Rating #800. 22 oz. bottle brought back from Japan and INCREDIBLY generously shared by hogfodder with myself and after4ever on 3/20/08. Not sure what year this is, but based on the hop freshness, I would assume 2008. Pour is initially hazy orange gold with a small white head, clears fairly quickly. There is some nice lacing on the edge of the glass. Aroma of floral, fruit and pine hops, very engaging, with balance provided by a solid malt backbone. The nose was very unique, almost tropical fruit in the nose - I’m not certain I have experienced this in a hop previously. The taste is really soft, floral, fruit and some complementary grainiess. The finish is beautiful - very soft and floral - yet a bunch of pine. Not easy flavors to soften, but Baird achieved it. Palate is medium-full, and never even approached hot or cloying. Thank you so much for this one Rick, this was really great.

Ok, realize the reciept changes year to year. I may have missed a year, but IMO, 2008 is by far the best of the DIPA. Excellent backbone, but unlike past year the hops really shine through on this puppy. Pine and citrus. Pure west coast. Finishing in your face bitter. Only sampled from bottle, but it was damn good. Rating is only for 2008. Other years would be lower.

Draught at Craft Beer Bar. Copper/orange in color with a light tan head. Aroma is nice and hoppy. Citrus, grapefruit, orange with a good caramel malt background. Body is right on for a DIPA. Intense hop flavor, possibly the hoppiest Japanese brew I’ve had. Citric, some pine, grapefruit, light sweet malts and a bit of earth. Finish is very bitter and lasting. The malty background balances out the hop blast very well. One of the better DIPAs I’ve had, and quite possibly the best Japanese DIPA. Would love to see this in bottles.