Brewery: Rhinelander Brewing Co. (Minhas Craft Brewery) Monroe, Wisconsin
Beer: Thumper American IPA
Serving: 22 oz bottle
Glassware: Sierra Nevada imperial pint
Information: 6.8% ABV, 12, 11[unreadable], 14 on the neck. 79 IBUs
Style: American IPA
Price: $2.50 (ish)
Purchased at: Woodman’s
Availability: Year-round
Cellaring: Not recommended for extended aging.
Pairings: Thai or curry-based cuisine, peppery cheese; Monterey or Pepper Jack, sharp; Blue, Cheddar, pungent; Gorgonzola, Limburger.
Grade: 56 / 100 (2.80) – Poor
Look: 4.5
Smell: 3
Taste: 2.5
Feel: 2.5
Overall: 3
A – Deep amber in color, this clear beer has a dense and tall off-white head with thick, sticky lace clinging to the glass.
S – Malt-heavy, Thumper IPA has some resiny, bitter-smelling notes going on with a citrus splash on the back end. Thumper is predominantly caramel malt-filled with a touch of biscuit notes. it’s immediately apparent much larger hop additions are necessary.
T – Decisively malt, Thumper seems to fall into an amber category rather than an IPA, especially an American of all. While there are citrus and resin characteristics in the background, it lacks a strong hop forward profile. Metallic finish.
M – Medium-bodied and well-carbonated, this “IPA” has a low touch of bitterness despite it’s 79 IBU claims. Rather harsh on the tongue, it’s got a metallic finish.
O – I so badly wanted to love this brew. My aunt and uncle live in Rhinelander and it just appeared on the shelves at my local Woodman’s. Either this beer is completely un-fresh, or it’s got nowhere near the alpha acids in the hop additions it needs. More of an amber than an IPA, this brew is heavy on the malt – a good base for additional hopping. The metallic finish is fairly off-putting too, but it’s a decent beer overall (aside from not fitting style).
Cheers,
-Andy
