Torpedo Extra IPA is an American IPA brewed by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., and for the purposes of this craft beer review, the ale was served in a tulip pint glass from a 12 oz. bottle.
Packaging art for the Torpedo Extra IPA by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
What You Need to Know
Dry hopping has been around for a long time but Sierra Nevada takes a slightly different approach with their Torpedo Extra IPA to maximize the hop flavor and aroma (more on that below). So how is their dry-hopped beer? Let’s get to the review.
Appearance
The IPA pours a clear copper and is topped by a half-inch thick head of off-white foam that persists briefly. The head’s reduction leaves a touch of lace to coat the sides of the glass.
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Aroma
The aroma is fragrant with hoppy notes of citrus and pine.
Flavor
The hop-forward palate follows the nose with flavors of juicy orange, grapefruit, and herbal hops. The tasting finishes with a bite of lemon while a biscuit malt base ties the palate together.
Label art for the Torpedo Extra IPA by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Mouthfeel
The feel of the IPA has a medium body and moderate carbonation. The tasting finishes dryly.
Overall
The Torpedo Extra IPA is so easy to tilt back in spite of its 7.2% ABV. It’s wonderfully hoppy and yet nicely balanced. An excellent representation of the style.
Recommended Pairings
Sierra Nevada recommends the following food pairings with their Torpedo Extra IPA: lamb, duck, Southwestern cuisine, and aged cheddar.
Dry Hopping with the Torpedo
As you know, dry hopping gives a beer more flavor and aroma without adding bitterness. Traditionally, nylon bags of hops are suspended in the fermentation tanks but Sierra Nevada discovered that often those sacks would be dry in the middle. To get the most out of their hops, the brewery came up with their “Hop Torpedo” method. Beer circulates out of a fermenter, flows through the column of hops, and back into the tank. By adjusting the time, temperature and speed of circulation, we can control the aromas and flavors in a finished beer.
