Weird vodka-like traits with super fresh IPAs?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by JAXSON, Feb 26, 2012.

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  1. JAXSON

    JAXSON Maven (1,336) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/ratebeer/?path=/images/dot.gif
    With all the obsession about IPAs being consumed super fresh, I’ve found some weird flavor qualities with some very fresh bottles that tends to go away with a little time in bottle. Multiple batches of Hopslam in particular have an almost vodka-like splash of heat that kind of goes away about a month or so after bottling. The most dramatic example I’ve seen was when Bullfrog bottled their Edgar IPA a few years ago, it had this really harsh chemical flavor when the bottles were less than a week old, and it was fine a month or so later.

    I’ve always wonder this but never asked...what’s this about?
     
    #1 JAXSON, Feb 26, 2012
  2. Patrick

    Patrick Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2007 Massachusetts

    I can't say I've experienced this.

    Also, what is your excuse for not uploading an avatar?
     
    #2 Patrick, Feb 27, 2012
  3. Chugs13

    Chugs13 Initiate (0) Dec 11, 2011 New Jersey

    Ive noticed the same thing, with DIPAs in particular. Definitely experienced this with Double Trouble. That vodka bit seems to go away after a few weeks.
     
    #3 Chugs13, Feb 27, 2012
  4. JAXSON

    JAXSON Maven (1,336) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    Haha, waiting for the new site to kick in. I'm assuming all of our profile, including ratings and whatnot, will be preserved?
     
    #4 JAXSON, Feb 27, 2012
  5. anfield86

    anfield86 Pooh-Bah (2,606) Nov 21, 2006 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    i thought the same way, until one day i worried that my avatar would never consist of Gimli raising a stein of some unknown, delicious middle-earth brew....i've had this avatar since that movie came out hahah
     
    #5 anfield86, Feb 27, 2012
  6. leedorham

    leedorham Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2006 Washington

    That's a new one to me. Not saying you're crazy, just not anything I've ever experienced.

    (you're crazy)
     
    #6 leedorham, Feb 27, 2012
  7. Pahn

    Pahn Initiate (0) Dec 2, 2009 New York

    what do you mean by vodka?

    i get sort of flowery, "good vodka" flavors from a lot of strong ales, especially DIPAs i guess. if you mean just solvent-like heat, i suppose those sort of flavors can be particularly not-masked in pale ales of any sort.

    other than that, can't say i've noticed the same thing.
     
    #7 Pahn, Feb 27, 2012
  8. CellarGimp

    CellarGimp Initiate (0) Sep 14, 2011 Missouri

    It's just booziness. 10% alcohol in Hopslam with very light maltiness to hide it. The grapefruit hops make it taste like a greyhound. Delish.
     
    #8 CellarGimp, Feb 27, 2012
  9. cbutova

    cbutova Grand Pooh-Bah (3,059) Oct 10, 2008 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    The only time I experienced this is when I made the mistake of getting a really old bottle (6+ months) of Ballast Point Dorado Double IPA, no bottle dates and a shop I now know doesn't exactly turnover a ton. It tasted like pure vodka. With fresh hop bombs I rarely ever notice alcohol or vodka like properties. Maybe I need to try more vodka to make the connection.
     
    #9 cbutova, Feb 27, 2012
  10. BB1313

    BB1313 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,290) Jul 16, 2009 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    The only time I've experienced a vodka-like taste w/ a DIPA was from Boulder Beer Mojo Risin'.. it was a couple years ago and I haven't had it since but I recall it having a vodka aftertaste and found it very odd.. but besides that I haven't experienced anything like that..
     
    #10 BB1313, Feb 27, 2012
  11. diesel59

    diesel59 Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2012 New York

    I agree... not that I've ever had Hopslam before... but some other imperial IPAS I've had that are high octane give you that nice punch in the face... good stuff indeed....
     
    #11 diesel59, Feb 27, 2012
  12. JAXSON

    JAXSON Maven (1,336) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    It's something else, solvent-like as Pahn said, and it really dissipates after a short time. I became really aware of it after having Edgar IPA that was bottled that week. It's almost as if the beer is reacting with the glass or something.
     
    #12 JAXSON, Feb 27, 2012
  13. beerFool28607

    beerFool28607 Initiate (0) Feb 22, 2012 North Carolina

    Double trouble was the one that came to mind instantly when I saw this thread. Also hopslam to a lesser extent.
     
    #13 beerFool28607, Feb 27, 2012
  14. pokesbeerdude

    pokesbeerdude Maven (1,357) Oct 2, 2007 Colorado

    I noticed this in the Hopslam and Exponential Hoppiness that I had this year. Honestly I think it's just a product of a really young, high abv beer. I definitely know what you mean though.
     
    #14 pokesbeerdude, Feb 27, 2012
  15. stevefinny

    stevefinny Pundit (785) Aug 28, 2009 New Jersey

    Never noticed this before, but i will be on the look out for it.
     
    #15 stevefinny, Feb 27, 2012
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