Wildcat India Pale Ale | Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company & Taproom
Brewed by:
Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company & Taproom
Washington, United States | website
Style: American IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.60%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by xlperro on 04-12-2002
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 139 | Ratings: 223
3.29/5 rDev -18.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Dark gold color, good 3/4" white head with above average lacing to it. Aroma was just soapy bitter cascade hops.
Taste had plenty of bitterness, nugget, cascade, chinook, maybe even simcoe I'd guess, all the bittering hops here. Not my favorite format, but very affordable nonetheless in the bomber for a standard ipa with no frills.
★ 338 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Dark gold color, good 3/4" white head with above average lacing to it. Aroma was just soapy bitter cascade hops.
Taste had plenty of bitterness, nugget, cascade, chinook, maybe even simcoe I'd guess, all the bittering hops here. Not my favorite format, but very affordable nonetheless in the bomber for a standard ipa with no frills.
★ 338 characters
4.63/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Very, very good.
Nice creamy, thick head; Foamy, not bubbly. Laces glass for its entirety. Pale sweet copper color. Smells like a million dollars; flowers, hops, buttery biscuit. Taste follows. Upfront bitterness, buttered toast, bitterness lingers pleasantly on the finish like cilantro. Feels thick and creamy but not too heavy.
This is an overall amazing IPA imo. And very affordable at 5 bucks a bomber at Gravity beer market in Olympia makes this a go-to IPA.
★ 467 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Very, very good.
Nice creamy, thick head; Foamy, not bubbly. Laces glass for its entirety. Pale sweet copper color. Smells like a million dollars; flowers, hops, buttery biscuit. Taste follows. Upfront bitterness, buttered toast, bitterness lingers pleasantly on the finish like cilantro. Feels thick and creamy but not too heavy.
This is an overall amazing IPA imo. And very affordable at 5 bucks a bomber at Gravity beer market in Olympia makes this a go-to IPA.
★ 467 characters
3.19/5 rDev -20.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.5
Pours a orange-tinged amber in the big Duvel tulip. Plenty of foam and even some lacing in the glass. Pleasantly sudsy mouthfeel. Toasted malt aroma with some resiny hops.
The malt flavors start this out promisingly. It turns out to be more thin and sharp, though there is some malty body. Bitter and barky. It's quite acidic. There is some flowery and piney hop aromatics. Mostly the grapefruit pith takes over.
Overall, this is insanely hopped and I find it barely drinkable. It may, however, please the hard-bitten hop fanatic. From the 22 oz bottle purchased at Pioneer Market in La Conner.
★ 596 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.5
Pours a orange-tinged amber in the big Duvel tulip. Plenty of foam and even some lacing in the glass. Pleasantly sudsy mouthfeel. Toasted malt aroma with some resiny hops.
The malt flavors start this out promisingly. It turns out to be more thin and sharp, though there is some malty body. Bitter and barky. It's quite acidic. There is some flowery and piney hop aromatics. Mostly the grapefruit pith takes over.
Overall, this is insanely hopped and I find it barely drinkable. It may, however, please the hard-bitten hop fanatic. From the 22 oz bottle purchased at Pioneer Market in La Conner.
★ 596 characters
4.28/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
The Wild Cat is a Pacific Northwest "reliable" when it comes to a legit IPA. . . Some might consider a trailblazer for the NWPA movement we are having up here in this region. It pours darker than your standard IPA, boasting a very inviting fragrance from a good combo dose of its hops. Consider it foreplay, because the taste/mouthfeel knows how to put the screws in with a sinister "hop-bite" that leaves you wanting more. . . So be careful ; )
They sell the makings of this IPA in a very user-friendly brewers kit that my father-in-law and I just tossed together while enjoying a growler of it. Hope the results of labor prove as delicious as what made us want to buy it in the first place.
★ 693 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
The Wild Cat is a Pacific Northwest "reliable" when it comes to a legit IPA. . . Some might consider a trailblazer for the NWPA movement we are having up here in this region. It pours darker than your standard IPA, boasting a very inviting fragrance from a good combo dose of its hops. Consider it foreplay, because the taste/mouthfeel knows how to put the screws in with a sinister "hop-bite" that leaves you wanting more. . . So be careful ; )
They sell the makings of this IPA in a very user-friendly brewers kit that my father-in-law and I just tossed together while enjoying a growler of it. Hope the results of labor prove as delicious as what made us want to buy it in the first place.
★ 693 characters
4.18/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A great Northwest IPA, just as the bottle stated. Big earthy and citrusy hops with a clean, dry and nutty malt backbone from a clean yet slightly tart yeast character. Bright gold with a big, rocky white head leaves globs of lacing on the glass make for quite the appearance as well. Exactly the kind of IPA I want while I am in the Northwest.
★ 343 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A great Northwest IPA, just as the bottle stated. Big earthy and citrusy hops with a clean, dry and nutty malt backbone from a clean yet slightly tart yeast character. Bright gold with a big, rocky white head leaves globs of lacing on the glass make for quite the appearance as well. Exactly the kind of IPA I want while I am in the Northwest.
★ 343 characters
3.21/5 rDev -20.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
The bitterness is way out front, I proves as you get past the first few taste. This beer just needs a good cheeseburger to go with it, Alone it is for those who like to max out on the bitter end. Probably taste much better high up in Snoqualmie. Take it to a friends and see what they think!
★ 291 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
The bitterness is way out front, I proves as you get past the first few taste. This beer just needs a good cheeseburger to go with it, Alone it is for those who like to max out on the bitter end. Probably taste much better high up in Snoqualmie. Take it to a friends and see what they think!
★ 291 characters
3.8/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Clear olden colour. Small, tight, offwhite head. Decent head retention. Great lacing.
Dank hop aroma. Not clearly citrusy. More musty and earthy and resinous. Light malt in the background.
A very American style IPA. Focused on hop resin, bitterness and pine. Little malt, light grapefruit and moderate pine. Good.
Medium body with moderate carbonation.
A solid American IPA. Less floral and fruity than many but it works well.
★ 434 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Clear olden colour. Small, tight, offwhite head. Decent head retention. Great lacing.
Dank hop aroma. Not clearly citrusy. More musty and earthy and resinous. Light malt in the background.
A very American style IPA. Focused on hop resin, bitterness and pine. Little malt, light grapefruit and moderate pine. Good.
Medium body with moderate carbonation.
A solid American IPA. Less floral and fruity than many but it works well.
★ 434 characters
4/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From notes. Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into a tulip.
My pour is a dark golden orange color, with a slight haze that informs me it was bottle conditioned.
The aroma has a medium to strong bitterness, with a floral bouquet, some grapefruit pith, and a lingering earthiness.
From the first sip on there is a nice, building bitterness that incorporates a few different flavors. Some juicy grapefruit hops also seem to have a starkly bitter grapefruit rind flavor to accompany them. Mainly the flavor is a strong, resiny, earthy hop flavor, with a lightly spicy pine presence in the background. Although not immediately noticeable, a caramel malt presence works into the mix without ever becoming very sweet. The finish is fairly clean.
There is a definite balance between juicy and dry hops, and the malt only slightly tilts this balance with the sweetness. On the other hand, even though it is moderately dry, the body is on the full side, and there is a full, rich, creamy carbonation. There is a generous amount of hop oil left on my tongue after each sip.
This is a solid offering from a brewery I was not previously familiar with.
★ 1,138 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From notes. Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into a tulip.
My pour is a dark golden orange color, with a slight haze that informs me it was bottle conditioned.
The aroma has a medium to strong bitterness, with a floral bouquet, some grapefruit pith, and a lingering earthiness.
From the first sip on there is a nice, building bitterness that incorporates a few different flavors. Some juicy grapefruit hops also seem to have a starkly bitter grapefruit rind flavor to accompany them. Mainly the flavor is a strong, resiny, earthy hop flavor, with a lightly spicy pine presence in the background. Although not immediately noticeable, a caramel malt presence works into the mix without ever becoming very sweet. The finish is fairly clean.
There is a definite balance between juicy and dry hops, and the malt only slightly tilts this balance with the sweetness. On the other hand, even though it is moderately dry, the body is on the full side, and there is a full, rich, creamy carbonation. There is a generous amount of hop oil left on my tongue after each sip.
This is a solid offering from a brewery I was not previously familiar with.
★ 1,138 characters
3.37/5 rDev -16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
From 22 oz bomber...ordered through the mail. Different and more fancy label for 2013. Poured in St Bernardus chalice.
Pours a clear gold with significant head.
Aroma of oats, white bread.
Significant carbonation and creamy mouthfeel.
Flavors of grassy hops, persimmon, slight black pepper, cream of tartar, pine sap, white grapefruit rind. Rich and refreshing, somewhat challenging in bitterness...the bottle says "Perfectly Balanced...." which of course is in the mind (and mouth) of the beholder and I'd say a bit of a stretch. I'll give it 5 minutes to open up...
OK...8 minutes later there's still a little head...smooth aroma of grassy hops, slight malt, full bodied hop flavors...a bit more cream of tartar tongue piercing bitterness than I prefer. "Aromatic, Carapils, and Crystal hops and 75 IBUs of alph acid bitterness" is what If I knew these hops better I might say there's the bottom line of the bitter flavor profile.
The bottom 1/3 of bottle has some cloudiness. Flavors of bitter grapefruit rind, rough peppers, and for me a mouth puckering bitterness and the question, do I like this?
Just asked my second opinion master and she said...wow...cream of tartar, bitter, "I don't like it."
This could be an issue of shipping, or just that this particular Pacific Northwest IPA has a profile of a monster, but not a "ooh, this is nicely balanced and flavorful IPA." I'd certainly like to visit the brewery and taste what they have fresh...might make a big difference, or not.
★ 1,489 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
From 22 oz bomber...ordered through the mail. Different and more fancy label for 2013. Poured in St Bernardus chalice.
Pours a clear gold with significant head.
Aroma of oats, white bread.
Significant carbonation and creamy mouthfeel.
Flavors of grassy hops, persimmon, slight black pepper, cream of tartar, pine sap, white grapefruit rind. Rich and refreshing, somewhat challenging in bitterness...the bottle says "Perfectly Balanced...." which of course is in the mind (and mouth) of the beholder and I'd say a bit of a stretch. I'll give it 5 minutes to open up...
OK...8 minutes later there's still a little head...smooth aroma of grassy hops, slight malt, full bodied hop flavors...a bit more cream of tartar tongue piercing bitterness than I prefer. "Aromatic, Carapils, and Crystal hops and 75 IBUs of alph acid bitterness" is what If I knew these hops better I might say there's the bottom line of the bitter flavor profile.
The bottom 1/3 of bottle has some cloudiness. Flavors of bitter grapefruit rind, rough peppers, and for me a mouth puckering bitterness and the question, do I like this?
Just asked my second opinion master and she said...wow...cream of tartar, bitter, "I don't like it."
This could be an issue of shipping, or just that this particular Pacific Northwest IPA has a profile of a monster, but not a "ooh, this is nicely balanced and flavorful IPA." I'd certainly like to visit the brewery and taste what they have fresh...might make a big difference, or not.
★ 1,489 characters
4.1/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Review from notes.
A: Served in a mason style jar this beer was a slightly hazy orange color with a small white head on top. The head was rather foamy with nice retention which left sheets of lacing down the sides.
S: A very pleasant aroma. Lots of citrus fruit, especially orange and orange peel, with a little bit of grapefruit and pine.
T: A hoppy IPA with more citrus fruit, grapefruit and some pineapple with orange becoming the dominant flavor as it warmed. Faint malt sweetness on the finish.
M: Medium bodied with medium carbonation.
O: A pleasant surprise. Liked this IPA quite a bit. Would certainly order it again.
★ 635 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Review from notes.
A: Served in a mason style jar this beer was a slightly hazy orange color with a small white head on top. The head was rather foamy with nice retention which left sheets of lacing down the sides.
S: A very pleasant aroma. Lots of citrus fruit, especially orange and orange peel, with a little bit of grapefruit and pine.
T: A hoppy IPA with more citrus fruit, grapefruit and some pineapple with orange becoming the dominant flavor as it warmed. Faint malt sweetness on the finish.
M: Medium bodied with medium carbonation.
O: A pleasant surprise. Liked this IPA quite a bit. Would certainly order it again.
★ 635 characters
2.74/5 rDev -31.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Been looking to try this in a bottle that appears not to be too old (based on the giant cakes in most bottles in my area).
Bottled: unk
Pours hazy copper with solid sheet of small light cream foam. Smells like resin, hint of pine, grass, body odor, a really assertive PNW style nose here - punched in the face, to wake you from the rain. There is a strong biscuit (buttermilk) in the aroma as well. Taste is primarily malts with sweet and crackery flavors and a touch of cardboard oxidation alongside a healthy bitterness sans layered flavorful character. Some dry pithy and resiny flavors, but all and all a lower end flavor profile. Medium body with moderate carb and a slightly dry finish. This is not impressive at all, but I have seen others rave about it, maybe I'm simply getting old stuff.
★ 798 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Been looking to try this in a bottle that appears not to be too old (based on the giant cakes in most bottles in my area).
Bottled: unk
Pours hazy copper with solid sheet of small light cream foam. Smells like resin, hint of pine, grass, body odor, a really assertive PNW style nose here - punched in the face, to wake you from the rain. There is a strong biscuit (buttermilk) in the aroma as well. Taste is primarily malts with sweet and crackery flavors and a touch of cardboard oxidation alongside a healthy bitterness sans layered flavorful character. Some dry pithy and resiny flavors, but all and all a lower end flavor profile. Medium body with moderate carb and a slightly dry finish. This is not impressive at all, but I have seen others rave about it, maybe I'm simply getting old stuff.
★ 798 characters
4.08/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
22oz into a tulip. Pours a hazy copper with a thick, dense, fluffy off-white head that leaves nice sticky lacing on the glass. Moderate carbonation. Good-looking beer.
Aroma is nice piney and grassy hops + some citrus, but a bit muted. This might be an older bottle, I've had this before and recall a more pungent aroma. Bottle says 100% Columbus hops.
Taste is a nice blend of dry biscuity malt and tropical bitter hops. There's an abrasive bitterness actually, reminiscent of grapefruit, tempered by a slightly fruity apricot aspect of the malt. All in all, a pretty typical Northwestern approach to the American IPA.
Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, dry and crisp. Sharp and clean, refreshing with a lingering aftertaste.
Overall a solid offering. Could be a staple in my fridge if Snoqualmie started canning this, don't think I've seen that yet.
★ 848 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
22oz into a tulip. Pours a hazy copper with a thick, dense, fluffy off-white head that leaves nice sticky lacing on the glass. Moderate carbonation. Good-looking beer.
Aroma is nice piney and grassy hops + some citrus, but a bit muted. This might be an older bottle, I've had this before and recall a more pungent aroma. Bottle says 100% Columbus hops.
Taste is a nice blend of dry biscuity malt and tropical bitter hops. There's an abrasive bitterness actually, reminiscent of grapefruit, tempered by a slightly fruity apricot aspect of the malt. All in all, a pretty typical Northwestern approach to the American IPA.
Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, dry and crisp. Sharp and clean, refreshing with a lingering aftertaste.
Overall a solid offering. Could be a staple in my fridge if Snoqualmie started canning this, don't think I've seen that yet.
★ 848 characters
3.6/5 rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Received in a recent trade from Hopluva1, thanks!. The problem with getting IPA's that aren't dated is that this one may have been slightly old, not too old, but the weeklong shipping in the heat of the summer certainly can't help.
Nice dark orange color and a very solid hoppy nose. A very large frothy head on an average pour. The malt comes through a little more than I expect in the flavor. Not a bad beer, but certainly not something better than I could get fresh locally. I would guess if I had this at the brewpub it would be excellent.
★ 544 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Received in a recent trade from Hopluva1, thanks!. The problem with getting IPA's that aren't dated is that this one may have been slightly old, not too old, but the weeklong shipping in the heat of the summer certainly can't help.
Nice dark orange color and a very solid hoppy nose. A very large frothy head on an average pour. The malt comes through a little more than I expect in the flavor. Not a bad beer, but certainly not something better than I could get fresh locally. I would guess if I had this at the brewpub it would be excellent.
★ 544 characters
4.03/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz bottle poured into my Southern Tier tulip. It poured a little hazy and bright orange amber in color. A thick, pillowy white head filled a third of the glass at first and left some nice lacing as I drank it.
The aroma shows a good amount of hoppiness to it. I get some herbal, grassiness along with some citrusy grapefruit like flavors. Some of the malts really come out as well with some sweeter, candied fruits and toasted grains. Pretty flavorful and balanced.
The taste has a little more of the sweeter, crystal malts coming out to give it a bit of a candied fruit like quality. The hoppiness shows more of a juicy citrus up front with a bitter grapefruit and citrus rind flavor in the finish. Some pale, toasted malts come out in the finish as well.
The mouthfeel is medium bodied with carbonation being moderate. Overall it was a pretty nice beer, it had a nice balance of hoppy and malty flavors to it. It was pretty easy drinking and flavorful as well.
★ 970 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz bottle poured into my Southern Tier tulip. It poured a little hazy and bright orange amber in color. A thick, pillowy white head filled a third of the glass at first and left some nice lacing as I drank it.
The aroma shows a good amount of hoppiness to it. I get some herbal, grassiness along with some citrusy grapefruit like flavors. Some of the malts really come out as well with some sweeter, candied fruits and toasted grains. Pretty flavorful and balanced.
The taste has a little more of the sweeter, crystal malts coming out to give it a bit of a candied fruit like quality. The hoppiness shows more of a juicy citrus up front with a bitter grapefruit and citrus rind flavor in the finish. Some pale, toasted malts come out in the finish as well.
The mouthfeel is medium bodied with carbonation being moderate. Overall it was a pretty nice beer, it had a nice balance of hoppy and malty flavors to it. It was pretty easy drinking and flavorful as well.
★ 970 characters
4.15/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #57 (October 2011):
Reaching above the benchmark for west coast IPAs and still retaining a good amount of drinkability. Excessively american in a good way, with the hop character grabbing the palate and running with it. Balanced? Sure. Still a bit of a beast and a sure thing for any hophead out there.
LOOK: Heady top, amber hue
SMELL: Ruby red grapefruit, evergreen, grassy, hop oil, bready
TASTE: Bitter, citric rind, hop oil, leafy, blond tobacco, semidry, nutty grain, fruity
★ 524 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #57 (October 2011):
Reaching above the benchmark for west coast IPAs and still retaining a good amount of drinkability. Excessively american in a good way, with the hop character grabbing the palate and running with it. Balanced? Sure. Still a bit of a beast and a sure thing for any hophead out there.
LOOK: Heady top, amber hue
SMELL: Ruby red grapefruit, evergreen, grassy, hop oil, bready
TASTE: Bitter, citric rind, hop oil, leafy, blond tobacco, semidry, nutty grain, fruity
★ 524 characters
3.99/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A- Clear, amber colored with no haze. Nice foamy head about one finger that holds on pretty well. Very nice lacing, forms rings.
S- Not very fragrant. Almost smells like a lager.
T- As a single IPA I must say this thing tastes great. Very nicely balanced beer here. Hop forward, pine resin, PNW, and then a nice malt back, some red apple and even a little pepper in the finish.
M- Crisp. Like I said before, very balanced and really drinkable. Good IPA carbonation and just a hint of that IPA tongue burn.
O- Stoked to get this awesome PNW IPA extra. Glad I got to try it, and would drink it again if available.
★ 618 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A- Clear, amber colored with no haze. Nice foamy head about one finger that holds on pretty well. Very nice lacing, forms rings.
S- Not very fragrant. Almost smells like a lager.
T- As a single IPA I must say this thing tastes great. Very nicely balanced beer here. Hop forward, pine resin, PNW, and then a nice malt back, some red apple and even a little pepper in the finish.
M- Crisp. Like I said before, very balanced and really drinkable. Good IPA carbonation and just a hint of that IPA tongue burn.
O- Stoked to get this awesome PNW IPA extra. Glad I got to try it, and would drink it again if available.
★ 618 characters
3.47/5 rDev -13.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I've drank this beer numerous times over the years.. I've always like it but have to disagree that it is world class or even exceptional especially compared to Inversion IPA the same class but a far better IPA IMHO. I bought a pony of this and enjoyed it last year.
Appearance: Pours out golden, probably not filtered.. decent head
Smell: nice dry hopped aroma
tasted: decent hop and malt balance
mouth feel: decent, nothing special but average for the variety.
★ 462 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I've drank this beer numerous times over the years.. I've always like it but have to disagree that it is world class or even exceptional especially compared to Inversion IPA the same class but a far better IPA IMHO. I bought a pony of this and enjoyed it last year.
Appearance: Pours out golden, probably not filtered.. decent head
Smell: nice dry hopped aroma
tasted: decent hop and malt balance
mouth feel: decent, nothing special but average for the variety.
★ 462 characters
4.08/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
22oz bottle poured into a large mug
Pours pretty slightly cloudy amber with a big fluffy attractive head. Smell is mildly hoppy, mildly strawy, floral.
Taste is bitter, not quite so citrusy as some IPAs. Some of that straw comes out, a little bready, slightly yeasty.
Mouthfeel is very nice, thick but not heavy or sticky. I want to call it fluffy. Overall, very nice.
★ 371 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
22oz bottle poured into a large mug
Pours pretty slightly cloudy amber with a big fluffy attractive head. Smell is mildly hoppy, mildly strawy, floral.
Taste is bitter, not quite so citrusy as some IPAs. Some of that straw comes out, a little bready, slightly yeasty.
Mouthfeel is very nice, thick but not heavy or sticky. I want to call it fluffy. Overall, very nice.
★ 371 characters
4/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to 5000 for sending me this bottle. Drank fresh back in March 2011.
The beer pours an orange color with a white head. The aroma is very nice. I get a ton of tropical fruit with a lot of mangoes, papaya and oranges. I also get some nice bready notes from the malt.
The flavor is also fruity. I get some pineapple, papaya and orange notes. The bready malt keeps the bitterness fairly low, even though the beer has a lot of hop flavor.
Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.
★ 485 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to 5000 for sending me this bottle. Drank fresh back in March 2011.
The beer pours an orange color with a white head. The aroma is very nice. I get a ton of tropical fruit with a lot of mangoes, papaya and oranges. I also get some nice bready notes from the malt.
The flavor is also fruity. I get some pineapple, papaya and orange notes. The bready malt keeps the bitterness fairly low, even though the beer has a lot of hop flavor.
Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.
★ 485 characters
4/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz bomb, available everywhere
appearance: icon Twin Peaks falls on the label - served in an arrogant bastard pint, bright copper body, creamy beige cap with a sticky, filmy lace
smell: light orange zest, evergeen, grapefruit
taste: nice hop profile - tangerine, lemon, grapefruit, orange, notes of pine. light crackery malt
mouthfeel: light and refreshing, oily
overall: nice solid IPA - would be nice in sixer format, or CANS
★ 433 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz bomb, available everywhere
appearance: icon Twin Peaks falls on the label - served in an arrogant bastard pint, bright copper body, creamy beige cap with a sticky, filmy lace
smell: light orange zest, evergeen, grapefruit
taste: nice hop profile - tangerine, lemon, grapefruit, orange, notes of pine. light crackery malt
mouthfeel: light and refreshing, oily
overall: nice solid IPA - would be nice in sixer format, or CANS
★ 433 characters
2.81/5 rDev -30.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
Thanks again, Gil.
A: The pour is dark orange in color with a white head.
S: Like so many of the other Northwestern IPAs I've tried, there is a bland hop character. Straw and grass with a bit of pine and lemon. Still a pretty decent bread and toast note with some sweet caramel.
T: Sweet toffee, bread, and caramel. Straw, grass, and lemon hop flavors with just a bit of pine and a moderate bitterness. There's a bit of pine-sol to it, too.
M: Medium bodied with medium carbonation.
O: Boring hop profile with lots of sweetness.
★ 533 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
Thanks again, Gil.
A: The pour is dark orange in color with a white head.
S: Like so many of the other Northwestern IPAs I've tried, there is a bland hop character. Straw and grass with a bit of pine and lemon. Still a pretty decent bread and toast note with some sweet caramel.
T: Sweet toffee, bread, and caramel. Straw, grass, and lemon hop flavors with just a bit of pine and a moderate bitterness. There's a bit of pine-sol to it, too.
M: Medium bodied with medium carbonation.
O: Boring hop profile with lots of sweetness.
★ 533 characters
4.42/5 rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On-tap at Locol in Seattle, WA. July 30th, 2011
A: The beer poured a a deep orange color with thick head of creamy foam. Moderate lacing hung around on the sides of the glass throughout.
S: Wildcat has a strong aroma of pine and hops. Orange peel and grapefruit were very much in the foreground. Just a touch of malt was noticeable.
T: Very hop-forward with grapefruit notes and pine in the background. The malt is faint, but exists as merely an aftertaste.
M: Medium carbonation with a small stream of bubbles and a nice creamy mouth feel.
O: Wow, what a difference a fresh keg makes. This was an incredibly tasty hop-forward IPA. The aroma and flavors present in my glass were sadly absent in the not so fresh bomber I reviewed a few days ago.
★ 750 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On-tap at Locol in Seattle, WA. July 30th, 2011
A: The beer poured a a deep orange color with thick head of creamy foam. Moderate lacing hung around on the sides of the glass throughout.
S: Wildcat has a strong aroma of pine and hops. Orange peel and grapefruit were very much in the foreground. Just a touch of malt was noticeable.
T: Very hop-forward with grapefruit notes and pine in the background. The malt is faint, but exists as merely an aftertaste.
M: Medium carbonation with a small stream of bubbles and a nice creamy mouth feel.
O: Wow, what a difference a fresh keg makes. This was an incredibly tasty hop-forward IPA. The aroma and flavors present in my glass were sadly absent in the not so fresh bomber I reviewed a few days ago.
★ 750 characters
4.97/5 rDev +23.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
The aroma of this beer is what suprised me the most. It starts off spicy and citrus, very bright, and finnishes with a herbal, dank hop aroma that blends very well as the malt notes hit your tongue. The particular pint I had last was a little shy on carbonation, but I think that may have been a result of handling rather than brewery specs since I have had this beer before and the carbonation was spot on. The hops overall were very well balenced by the hops and I found this to be one of the more drinkable IPA's I have had.
★ 527 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
The aroma of this beer is what suprised me the most. It starts off spicy and citrus, very bright, and finnishes with a herbal, dank hop aroma that blends very well as the malt notes hit your tongue. The particular pint I had last was a little shy on carbonation, but I think that may have been a result of handling rather than brewery specs since I have had this beer before and the carbonation was spot on. The hops overall were very well balenced by the hops and I found this to be one of the more drinkable IPA's I have had.
★ 527 characters
3.41/5 rDev -15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
From notes:
Pours a hazy golden amber/orange with burnt orange hues and a frothy one finger off-white head that slowly settles into a lasting ring. Sporadic spots of lace left behind.
Earthy floral hop aroma with a strong malt backbone along with a faint citrus character. Hints of pine, bark and buds along with subtle grapefruit and orange peel. This is overpowered by a strong malt presence with hints of caramel and toffee.
Chewy full body with a nice dry, earthy bitter hop presence that lingers throughout into a bone dry finish. Lots of earthy dank pine notes as well as some citrus fruit, mostly grapefruit and orange peel. Strong malt backbone balances things perhaps too much with a promient caramel, toffee and biscuit flavor. Not bad but the malt profile is too stent for my liking and it is dry to the point of being unpleasant.
★ 844 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
From notes:
Pours a hazy golden amber/orange with burnt orange hues and a frothy one finger off-white head that slowly settles into a lasting ring. Sporadic spots of lace left behind.
Earthy floral hop aroma with a strong malt backbone along with a faint citrus character. Hints of pine, bark and buds along with subtle grapefruit and orange peel. This is overpowered by a strong malt presence with hints of caramel and toffee.
Chewy full body with a nice dry, earthy bitter hop presence that lingers throughout into a bone dry finish. Lots of earthy dank pine notes as well as some citrus fruit, mostly grapefruit and orange peel. Strong malt backbone balances things perhaps too much with a promient caramel, toffee and biscuit flavor. Not bad but the malt profile is too stent for my liking and it is dry to the point of being unpleasant.
★ 844 characters
Wildcat India Pale Ale from Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company & Taproom
4.02
out of 5
based on 223 ratings.
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
On-tap at Tap House Grill in Seattle. A maltier IPA, she says. Why not, I'll take a pint. On to the beer:
A creamy inch of head caps this rich copper colored beer, and the creaminess of the head and retention is awesome. A maltier IPA in aroma, sure, I don't mind. I still pick up orange and vague mixed fruits. Maybe Wildcat will get its motor running when I taste it? Well, not exactly. Okay, I'll be fair, the taste itself is fine, but there's something in that aftertaste that kills much of the pleasure I have getting. Esters and a side citrus fruits make an acceptable IPA taste, however the aftertaste is phenolic and bitter like aspirin, and it sticks like glue to the palate. Something didn't go right here, (brewer or alehouse related, I don't know who gets the bigger blame). Killing that bad aftertaste would boost the taste score an extra 0.5 easy.
★ 863 characters