Rebel Rouser Double IPA - Sam Adams

Still have not seen the Double or Session here in Tucson AZ. Just the regular Rebel(which was ok but not a fav)

 

I did finally find a single bottle. This is an interesting one to say the least. The aroma seems way down, almost non existent (I like that hop cone/hop field aroma). Vague hints of citrus. I see this a lot now a days. I had to open a fresh local can of something I know the smell of to test my smell/taste buds. It's not Me. It's lacking a bit already (best by date is June 2015). You also get a hint of some caramel type malts in the initial taste. Hops kick in to give a small burst of back of the mouth bitterness. Some citrus and slight piney in the taste. This beer does not come across as WEST coast style, juicy, dank, or what have you. Mouthfeel is actually a bit thin, which is okay. It finishes a touch crisp and dry.. Super easy to drink. Super clean mouthfeel and finish. That may be its best attribute.

It curbs some hop itch, But I still feel it comes across more as a malty east coast style of IPA. Grading this one will be hard. If it's a non big micro company, do people LIKE this? I realize its a step up for the big guys, but should they receive too much credit? I do feel it falls in line with many of Lagunitas' IPA beers, as well as Odell's. It should be to their credit that this one is solid, but how solid? I shall revisit. 89 already seems high. A 4 seems a touch high. I would place this in the 3.77 range personally, which for as many DIPAS out there, would place is in the mediocre-average range. Not bad.

 

First let me qualify the following by saying I am not a Sam Adams fanboy. But I had 4 bottles of Rebel Rouser just last week. I went into it it with an open mind and no expectations. I have to admit, it ain't bad. Much better than regular Rouser. I'm sure Jim Koch probably hates it though. But for the price, I would drink it again. SA surprises again

 

I grabbed a 6er, have to give it a shot. IMO it's solid, much better than the normal rebel. At $8-9, this is a steal. Not as good as dirtwolf or head hunter but a hell of a lot cheaper. Hopefully it holds up well after a few months on the shelf

 

Not sure why all the hating on the rebel line. I like the original Rebel been my go to and the DIPA is good clean crisp and not overly hoppy. Agreed I do like Dirt Wolf like the above poster but, more $$$$ for that.

 

Very well said

 

This smelled and looked very promising...and then it just kind of fell apart. Rather boozy and an odd overly sticky element. I don't consider this to be a west coast IPA really. I suppose it is worth trying, I doubt I'll drink the bottles again but I'd like to try it on tap

 

It was neither West Coast or rebellious.

 

I just tried this beer, and I honestly thought it was fantastic considering it was coming from SA. Don't get me wrong, I think SA makes some great beers, but knowing how Jim Koch hates super hoppy beers, I didn't have huge expectations going into this. It has huge, dank galaxy hop aroma and flavor. One of the more dank beers I've had, which is a fairly big statement, given my love for Lagunitas, Three Floyds, and anything hoppy. It has a slight harsh bitterness to it and a bit of a boozy alcohol burn, but the hop flavor and aroma are great! Well done Sam Adams.

 

Someone probably already stated this, but didn't Mr. Koch put down west coast IPAs for being overly hoppy? As in - to the point where the hops were not really contributing to the beer but were more of a gimmick? So he's now brewing west coast style IPAs? Looks like he was or thought he would lose market share if he didn't. Nothing like sticking to your guns. But I'll still consider Boston Beer products as my fall back where there's nothing else besides macros.

 

This is west coast in title only. To me, it is more reflective of the mw or east coast style.

 

Wasn't too bad, didn't blow me away, but an easy to get, year round dipa for $10.99 a sixer, I will be revisiting.

 

Jeez, this one is slow to hit distribution in my area. I'm waiting!

 

I tried this on 3 different occasions and found it just OK... I wanted to like it a lot too... It was a serviceable IPA but with the market full of much better selections, I will find it hard to for this one into my rotation... I really wanted to be one of the ones that shamed everyone for knocking this but to be honest I found it rather pedestrian...

 

Sorry. Unimpressed. And not "West Coast style" by any means.............

 

Agreed. Definitely not West Coast in aroma or palate. That term is getting tossed around far too often these days.

 

Tried this today and it's pretty good. Reasonable price point, good availability, 8.4%, plus pretty good hop flavor and aroma, I'll be back for more. Suck it sam adams haters!

 

I just picked up a 6xer of this two nights ago (Lake County, IL) for $9.99, and for Sam Adams, I was pleasantly surprised - imho this is a decent DIPA with a nice price point and good availability. I haven't reviewed this yet, I will on the 6th bottle - but a decent nose, nice flavor, good mouthfeel, nice color and decent lacing. If you see this, and I'm sure most of you will, I really think this one is worth a try.

 

Got a single yesterday and thought it was pretty damn good. I'll be buying a sixer this week.

 

Bought a single to try at Whole Foods yesterday. Was OK at best.

Doubt I'll ever buy a six pack of it. I'd rather get a sixer of Flower Power for $0.50 more.