SIERRA NEVADA TORPEDO EXTRA IPA

Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA. The name of this beer refers to the ‘Hop Torpedo’ used to dry hop this brew.

So what exactly is a ‘Hop Torpedo’? It’s a cylindrical stainless steel vessel containing a filter basket packed full of whole cone hops and sealed against pressure. Beer is circulated out of the fermenter, through the Hop Torpedo and back into the fermenter. By adjusting the temperature and flow rate of the beer different flavours and aromas can be extracted from the hops.

Like other Sierra Nevada beers the recipe is simple but effective. On the malt bill are pale malt and caramel malt. On the hop front are Magnum for bittering and Magnum, Crystal and Citra for flavour and aroma.

It’s in the usual ballpark for an American IPA being 7.2% ABV and 65 IBU. The word extra has been thrown in the name to emphasise the amount of dry hopping. However, it’s just another marketing gimmick to make it stand out from other IPAs.

Golden yellow colour, fine head with large bubbles of hop oils. Moderate carbonation and medium body. Surprisingly there is not much in the way of aroma, mostly an alcohol smell.

The first thing you notice is the bitterness as you take a sip. Caramel and bready malt flavour leading into a predominately citrus, herbal and slightly spicy flavour.  Strong bitter and slightly boozy aftertaste. Despite being 7.2% it's not as heavy or sickly as other IPAs. It has a slightly dry finish and medium body which makes it refreshing.

I get the impression it has lost hop flavour in transit. Fresh in the US it's probably much tastier.

Not a bad IPA but definitely not the best.

7/10