“Sierra Nevada and hops go hand in hand. What began as a crazy idea scribbled in a pub eventually became our newest year-round hop bomb, Torpedo Extra IPA. The first beer to feature our “Hop Torpedo”—a revolutionary dry-hopping device that controls how much hop aroma is imparted into beer without adding additional bitterness. Torpedo Extra IPA is an aggressive yet balanced beer with massive hop aromas of citrus, pine, and tropical fruit”.
Arguably the best beer Sierra Nevada has ever brewed. We have downed many of these before we started blogging and we’ve always held the same view. Served in an IPA glass the slightly hazy amber orange pour whips up a white rocky 2 finger head that eventually shrinks down to a solid 1cm crown. Good head retention. Laced well also. The aroma offers hallmark West Coast characteristics showcasing the dominant bitter grapefruit along with spicy pine resins, pepper, passion fruit, lychee, pineapple and caramel all marrying together harmoniously in this attractive IPA. The mouthfeel is dry and acrid with medium carbonation. Medium-full body with an IBU rating of 70, far under what we would predict considering the lip puckering and saliva sucking bitterness that’s happening on the tongue right now. Add to that a dash of grapefruit, pine and orange peel and any IPA lover should be in heaven. Some herbal notes around the mid-palate compliment a long and dry, spicy finish with really good length. 7.2% ABV is slightly evident so as you reach for this beer don’t be fooled by the slightly commercialised brand of this brewery, this baby packs a real punch and it’s by no means an entry level IPA. Big, bitter, hoppy and full flavoured. Solid!