from Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Served on-tap at the Lancaster location.

A: The imperial red is a coppery amber color, more brown than red. A ring of head, and its subsequent lace, lingers around through the first third of the pint.

S: The nose is equal parts caramel and hop. The bitterness, as citrusy strong as it is, is nicely matched by the ample malts.

T: The Wibby is imperial but well-balanced. Plenty of citrusy hops linger around, bitter and sweet. They are met, and often overcome, by caramel malts. This isn't am imperial red along the Nugget Nectar line, rather this beer occupies the middle region of the amber ale spectrum, malty with a heavy does of hops.

M: The red ale can't shake its lineage, offering a well-balanced ale that allows both aspects to stand in the spotlight. The balance is nice, even for a hophead like myself.

D: Very drinkable, a bold ale that delivers a nice punch of flavor.
Dec 04, 2010
Photo of Tucquan
Reviewed by Tucquan from Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Had this on 2010-12-01 at the Lancaster brew pub

A- Dark and clear red with a short, tan head.

S - Mild fruit and light roasted grain. Neither my friend nor I were getting much aroma.

T - Dried fruit, toasted bread, caramel, citrus. Sweetish with moderating bitterness and a souring finish that dries out nicely.

M - Medium body, light carbonation. Not creamy or resinous so it's kind of thin.

D - Decent but I wasn't wild about the flavor. Perhaps it's because I had their Abbey's Fault first, which I quite enjoyed. It may have skewed my impression of this beer because this just had less smell, taste and mouthfeel than the Abbey. I'll have to try this one again with a fresh palete.
Dec 02, 2010
Photo of woodychandler
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

4.39/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Live at the Cask Ale Face-Off on Friday, 08 January 2010!

Arrived with a finger of deep-tan head with excellent retention. Color was a very cloudy reddish-brown. This was a very active beer as it sat on the bar, foaming through the opening for the spile and filling the air with very aromatic hops. There was no reason for me to sniff my glass - I could smell it from my vantage point at the bar. Mouthfeel was full with a phenomenal hop bite on the tongue. This would have qualified as an IPA in many southern states. Finish had a lingering taste of hops as though I had been sucking on a pellet. Phew! I know that it might have been too hoppy for some people, but for me it was thoroughly enjoyable. Run right over here and get some for yourself, if it's not too late!
Jan 08, 2010
Photo of McDiddyPop
Reviewed by McDiddyPop from Florida

4.57/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Growler received in a trade with FooFaa. Thanks Dan!

Poured into a pint glass, this monster was a bright red/ copper color with perfect clarity and two fingers of thick off-white head that took forever to settle. The lacing this one leaves behind is downright unbelieveable.

As soon as I cracked the growler, I could smell the delicious hop aroma. At first it reminded me a lot of the aggressive citric bitterness in an Arrogant Bastard. Once this baby opened up, however, I got a sweet grapefruit along with some apricot. Just a great mix of fruity aromas. They should call this an India Red Ale. This beer smells friggin amazing.

Flavor is more of the same. Wonderful balance of dry biting citrus and plenty of sweet apricots to balance things out. Not until Big Red Wibby had I experienced an imperial red ale such as this.

Mouthfeel was a bit slick and oily with some moderate carbonation. Drinkability is unbelieveable- before writing this review I had no idea this was over 8%! Holy hell, I am glad I had someone to split the growler with, otherwise I may have had some trouble getting up this morning.

Thanks again, Dan. This one was truly incredible.
Nov 14, 2009
Photo of Buebie
Reviewed by Buebie from Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Big thanks to Tanger for this growling at the moon Growler!

Strange black rubber tape like material wraps the cap on the growler. Once removed a twist of the cap brings a hiss. Off the pour a big 3'' cream colored head forms up. Thick foam like, slow to recede, leaving a solid cap and plenty of thick globs of sea foam like lace all around.
The color is a transparent red/ amber.
A good appearance score thanks to the wonderful head display, retention and lace.

Aroma of hop oil, fresh cut grass, citrus, pine and clover honey, mixing evenly with malt and caramel rolls. Hops are perfume filled, containing solid floral notes and a full bouquet of several hops coming forward, allowing all to be picked up and enjoyed through the nostrils.

Taste is just as delicious as aroma. Solid hop profile with many different hop varieties being offered. Pine, citric rind peel, aspirin, earthy spice, onions, fresh cut grass...absolutely delicious, but not over the top bitters. Tastes like allot of late additions to the boil keeping the actual ibus low and this beer stays very drinkable. Malt balance is also good, caramel again carying over from the nose, mildly fruity yeast with bready tones. Finishing semi sweet and hop filled, bitters and malt pairing well and lingering well after each swallow.
Is there rye in here?

Mouthfeel is carbonation filled, but no stinging effect, with a mild creaminess. Hop oil like slickness as well.

This is a terrific beer, so drinkable, I just want more of it. This one growler will not be enough.
Nov 08, 2009
Photo of natasharai
Reviewed by natasharai from Minnesota

4.16/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: Poured from a growler with a very large off white super creamy head, it looks like half melted ice cream or whipped cream. It dissipated to a thin layer leaving amazing lacing all down the side of my glass. The beer is a clear orangeish amber-brown color.

Smell: sweet toasted malt, caramel, a little bit of cotton candy, citrus hops, some grapefruit, overall really sweet.

Taste: Sweet caramel, tosted malt, citrus, small amount of pine, nutty, a bit of a floral flavor. Very nice balance of sweet malt and hoppy bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Pretty thick body, a bit syrupy, nice bitter bite, good carbonation, becomes pretty dry, then sweetens up a little bit toward the end to leave a pretty clean palate.

Overall: Pretty good drinkability, finished 1/2 a growler on my own so far. A little sweet up front, but then the hops kick in to calm it down and give it some really nice hop character.

Thanks Greg (Hophead101)!! GREAT growler!!
Nov 07, 2009
Photo of ffejherb
Reviewed by ffejherb from Pennsylvania

4.12/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at Iron Hill Lancaster on 1/31/09.

A - Bronzed ruby red body with modest carbonation and one-finger creamy beige head that settled to about a quarter inch of retention and left lots of sticky lace.

S - Bold citrus hop aroma with spicy notes and a touch of pine. Sweet caramel malt complements the assertive hoppy nose.

T - Aggressive hop flavor with a blend of citrus and piney hops with an emphasis on grapefruit. Some sweet caramel malt swoops in to balance the flavor a bit, but ultimately the hops win. Alcohol is well concealed. Finishes with plenty of hop bitterness.

M - Medium body with a slight surypy texture and vivacious, prickly carbonation on the tongue. Finish is dry with a lingering bitterness on the palate.

D - Similar to Iron Hill Peoenixville's Hoppopotamus. This is a nice hoppy red ale with lots of flavor and a pungent hoppy nose.
Feb 01, 2009
Photo of Kegatron
Reviewed by Kegatron from Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
On tap at the brewpub on 1/23/09. Served into an over sized mugger mug.

Pours a deep coppery amber with a finger or more of full and frothy looking biege colored head. Retention is strong with a rich & creamy layer that leaves huge sticky lacing that just CLINGS to the sides of the mug. The aroma is grassy and floral smelling at first, with a bit of pine cones thrown in for good measure. Very fresh and VERY West Coast smelling. I'm also picking up some lemon zest and a bit of hop spices, as well some toasty sweetness that lies underneath and evens out the aroma. Some light heat emerges as this warms as well.

The taste is an aggressive hop attack up front that just pummels the tongue. This is followed by a zesty flush of citrus character and a solid backbone of bread and caramel that barely keeps the hops in check, but does. The finish is more drier and less sticky than I would have thought and any residual bitterness actually feels pretty clean. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a bit of heft to it but not enough to get it up to fuller feeling. Carbonation is on the pricklier side, which matches up well with the hopppiness of this, and at around 9% the ABV is barely detectable. You could really get in trouble with this stuff.

I was just all around happy with this big and hoppy Red Ale. Tons of well balanced and flavorful West Coast character that stays extremely easy drinking for the big flavors and ABV at work here. Paul and Ryan have come up with yet another awesome hop fix for us. Well done!
Jan 27, 2009
Photo of Hophead101
Reviewed by Hophead101 from Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
wow. had on 1.23.09 at Iron Hill Lancaster.

so I arrived at Iron Hill for a quick lunch. No beer intended for this trip. But I remember a new beer on tap from the head brewer Paul that said the assistant brewer, Wibby, had brewed his first beer.

It looked amazing. A bit darker than I expected for a red - but a clear beautiful beer which had a dark reddish amber color. The smell was awesome. Wasn't expecting the hops that I got. a sweet and oily hop smell was released which was quite nice.

the taste was even better. A great malty amber base that was greeted with a great hoppy taste and finish which left my mouth wanting more. a mild body mouthfeel with an amazing balance of malt and hops took me off guard. this is a pretty amazing beer. Wibby did a fantastic job for his first 'official' beer. one of the better beers from Iron Hill Lancaster.

I could (and did) drink a lot of this beer. these guys at IH Lancaster know what they are doing.
Jan 24, 2009
Photo of DIM
Reviewed by DIM from Pennsylvania

4.11/5  rDev +2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
This is a horribly unfair review to write. I got my first Nugget Nectar of the season on my way home from work yesterday. No time to crack one open though, I had showers to take and errands to run. Damn it. Fortunately, those errands took us close to our local Iron Hill. Surely some pulled pork and great beer would dampen my cravings and lift my spirits. I hadn't been in for a few weeks so I was interested to see what's new. And, what's this? No. It can't be. An imperial amber ale that weighs in at 90 i.b.u.'s.? Sound familiar? "Cruel fate, why do you mock me?!?", I cried as I angrily shook my fist at an invisible entity somewhere above me. "I've been craving steak for months now, and you offer me meatloaf? Damn you, Damn you to hell!" All kidding aside, Paul has been on a roll lately so I was excited to try this one. It definitely is not meatloaf.

a: A perfect cask conditioned pint. Darker than I expected, but with great clarity. It was served to me with a one inch, white frothy cap.

s: A nice balance between the caramel malts and lemony, slightly grassy hops.

t: Here as well, slightly sweet caramel malts up front. A fairly strong grapefruit flavor with some lemon zest comes next before the sharply bitter, grassy finish.

m: Damn near perfect cask texture.

d: I wouldn't have guessed this was 8.7% abv. I'm glad I was able to try this one, especially on cask. Really good stuff from my local I.H.
Jan 15, 2009
Big Red Wibby from Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 21 ratings