Review - Sierra Nevada Brewing Company's Torpedo Extra IPA
"Torpedo is an assertive American IPA deep reddish-gold in color, with a smooth and bready malt presence and over-the-top hop aromas. The beer has a solid bitterness and a massive hop flavor, yet remains easy drinking with a pleasant dry finish." --Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Pours a light amber color with a hazy whirlwind as it enters the glass, settling ever so slightly hazed as the healthy white head dissipates. Very little activity. The aroma has a big citrus nose with moderate strength spruce notes and some warm alcohol permeates through. Initial taste is loaded up front with sweet citrus hops that give a slight bitterness, but the beer grows progressively more bitter until a nice sharp hop bite at the end. Medium bodied, it has a creamy mouthfeel that leaves a slighly dry finish with a citrus bitter bite. Mouth is not thrashed with hops but the presence is well-represented.
Very tasty IPA. 'Extra' doesn\'t make it a double. It isn\'t sweet like a double. It is very hoppy on the nose and bitter on the mouth.
Reviewed on March 15th, 2009.