Tag Archives: Terrapin

Terrapin Recreation Ale

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terrapin-recreation-ale

Recreation Ale is Terrapin’s session IPA. Session IPAs, for those new to the term, are designed to be drunk in greater quantities than a traditional IPA, so are lighter in body and bitterness, and have a lower alcohol content than a traditional IPA. The nose is lemony and malty, the middle is more lemon and some very light pine, and the malt comes back forward in the finish with a touch of honey flavor over just a hint of piney bitterness. The body is light to medium and the alcohol is a nice light 4.7% ABV. This is a nice, if undifferentiated session IPA.

I give it a 3.8 out of 5.

Tarrapin Hi-5 IPA

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terrapin-hi-5-ipa

Tarrapin calls this a California style IPA, which I take to mean West Coast. However, I’d call this more of a traditional American IPA with some tropical notes. The nose has orange and lemon, and some floral overtones. The middle is more citrus and some pineapple. There’s a bit of pine and a bit of peach in the finish. The body is medium and the alcohol is a pleasantly light-ish 5.9% ABV. It wasn’t exactly what I expected, but that doesn’t take a way from what is a very nice, unique beer.

I give it a 4.4 out of 5.

Terrapin Krunkles Down Under IPA

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terrapin-krunkles

Terrapin calls Krunkles a “South Pacific” style IPA, and I think I would agree that it lives up to the moniker. The hopiness that we know, love, and expect from our IPAs is here, and the twist is that it’s very nicely balanced with notes of tropical fruit. The nose has apricot and mango, the middle is spicy and smooth with mango, papaya, and a bit of coconut. There’s a bit of pine in the finish, but it isn’t particularly bitter until right at the very end. The body is light to medium and the alcohol is a lovely 6.6% ABV. This is a fun, unique take on an IPA and I’m really enjoying it.

I give it a 4.3 out of 5.

Terrapin Hopsecutioner

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terrapin-hopsecutioner

Hopsecutioner is an American IPA, and a rather big one, from Terrapin Beer Co out of Athens, Georgia. While it’s styled as an IPA, to my senses, its closer to what I’d identify as as Imperial IPA than a standard IPA. It is heavily hopped (with 6 varieties) but balanced, so lots of malty goodness as well which gives it that strong resemblance to an Imperial. The foam is light and full, but dissipates quickly. The nose has strong orange notes, a bit of caramel, and some licorice. The middle has some slight piney bitterness, balanced with sweet bread dough, orange and some lemon. The lemon comes on more strongly in the finish. The body is medium to heavy and the alcohol is moderate 7.3% ABV. An interesting beer with the alcohol of an IPA, but the complexion of a DIPA.

I give it 3.7 out of 5.