Last night Jacob, Anne, Reid, and I sampled fourteen different IPAs from around the country (including many locals). We were later joined by my brother Jimmy and his friend Ben. Here are the results of a blind taste test we conducted, from worst to first:
14. Victory Hop Devil Ale (55.75 avg, 98 ratebeer percentile)
For the second straight week we universally panned a high-rated Victory beer. Jacob said “I hope I don’t go blind”, Anne hated the acrid smell and hard alcohol taste, Reid thought it tasted like “grandma’s attic”, and Tom thought it tasted like wood.
13. Great Divide Hercules Double IPA (61.1, 99)
For the second straight week we universally panned a high-rated Great Divide imperial. Some had a few positive things to say (got better as it went along) but overall we all thought it tasted really soapy.
12.
Technically this is an American Pale Ale, and we probably should not have included it in this tasting. I think we were looking for an IPA flavor this beer didn’t intend to provide. Everyone thought it lacked flavor and Reid questioned its freshness, claiming previous encounters with Hazed had gone a lot better for him.
11. Avery IPA (72.2, 90)
We hated the vomit scent of this straightforward, fruity, smoke-finishing IPA.
10. Il
Everyone was stunned by its treebark taste, yet we thought it was pretty decent overall. Good wood.
9.
This one came on weak and watery, but its pure and backloaded hoppy flavor converted a few.
8. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA (77, 99)
Copper color, strong floral scent, with a big head and a stiff scent. The maltiest beer we tried last night. Very bitter, hoppy, malty, and flavorful
7. Stone Ruination IPA (77, 99)
Extremely dry. This was the hoppiest beer I have ever had. Jacob said “it feels like I’m eating a hop” which I agreed with. This isn’t a bad thing though. I feel I finally found the big hoppy daddy I’ve been looking for.
6.
This fruity IPA hit a wall. The flavor disappeared after a promising start. A hoppier or more consistent finish would have garnered it one of our highest ratings of the night.
This extremely dark, bourbon-like IPA featured a consistent, bitter flavor. This barely passed as an IPA.
This fruity, bitter, floral, grassy IPA was a bit weak but overall got high marks.
3. Breckenridge 471 Small Batch IPA (81.25, 92)
Clear and copper, with a fresh, fruity, alcoholic smell. We thought it was crisp and refreshing with a strong immediate taste which quickly receded. Anne said “that’s an IPA.”
2. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA (82.5, 95)
Very berry, woody, fruity, consistent, and carbonated.
1. Redhook Long Hammer IPA (83.25, 33)
I can’t believe it happened again. For the second straight week, the lowest rated ratebeer.com beer was our highest rated. It was my personal favorite by a mile. We agreed it didn’t have an intricate flavor but tasted “bitter and only bitter”, was quite drinkable, and smooth.
At this point it is obvious that our tastebuds are quite different from the ones over at ratebeer. It’s really interesting to see the opposite ratings we give out. Beer is so complicated and subtle. It would be interesting to take these tests again in five years and see what happens.
