Sierra Nevada Flipside Red IPA

I just picked up a beer camp sampler 12 pack. From what you guys are saying, I cannot wat to break it open

 

http://www.sierranevada.com/beer/seasonal/flipside-red-ipa

Sorry that doesn't link straight in-just enter whatever for the age verification.

 

been enjoying that pack myself. they're all good but the imperial red ale is my favorite.

 

Citra, Simcoe, Centennial. I'm not an expert on Simcoe but from what others have mentioned I think that's the one that gives it that gym sock smell. Still waiting to find Flipside in Houston, TX.

 

Simcoe is apparently "cat piss." I don't know what cat piss smells like, so I can't comment.

 

The Ruthless Rye label has got to be one of the best labels I have ever seen. Bought it BECAUSE of the graphics. Killer.

 

It's a dialed-down version of Torpedo with a Tumbler jacket on it. Definitely a west-coast IPA, hop-forward and all that, but the dark malts are a nod to the fall beers.

If it is true Tumbler is gone after this year, the folks at SN thought 'we can't compete with the fall pumpkin beers so let's expand the line of seasonals to the end of summer/early autumn and try to mix the two'. (Just my .02 c)

All in all it's great beer, i expected nothing else from one of the US's greatest breweries.

 

Just had it last night and I have to say it was just OK. It's good but not great, reminded me a little of the ruthless rye, without the rye. It's SN hopped for sure, but nothing different.......just ok. I'm not a huge fan of the tumbler but I kinda wish they weren't getting rid of it, it just seems like more of a "fall" type beer. Oh well, bring on the Celebration ale!!

 

I dont think it tastes like Torpedo at all.
Seems closer to Southern Hemisphere to me. I like-a-lot.
Tumbler was great but I think this is a nice replacement.

 

Yes, DevESTATEtion will be the same UPC as Estate.

-Bill

 

I stopped in to Duckworth's in Charlotte, NC yesterday to grab some dinner and of course a couple of beers. Flipside was on tap! Excellent beer! So, for those of you in the Charlotte area stop by and give it a try. You won't be dissapointed.

 

I had my first Flipside last night and I was underwhelmed (I am a huge SN fan) but I would agree with many posts that indicate they have way better IPAs such as Celebration, Torpedo, and the rye IPA.

 

My rep sent them to me.

Thanks for the info. We can't wait...

 

Drinking my first Flipside now. Pretty tasty brew. I was never a big fan of Tumbler. Prefer Smuttynose Old Brown Dog if I'm in the mood for a brown.

 

Finally found this tonight at my local supermarket. Love the smell (stinky in the best possible way, as others have mentioned), which gets even better (along with the flavor) as it warms up a bit. Sits nicely between SNPA and Torpedo while being a bit more complex. I can see myself drinking a lot of this stuff this fall.

 

Flipside was good, but general consensus is true. Good, not great.

 

So what about this beer makes it an IPA, exactly? Because it sure doesn't taste like one. Heck, it isn't even a very good West Coast Red. It's a caramel malt bomb with bitterness. I'm generally a fan of SN, but calling Flipside an IPA (Red, Black, Purple or otherwise) just seems like false advertising. Not even close to Celebration or Torpedo. I've probably been drinking too much Heady Topper recently.

PS. Tumbler is an excellent brown.

 

That's interesting because I thought it had great juicy west coast hop flavors. The sweeter malt bill complimented the bitterness perfectly to me as well. I guess that's what makes beer fun!

 

It's no celebration, but it'll help me pass the time. Good brew.