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Peter LaFrance



Saturday, February 6, 2010

A taste of… Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA


Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
1075 East 20th Street
Chico, CA 95928-6722
(530) 893-3520


Preface: This 12 oz. bottle of Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA was purchased for $2.75(USD) at Peas & Pickles Grocery in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY. There is a date code on the neck of the bottle: “0012219:10”.

The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew.

I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of a creating a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: This crystal clear reddish copper brew has a carbonation of fine beads of bubbles that form a rocky parchment colored head of medium and tiny bubbles that tat a fine Belgian lace.

Aroma: As soon as this bottle was opened there was a presence of grapefruit that quickly faded. The first nose-dive reveals floral accents of honey suckle. A second visit brings out more of the floral aromas with a edge of citric aromas. The third visit had the aroma receptors accustomed to the assorted floral aromas and weaving them together too tightly to deconstruct.

Flavor: The first impression is a creamy frothy sensation that introduces a spike of almost metallic tang. The second sip reveals grapefruit flavors to give the early flavor sensations a name. A third sip finds some sweet crystal sugar candy accents that, on the slightly singed edge reflect the tangy flavors.

Mouth feel: There is a full frothy first feel that only recedes slightly.

Finish: Creamy and full bodied but not obese.

Comments: The label tells me that this beverage is 7.2% alcohol by volume. There is also mention of the use of whole-cone American hop flowers. I am still left to wonder the meaning of “Torpedo”.

Food & Beer: The floral accents to this brew would feel right at home with a field green salad with bits of apple and walnuts in a light dressing of olive oil and lemon juice.


The Brewery: http://www.sierranevada.com/

What others say:

BeerAdvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/140/30420

RateBeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/sierra-nevada-torpedo-extra-ipa/59261/

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Peter, how are you? My name is Pete, and I work with North American Breweries. Currently, the company is not involved with distributing Guinness. We just wanted to find out how you may have come across that information, and help clear up any misunderstanding. Thanks Peter!

Anonymous said...

The sierra nevada website says that the torpedo name comes from their "Torpedo" version of the hops that they can use year round as this is their first "ALL YEAR" IPA. Remember i said IPA not american pale ale. Boy it was worth the wait...i love it too.