Single Hop Imperial IPA (Simcoe)
Flying Dog Brewery
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- American Imperial IPA
- ABV:
- 10%
- Score:
- 91
- Avg:
- 4.08 | pDev: 8.33%
- Reviews:
- 62
- Ratings:
- From:
- Flying Dog Brewery
- Maryland, United States
- Avail:
- Retired (no longer brewed)
- Wants
- 18
- Gots
- 9
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding
Notes:
Reviews: 62
| Ratings: 174
| Log in to view all ratings and sort
Reviews by Ozzylizard:
4.25/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bottle code D76A14 at 40 degrees into imperial pint
Aroma citrusy, primarily grapefruit
Head large (8 cm), off white, frothy, slowly diminishing to a 2-3 mm layer with thick froth islands
Lacing abundant but irregular
Body medium yellow with some hop haze
Flavor begins with a burst of slight astringency typical of pink or red grapefruit, although the grapefruit flavor is absent; no alcohol, no malt, no diacetyl. The astringency quickly fades to a chalky finishing feel. A slight alcohol glow begins in the stomach.
Palate is light to medium body, watery but refreshing, with soft carbonation .
Overall, an easy drinking IPA with the potential to sneak up on one.
668 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bottle code D76A14 at 40 degrees into imperial pint
Aroma citrusy, primarily grapefruit
Head large (8 cm), off white, frothy, slowly diminishing to a 2-3 mm layer with thick froth islands
Lacing abundant but irregular
Body medium yellow with some hop haze
Flavor begins with a burst of slight astringency typical of pink or red grapefruit, although the grapefruit flavor is absent; no alcohol, no malt, no diacetyl. The astringency quickly fades to a chalky finishing feel. A slight alcohol glow begins in the stomach.
Palate is light to medium body, watery but refreshing, with soft carbonation .
Overall, an easy drinking IPA with the potential to sneak up on one.
668 characters
More User Reviews:
3.88/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #55 (August 2011):
Nothing but Simcoe hops (70 IBUs) in this brew, which are used for both bittering and aroma-enhancing properties, and known for their often fruity, piney and woody characteristics. Cloudy golden with a massive creamy white head and impressive lacing. Dank, musty, pine-laden, citrusy nose that has a calming effect if inhaled deeply. Super creamy and light on the palate. Biscuity sweet malts. Earthy. Woody. Warming alcohol. Sticky, oily hops. Tons of pine, resin, grapefruit, citrus rinds and spice. Sticky as hell. Bone-dry with a hint of chalky aspirin. Leafy finish. This is a must-try for hopheads and standout amongst other “single hop” attempts.
717 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #55 (August 2011):
Nothing but Simcoe hops (70 IBUs) in this brew, which are used for both bittering and aroma-enhancing properties, and known for their often fruity, piney and woody characteristics. Cloudy golden with a massive creamy white head and impressive lacing. Dank, musty, pine-laden, citrusy nose that has a calming effect if inhaled deeply. Super creamy and light on the palate. Biscuity sweet malts. Earthy. Woody. Warming alcohol. Sticky, oily hops. Tons of pine, resin, grapefruit, citrus rinds and spice. Sticky as hell. Bone-dry with a hint of chalky aspirin. Leafy finish. This is a must-try for hopheads and standout amongst other “single hop” attempts.
717 characters
3.9/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Super fresh DIPA single hopped with Simcoe no less, the drink before date is 076A14, drink before the 76th day of 2014 I can handle that. Pours a deep crystal clear copper/orange hue with white head brilliant and shining with the light. Perfect intricate lacing left behind. Aromatics give me orange zest, tropical fruit, a touch of alcohol presence and sweet candied malt sugars. Flavor brings layered alcohol with grapefruit notes, big malt presence of sweetness and drying hop layers, it's intense and wonderful at the same time, the 10% alcohol by volume can't run and can't hide. Sugary hops, big hop flavor earthiness, bitterness, rough alcohol seem to collide on the palate with the first few sips and this has no plans on letting up in fact it wants to add some orange/grapefruit peel zest to the mix. Kind of like brushing your teeth with Pine Sol in a good way...I'm in, and I'm drinking and enjoying it. Mouthfeel is full bodied resinous hop oils from the front to back, ample carbonation carries it way too well. Overall a big hoppy single hopped beast of a beer from Flying Dog most will enjoy few will be able to get past the huge beer aspects this brew has to offer.
1,181 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Super fresh DIPA single hopped with Simcoe no less, the drink before date is 076A14, drink before the 76th day of 2014 I can handle that. Pours a deep crystal clear copper/orange hue with white head brilliant and shining with the light. Perfect intricate lacing left behind. Aromatics give me orange zest, tropical fruit, a touch of alcohol presence and sweet candied malt sugars. Flavor brings layered alcohol with grapefruit notes, big malt presence of sweetness and drying hop layers, it's intense and wonderful at the same time, the 10% alcohol by volume can't run and can't hide. Sugary hops, big hop flavor earthiness, bitterness, rough alcohol seem to collide on the palate with the first few sips and this has no plans on letting up in fact it wants to add some orange/grapefruit peel zest to the mix. Kind of like brushing your teeth with Pine Sol in a good way...I'm in, and I'm drinking and enjoying it. Mouthfeel is full bodied resinous hop oils from the front to back, ample carbonation carries it way too well. Overall a big hoppy single hopped beast of a beer from Flying Dog most will enjoy few will be able to get past the huge beer aspects this brew has to offer.
1,181 characters
3.62/5 rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Clear, golden/peachy hue, slim, soon-gone head.
Bright, crisp, vibrant aroma, bursts with potent pine and serious citrus. Lemon, lime, grapefruit aplenty.
All those flavors jump on the palate, explode in the mouth. Big, powerful melange of hoppitude. There is some imbalance, as the alcohol rides a bit too high in this. 10% rings in too loudly, too soon.
I love Simcoes, and enjoy the flavor, but I can't go with the temptation to have another. Not ready for that headache. Will have to save those last 2 bottles for another day.
533 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Clear, golden/peachy hue, slim, soon-gone head.
Bright, crisp, vibrant aroma, bursts with potent pine and serious citrus. Lemon, lime, grapefruit aplenty.
All those flavors jump on the palate, explode in the mouth. Big, powerful melange of hoppitude. There is some imbalance, as the alcohol rides a bit too high in this. 10% rings in too loudly, too soon.
I love Simcoes, and enjoy the flavor, but I can't go with the temptation to have another. Not ready for that headache. Will have to save those last 2 bottles for another day.
533 characters
4.1/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A very nice beer. Pours a cloudy orange-ish color with a fluffy off-white head. Aroma is decidedly hoppy, and citrus sweet. I have brewed several batches with Simcoe, but didn't associate my results with the sweaty-sweet hop good-flavors of this beer...no matter, it tastes good, so I'll drink it.
A very drinkable 10% ABV beer.
Got this beer from their "Alpha" 12-pack, graciously delivered from MD by my Dad.
412 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A very nice beer. Pours a cloudy orange-ish color with a fluffy off-white head. Aroma is decidedly hoppy, and citrus sweet. I have brewed several batches with Simcoe, but didn't associate my results with the sweaty-sweet hop good-flavors of this beer...no matter, it tastes good, so I'll drink it.
A very drinkable 10% ABV beer.
Got this beer from their "Alpha" 12-pack, graciously delivered from MD by my Dad.
412 characters
4.3/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On cask at Max's today.
The beer pours an orange amber color with very good head retention and decent lacing. The nose is all simcoe goodness, with skunky dry citrus, wet tobacco, and light pine. The flavor profile replicates the nose, but there's just so much more of everything. There's some light sweet malt up front, but it's quickly overwhelmed by the simcoe hop goodness, which quickly dries this beer our. The finish is long, skunky, dry and bitter. Mouthfeel is medium bodied at most, with a smooth, somewhat creamy, intensely bitter finish.
Just an excellent DIPA, and one where the cask conditioning does not detract at all from the beer's flavor profile. Good stuff...
682 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On cask at Max's today.
The beer pours an orange amber color with very good head retention and decent lacing. The nose is all simcoe goodness, with skunky dry citrus, wet tobacco, and light pine. The flavor profile replicates the nose, but there's just so much more of everything. There's some light sweet malt up front, but it's quickly overwhelmed by the simcoe hop goodness, which quickly dries this beer our. The finish is long, skunky, dry and bitter. Mouthfeel is medium bodied at most, with a smooth, somewhat creamy, intensely bitter finish.
Just an excellent DIPA, and one where the cask conditioning does not detract at all from the beer's flavor profile. Good stuff...
682 characters
3.39/5 rDev -16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Batch 2. Best before August 27th 2011.
The colour is gold with hints of red - brighter than their pale ale is which was a bit unexpected. The liquid is clear. The two-finger thick warm white foam is durable and compact; it leaves a lot of lacing on the glass.
The scent is not as strong as I hoped. It is surely noticeable, but it does not fill the room like some DIPA can/should do. I note a sweet tone somewhere between honey and resin. A soft yet strong bitterness, notions of alcohol and bitter orange. A most unexpected note of onions and garlic are also present in the background. I fould some pineapple and pickled apricots, too.
The taste is classic American DIPA: Sweet citrus fruit, tree sap and exotic fruits, a solid (if not overwhelming) bitterness and some alcohol. There are big flavours, at times a little heavy. The sweetness is quite strong, but soft and balanced. It is at all balanced, and nothing stands out: Very well done for a single hop beer. Slightly earthy notes in the aftertaste, like some fresh garlic that comes and goes. Perhaps the bitterness feels a bit tired after a few sips. Otherwise it's mandarins, limes and oranges in a nice mix. In the finish the dry tones of alcohol and honey.
Carbon dioxide is moderate, the many small bubbles soft. The liquid is medium-light and the somewhat sticky.
A very well crafted and complex single-hop DIPA, that may have lost some bitterness during the time since it was bottled, but it sticks together well.
1,486 characters
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Batch 2. Best before August 27th 2011.
The colour is gold with hints of red - brighter than their pale ale is which was a bit unexpected. The liquid is clear. The two-finger thick warm white foam is durable and compact; it leaves a lot of lacing on the glass.
The scent is not as strong as I hoped. It is surely noticeable, but it does not fill the room like some DIPA can/should do. I note a sweet tone somewhere between honey and resin. A soft yet strong bitterness, notions of alcohol and bitter orange. A most unexpected note of onions and garlic are also present in the background. I fould some pineapple and pickled apricots, too.
The taste is classic American DIPA: Sweet citrus fruit, tree sap and exotic fruits, a solid (if not overwhelming) bitterness and some alcohol. There are big flavours, at times a little heavy. The sweetness is quite strong, but soft and balanced. It is at all balanced, and nothing stands out: Very well done for a single hop beer. Slightly earthy notes in the aftertaste, like some fresh garlic that comes and goes. Perhaps the bitterness feels a bit tired after a few sips. Otherwise it's mandarins, limes and oranges in a nice mix. In the finish the dry tones of alcohol and honey.
Carbon dioxide is moderate, the many small bubbles soft. The liquid is medium-light and the somewhat sticky.
A very well crafted and complex single-hop DIPA, that may have lost some bitterness during the time since it was bottled, but it sticks together well.
1,486 characters
3.95/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Single hop beer from Flying dog, interesting. Beer is copper and clear with a nice white head of small and medium bubbles that leaves som lacing on the glass. Carbonation is low.
Aroma is hoppy, piny and some surprising citrus. Simcoe can get this harshness to it, almost earthy grassiness but I don't get that here.
Beer has a decent but not overpowering backbone of malt. The hops are present in the mid and late palate regions, moderate bitterness, nice moderate finish and some fruitiness in the midpalate. The double simcoe from weyerbacher was much more piny than this. Its almost citrusy in the palate. Its a decent IPA.
629 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Single hop beer from Flying dog, interesting. Beer is copper and clear with a nice white head of small and medium bubbles that leaves som lacing on the glass. Carbonation is low.
Aroma is hoppy, piny and some surprising citrus. Simcoe can get this harshness to it, almost earthy grassiness but I don't get that here.
Beer has a decent but not overpowering backbone of malt. The hops are present in the mid and late palate regions, moderate bitterness, nice moderate finish and some fruitiness in the midpalate. The double simcoe from weyerbacher was much more piny than this. Its almost citrusy in the palate. Its a decent IPA.
629 characters
3.71/5 rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a clear burnt orange/amber color with a sturdy two inch head; nice stickage, with a few shards of lacing left behind
Smell: Very piney with some caramel tones underneath
Taste: A rather malty start, with shortbread and toffee elements; in the middle, the Simcoe hops drop a bomb on the taste buds bringing waves of pine; after the swallow, the beer gets really bitter and resinous, with a lot of fusel alcohol in the finish; the aftertaste takes it up yet another notch
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation; considerable warmth in the gullet
Overall: I was expecting to really enjoy this beer but I am not a fan of the extreme bitterness and the high ABV level of this one
706 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a clear burnt orange/amber color with a sturdy two inch head; nice stickage, with a few shards of lacing left behind
Smell: Very piney with some caramel tones underneath
Taste: A rather malty start, with shortbread and toffee elements; in the middle, the Simcoe hops drop a bomb on the taste buds bringing waves of pine; after the swallow, the beer gets really bitter and resinous, with a lot of fusel alcohol in the finish; the aftertaste takes it up yet another notch
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation; considerable warmth in the gullet
Overall: I was expecting to really enjoy this beer but I am not a fan of the extreme bitterness and the high ABV level of this one
706 characters
4.2/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This beer came in a 12 pack sampler. The bottle reads that this is "Batch 2" and is hopped with only Simcoe hops.
The beer pour a copper-orange color. Very light head on top, though good carbonation throughout.
The aroma is delightful and well-balanced. Citrus right off the bat, along with faint pine, honey, lilies, and wet grass. Quite rich.
The flavor is also quite rich. It starts off with a nice sweetness and flavors of honey and citrus. As it continues, there is a nice bitter bite on the back of the tongue, almost puckering. The finish is somewhat metallic, though not necessarily undesirable. The hefty hop flavor dominates the palate, but the beer actually tastes quite crisp with the 10 percent ABV hiding well underneath (though becoming more noticeable and warming on the way down).
Overall, this is a fine beer, and an excellent example of the style. I really like the single hopping (experiment?) that is showing up in these 12 packs (not sure if this is available outside the 12 pack). The flavor is rich, an the beer is wonderful.
1,054 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This beer came in a 12 pack sampler. The bottle reads that this is "Batch 2" and is hopped with only Simcoe hops.
The beer pour a copper-orange color. Very light head on top, though good carbonation throughout.
The aroma is delightful and well-balanced. Citrus right off the bat, along with faint pine, honey, lilies, and wet grass. Quite rich.
The flavor is also quite rich. It starts off with a nice sweetness and flavors of honey and citrus. As it continues, there is a nice bitter bite on the back of the tongue, almost puckering. The finish is somewhat metallic, though not necessarily undesirable. The hefty hop flavor dominates the palate, but the beer actually tastes quite crisp with the 10 percent ABV hiding well underneath (though becoming more noticeable and warming on the way down).
Overall, this is a fine beer, and an excellent example of the style. I really like the single hopping (experiment?) that is showing up in these 12 packs (not sure if this is available outside the 12 pack). The flavor is rich, an the beer is wonderful.
1,054 characters
4.32/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A= deep golden with a fair head and lacing, pooling and rimming that never quits.
S= Glorious hos florals! Subjectively, it brings back memoroes of rain puddles in clay earth--- odd. Very floral yet earthy-musty. I say that in a positive way. Plenty of nose-wrenching sniffing here. Sweaty t-shirts after a great workout. Very plentiful earthy hops florals.
T= nice malts and extrenely nice Simcoe hops, not overly pine or grapefruit as publicized on their website. Much as I describe in the scents.
M= thick malts and extreme Sincoe hops working together, something to savor.
O= a very powerful brew, very hops dominated yet generous malts in balance.
656 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A= deep golden with a fair head and lacing, pooling and rimming that never quits.
S= Glorious hos florals! Subjectively, it brings back memoroes of rain puddles in clay earth--- odd. Very floral yet earthy-musty. I say that in a positive way. Plenty of nose-wrenching sniffing here. Sweaty t-shirts after a great workout. Very plentiful earthy hops florals.
T= nice malts and extrenely nice Simcoe hops, not overly pine or grapefruit as publicized on their website. Much as I describe in the scents.
M= thick malts and extreme Sincoe hops working together, something to savor.
O= a very powerful brew, very hops dominated yet generous malts in balance.
656 characters
4.15/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pale amber, tall creamy off white head, fantastic lacing, very cloudy. Better than average head retention.
Aroma: Grapefuit, pine, grassy.
Flavor: Strong, bitter hops. Some grapefruit, but mostly pine. The bitterness doesn't linger too long, the finish is pale/amber malt. 10% alcohol and no hint of alcohol, goes to show how strong the Simcoe hops are.
Mouthfeel: Medium body. A bit of astringency. Seems almost oily at the start, but quickly turns to the dry side. Medium carbonation, which helps to lighten up to impact of the bitter hops.
Overall Impression: They went out on a limb here to make a single hop Imperial IPA with Simcoe, one of the more bitter varieties. There is surprisingly good balance here. It is bitter upfront, but changes to sweet malt. Imperial IPA's are one of my favorite styles, but I couldn't see drinking more than 12 ounces of this brew in one sitting. Bell's Hopslam I could drink all day. Right from the get-go I put this in the experimental category, so in that aspect it lives up to my expectations (and then some).
1,069 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pale amber, tall creamy off white head, fantastic lacing, very cloudy. Better than average head retention.
Aroma: Grapefuit, pine, grassy.
Flavor: Strong, bitter hops. Some grapefruit, but mostly pine. The bitterness doesn't linger too long, the finish is pale/amber malt. 10% alcohol and no hint of alcohol, goes to show how strong the Simcoe hops are.
Mouthfeel: Medium body. A bit of astringency. Seems almost oily at the start, but quickly turns to the dry side. Medium carbonation, which helps to lighten up to impact of the bitter hops.
Overall Impression: They went out on a limb here to make a single hop Imperial IPA with Simcoe, one of the more bitter varieties. There is surprisingly good balance here. It is bitter upfront, but changes to sweet malt. Imperial IPA's are one of my favorite styles, but I couldn't see drinking more than 12 ounces of this brew in one sitting. Bell's Hopslam I could drink all day. Right from the get-go I put this in the experimental category, so in that aspect it lives up to my expectations (and then some).
1,069 characters
4.5/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.79/5 rDev +17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Wow. The simcoe comes right out of this and hits you in the nose. If you are a hop head, this is for you. If not, stay away.
This is my style, and I can be critical of ones that are not really good. This one is really good. It needs no excuses. It is everything an American Double should be and more. Well done.
313 characters
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Wow. The simcoe comes right out of this and hits you in the nose. If you are a hop head, this is for you. If not, stay away.
This is my style, and I can be critical of ones that are not really good. This one is really good. It needs no excuses. It is everything an American Double should be and more. Well done.
313 characters
4.1/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Light golden/amber/honey color with a thin, soft white head.
Aromas of citrus and pine.
Nice off-dry biscuity fruity flavor offset by a pronounced grapefruit and pine simco hoppy goodness. Further sips reveal some sweet citrus/ orange blossom/ peel that carries through to the finish.
For 10%abv this really masked it's strength well - I was fearing big hot alcohol flavors but found little to none. An impressive feat.
A little more alcohol comes out as you go along, but still very tame relative to the abv.
514 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Light golden/amber/honey color with a thin, soft white head.
Aromas of citrus and pine.
Nice off-dry biscuity fruity flavor offset by a pronounced grapefruit and pine simco hoppy goodness. Further sips reveal some sweet citrus/ orange blossom/ peel that carries through to the finish.
For 10%abv this really masked it's strength well - I was fearing big hot alcohol flavors but found little to none. An impressive feat.
A little more alcohol comes out as you go along, but still very tame relative to the abv.
514 characters
4.01/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Love the nose on this one. Strong pine and some resin on there as well. Really hypes my anticipation for the flavor; which is firm. Pine and resin are definitely in there with strong and boisterous tones. A bit much really in that it lacks balance and brings more a punch to the mouth. The punch is still good, but it is an overbearing beer to some extents. The feel is thick and almost syrup like. Carbonation is aggressive. A good example of a simcoe-only beer, but screams and shouts as opposed to bringing balance.
518 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Love the nose on this one. Strong pine and some resin on there as well. Really hypes my anticipation for the flavor; which is firm. Pine and resin are definitely in there with strong and boisterous tones. A bit much really in that it lacks balance and brings more a punch to the mouth. The punch is still good, but it is an overbearing beer to some extents. The feel is thick and almost syrup like. Carbonation is aggressive. A good example of a simcoe-only beer, but screams and shouts as opposed to bringing balance.
518 characters
Single Hop Imperial IPA (Simcoe) from Flying Dog Brewery
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
174 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