Illumination
Central Waters Brewing Co.
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- IPA - Imperial
Ranked #1,781 - ABV:
- 9%
- Score:
- 91
Ranked #4,946 - Avg:
- 4.06 | pDev: 9.61%
- Reviews:
- 274
- Ratings:
- From:
- Central Waters Brewing Co.
- Wisconsin, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 96
- Gots
- 97
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding
Notes:
Can you say palate wrecker? This double India pale ale is our version of a mouthful of hops. Full of Centennial, Chinook and Simcoe hops, it is as hoppy as a beer gets.
Reviews: 274
| Ratings: 942
| Log in to view all ratings and sort
Reviews by CraftBeerBrotha:
More User Reviews:
beergoot from Colorado
4.13/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Clear, orange body; fine carbonation bubbles; creamy, sticky white head; sheets of foam clinging to the inside of the glass. A very nice citrus and pine aroma. Nice malt base provides a solid foundation for a robust hop bitterness; some citrus rind flavors; kind of peppery. Medium body; coarse and tingly on the tongue; mostly dry finish.
This beer delivers the goods for a powerfully hopped beer. Well-rounded and quite drinkable even with the 9% ABV. Good stuff.
Apr 05, 2018
4.13/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Clear, orange body; fine carbonation bubbles; creamy, sticky white head; sheets of foam clinging to the inside of the glass. A very nice citrus and pine aroma. Nice malt base provides a solid foundation for a robust hop bitterness; some citrus rind flavors; kind of peppery. Medium body; coarse and tingly on the tongue; mostly dry finish.
This beer delivers the goods for a powerfully hopped beer. Well-rounded and quite drinkable even with the 9% ABV. Good stuff.
Apr 05, 2018
Axic10 from New Jersey
4/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Received as an extra in a trade with BarrytheBear. Poured into a standard pint glass.
Appearance: Pours a hazy amber with a thin layer of head.
Smell: Not as hoppy as I thought it would be. Pleasant grapefruit, pineapple and mango aroma mixed with a very nice smelling malt aroma.
Taste: Taste is similar to the nose. Heavy citrus flavors of grapefruit, pineapple and mango. Aftertaste is a mix of hoppy bitterness mixed with malty sweetness.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a dry finish.
Drinkability: Very good DIPA that was a pleasant surprise. I would pick up more of this if I could. Probably one of the better Midwest DIPAs I've had.
Jul 05, 2010
4/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Received as an extra in a trade with BarrytheBear. Poured into a standard pint glass.
Appearance: Pours a hazy amber with a thin layer of head.
Smell: Not as hoppy as I thought it would be. Pleasant grapefruit, pineapple and mango aroma mixed with a very nice smelling malt aroma.
Taste: Taste is similar to the nose. Heavy citrus flavors of grapefruit, pineapple and mango. Aftertaste is a mix of hoppy bitterness mixed with malty sweetness.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a dry finish.
Drinkability: Very good DIPA that was a pleasant surprise. I would pick up more of this if I could. Probably one of the better Midwest DIPAs I've had.
Jul 05, 2010
UMNbeerhunter from Minnesota
4.35/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a Darkness Tulip on 5/9/11.
Pours a deep hazy golden yellow with a huge frothy white head that takes a bit to dissipate leaving some very pretty lacing all over the glass. The color is a little off but the head and lacing is beautiful.
Smells of citrus and pine as well as a nice sweet malt backbone that sneaks into your nose in the end. Malts are a carmel sweetness. Nice smell but I would have like a little more sweetness in the malt character to balance out the pine and citrus but it does smell very nice.
Taste is much like the smell with lots of pine and citrus hops. The sweet malt character is more apparent in the taste especially as the brew warms. Booze is almost non existent in the taste with just the slightest alcohol burn at the end of the swallow.
Mouthfeel is light in weight with a nice pine resin that sits on your lips and the roof of your mouth. Has the slightest bite on the front of the tongue at first but fades quickly, bitterness is well done.
Overall I am really impressed with this beer. I wasn't really expecting much but I was blown away. Its not very complex and I would have liked to see just a bit more sweetness in this to balance the huge hop notes and the high ABV gives it a hit as well though you can't even taste it. Great job CW.
May 10, 2011
4.35/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a Darkness Tulip on 5/9/11.
Pours a deep hazy golden yellow with a huge frothy white head that takes a bit to dissipate leaving some very pretty lacing all over the glass. The color is a little off but the head and lacing is beautiful.
Smells of citrus and pine as well as a nice sweet malt backbone that sneaks into your nose in the end. Malts are a carmel sweetness. Nice smell but I would have like a little more sweetness in the malt character to balance out the pine and citrus but it does smell very nice.
Taste is much like the smell with lots of pine and citrus hops. The sweet malt character is more apparent in the taste especially as the brew warms. Booze is almost non existent in the taste with just the slightest alcohol burn at the end of the swallow.
Mouthfeel is light in weight with a nice pine resin that sits on your lips and the roof of your mouth. Has the slightest bite on the front of the tongue at first but fades quickly, bitterness is well done.
Overall I am really impressed with this beer. I wasn't really expecting much but I was blown away. Its not very complex and I would have liked to see just a bit more sweetness in this to balance the huge hop notes and the high ABV gives it a hit as well though you can't even taste it. Great job CW.
May 10, 2011
eldoctorador from Chile
3/5 rDev -26.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Mar 27, 2016
3/5 rDev -26.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Mar 27, 2016
rmalinowski4 from Illinois
4.27/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a hazy golden orange color with a two finger off white head. The head recedes slowly leaving lots of sticky lacing.
Smell is citrus, pine, and some underlying malt sweetness. The citrus is orange, tangerine, and pineapple. Simply smells great.
The tase is earthy pine resin leading into a bready malt sweetness. There is some underlying citrus flavor, but is is not a prevalent as in the nose. This is not bad, but it would be better if there was more citrus.
The mouthfeel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation, very nice for the style. It is not to thick, but it is not thin. It is smooth and easy to drink.
Overall this is a good DIPA, but it would be better if it tasted like it smelled. I would have this again, it is a good and flavorful DIPA.
May 21, 2011
4.27/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a hazy golden orange color with a two finger off white head. The head recedes slowly leaving lots of sticky lacing.
Smell is citrus, pine, and some underlying malt sweetness. The citrus is orange, tangerine, and pineapple. Simply smells great.
The tase is earthy pine resin leading into a bready malt sweetness. There is some underlying citrus flavor, but is is not a prevalent as in the nose. This is not bad, but it would be better if there was more citrus.
The mouthfeel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation, very nice for the style. It is not to thick, but it is not thin. It is smooth and easy to drink.
Overall this is a good DIPA, but it would be better if it tasted like it smelled. I would have this again, it is a good and flavorful DIPA.
May 21, 2011
CraigP83 from Minnesota
4.71/5 rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Vibrant tangerine color with solid fluffy head, looks great. Smell is more piney followed by some citrus, again very well done. Smoothest DIPA I've encountered but has resinous hops linger. Completely dangerous at its ABV. It's a winner
Apr 07, 2015
4.71/5 rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Vibrant tangerine color with solid fluffy head, looks great. Smell is more piney followed by some citrus, again very well done. Smoothest DIPA I've encountered but has resinous hops linger. Completely dangerous at its ABV. It's a winner
Apr 07, 2015
d5001986 from Wisconsin
3.77/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Jul 05, 2015
3.77/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Jul 05, 2015
happydrunk
3.56/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Jul 09, 2015
3.56/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Jul 09, 2015
Gtreid from Florida
4.33/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12 oz. bottle poured into a pint glass.
A: Clear, deep, orange color. The pour dropped a fluffy two finger head that left tons of sticky lace.
A: Sweet hop resin, orange, grapefruit, pine sap, and crystal malt. The nose favors the hop profile rather well, while still maintaining a healthy malt balance.
T: More sweet hop resin. Huge notes of orange and other citrus. Sweet caramel malt balances the brew well. It is sweet in the front, and finishes bitter with a noticable alcohol heat.
M: Medium to full body. Pretty agressive carbonation. Really nice for the style.
O: This is a surprisingly good beer. I was expecting a soild brew, but got much more. The nose is that of Hopslam, and the taste is that of Double Trouble. This is a fantastic example of a DIPA, and one that shouldn't be missed. Central Waters is putting out great brews, I am glad I'm in Wisconsin this week, so I can stock up. Skal.
Apr 12, 2011
4.33/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12 oz. bottle poured into a pint glass.
A: Clear, deep, orange color. The pour dropped a fluffy two finger head that left tons of sticky lace.
A: Sweet hop resin, orange, grapefruit, pine sap, and crystal malt. The nose favors the hop profile rather well, while still maintaining a healthy malt balance.
T: More sweet hop resin. Huge notes of orange and other citrus. Sweet caramel malt balances the brew well. It is sweet in the front, and finishes bitter with a noticable alcohol heat.
M: Medium to full body. Pretty agressive carbonation. Really nice for the style.
O: This is a surprisingly good beer. I was expecting a soild brew, but got much more. The nose is that of Hopslam, and the taste is that of Double Trouble. This is a fantastic example of a DIPA, and one that shouldn't be missed. Central Waters is putting out great brews, I am glad I'm in Wisconsin this week, so I can stock up. Skal.
Apr 12, 2011
vfgccp from New York
4.11/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A - Chunky haze in a dried apricot brown body. Nice, fine white head has good retention and lace.
S - Citrusy on the first pour, with more plant-forward notes as the beer sits. Pine, dandelion.
T - Bitter and herbal with cilantro and rosemary. Lemon zest and waxy resin bitters on the backend. Clean and light with a dry finish.
M - Crisp like body for the style. Par carbonation.
O - A really nice DIPA. Light and dry for the style, perfect for the summer.
May 29, 2014
4.11/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A - Chunky haze in a dried apricot brown body. Nice, fine white head has good retention and lace.
S - Citrusy on the first pour, with more plant-forward notes as the beer sits. Pine, dandelion.
T - Bitter and herbal with cilantro and rosemary. Lemon zest and waxy resin bitters on the backend. Clean and light with a dry finish.
M - Crisp like body for the style. Par carbonation.
O - A really nice DIPA. Light and dry for the style, perfect for the summer.
May 29, 2014
-Rick from Massachusetts
3.98/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
May 27, 2015
3.98/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
May 27, 2015
DavoleBomb from Pennsylvania
3.95/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured into a snifter.
4.0 A: Well hazed orange amber color. Two fingers of frothy off-white head. Retention is about average and lots of lacing is left.
4.0 S: Big citrusy hoppiness with orange leading the pack. Pineapple and grapefruit to follow. Clean malts with a light crystal malt vibe.
4.0 T: Like the nose, this is clean and drinkable. It's not too sweet or too bitter. It's just right. Citrusy hops again - orange, pineapple, grapefruit. Some pine as well. Light crystal maltiness with a moderate sweetness.
3.5 M: Heavier medium body. Good moderate carbonation. Could be a bit creamier, but good enough here.
4.0 D: Solid DIPA. Easy to drink and with good flavors.
Jul 12, 2012
3.95/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured into a snifter.
4.0 A: Well hazed orange amber color. Two fingers of frothy off-white head. Retention is about average and lots of lacing is left.
4.0 S: Big citrusy hoppiness with orange leading the pack. Pineapple and grapefruit to follow. Clean malts with a light crystal malt vibe.
4.0 T: Like the nose, this is clean and drinkable. It's not too sweet or too bitter. It's just right. Citrusy hops again - orange, pineapple, grapefruit. Some pine as well. Light crystal maltiness with a moderate sweetness.
3.5 M: Heavier medium body. Good moderate carbonation. Could be a bit creamier, but good enough here.
4.0 D: Solid DIPA. Easy to drink and with good flavors.
Jul 12, 2012
DeschutesNut from North Dakota
4.77/5 rDev +17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
A-Pour yielded a golden amber color with an off white, two to three finger head that leaves thick lacing.
S-Smells of pineapple and mango and some light malt noted with a bit of pine.
T-Bitter and pine in the forfront with some very ripe pineapple and a slight hint of alcohol.
M-Refreashing mouth with light body and a medium to high amount of prickly carbonation.
D-Love this beer. Im gonna go out and say this. My favorite DIPA out there. Well that I have tasted. Cant wait till next year.
Jul 08, 2011
4.77/5 rDev +17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
A-Pour yielded a golden amber color with an off white, two to three finger head that leaves thick lacing.
S-Smells of pineapple and mango and some light malt noted with a bit of pine.
T-Bitter and pine in the forfront with some very ripe pineapple and a slight hint of alcohol.
M-Refreashing mouth with light body and a medium to high amount of prickly carbonation.
D-Love this beer. Im gonna go out and say this. My favorite DIPA out there. Well that I have tasted. Cant wait till next year.
Jul 08, 2011
KeefD from Minnesota
4.35/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a hazy tangerine orange color with a two finger white head that stuck around for awhile with nice sheets of lacing down the glass - probably helped that I drank it so fast! Aroma is big time citrus goodness, plenty of orange and pineapple (my favorite hop aroma in DIPAs), malts barely make themselves known, and thank goodness there isn't much of pepper spiciness that I detest in some versions of this style. Great flavor on this brew! Hops are citrusy, with flavors of orange, grapefruit, light pine, and a touch of medicinal qualities on the dry finish. Again, as in the nose, malts are hard to detect, but what does make it's way out can be described as crackerish and bready, light sweetness, and maybe could be amped up a touch for balance. Body is medium, but is bit alcoholic and hot on the finish which makes the body seem lighter than it is. That being said, I've been gulping this thing down awfully fast despite the 9%. Good, drinkable, high ABV DIPA here. Nice job CW!
Jun 29, 2010
4.35/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a hazy tangerine orange color with a two finger white head that stuck around for awhile with nice sheets of lacing down the glass - probably helped that I drank it so fast! Aroma is big time citrus goodness, plenty of orange and pineapple (my favorite hop aroma in DIPAs), malts barely make themselves known, and thank goodness there isn't much of pepper spiciness that I detest in some versions of this style. Great flavor on this brew! Hops are citrusy, with flavors of orange, grapefruit, light pine, and a touch of medicinal qualities on the dry finish. Again, as in the nose, malts are hard to detect, but what does make it's way out can be described as crackerish and bready, light sweetness, and maybe could be amped up a touch for balance. Body is medium, but is bit alcoholic and hot on the finish which makes the body seem lighter than it is. That being said, I've been gulping this thing down awfully fast despite the 9%. Good, drinkable, high ABV DIPA here. Nice job CW!
Jun 29, 2010
Illumination from Central Waters Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
942 ratings
0 characters. We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with ≥ 150 characters.
Explain why you're giving this rating. Your review must discuss the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) and your overall impression in order to indicate that you have legitimately tried the beer. Nonconstructive reviews may be removed without notice and action may be taken on your account.
Close