Beer In Depth: Terrapin Krunkles Down Under IPA
We’re investigating Terrapin’s Krunkles Down Under IPA today.
Beer In Depth is a semi-recurring feature where Aaron and Tim investigate individual Georgia beers. Have a suggestion? Email Tim or Aaron!
Spring is here, and much to Tim’s chagrin, it’s India Pale Ale season. No, seriously, Tim’s coming around to IPAs. I’ll convert him soon enough.
With that in mind, I’ll be doing IPAs for a while. Because I love them.
First up is Terrapin Beer Company’s seasonal release, Krunkles Down Under.
TERRAPIN KRUNKLES DOWN UNDER
Style: American IPA
Hops: Moteuka, Pacific Jade, Green Bullet, Topaz, Waimea, Rakau, Ella, Galaxy
ABV: 6.6%
Beer Advocate: 86 (Very Good)
Rate Beer: 82
It’s currently (April 2016) available in Terrapin’s variety can 12-pack “Ultimate Survival Kit” – along with its year-round releases Hopsecutioner, Hi-5 IPA and Recreation Ale. That’s been a pretty easy find in Georgia, as I’ve personally seen it in the big grocery stores. And if you’re an IPA fan, it’s a nice and affordable package to pick up if you’re headed to, say, spend the day outside with friends or relatives. Or both.
So, on to the beer. Here’s what the Terrapin PR folks say:
Krunkles returns with a new IPA from his time spent on the underside of the world. Brewed with hops exclusively from New Zealand and Australia, this “South Pacific IPA” is packed with so much flavor, it might even make a kiwi say G’Day!
By the way, “Captain Krunkles” is their fictitious (at least I think so) IPA Brewer who has traveled the world to find exotic and interesting hops from around the world. So when your father-in-law asks, now you know.
As you can probably tell from the list above, Krunkles Down Under is packed with hops from the South Pacific. Australian and New Zealand hops are noted for their tropical fruit aroma and flavor. It’s a profile that has become popular over the past few years amongst IPA producers.
Does it hold up? What I noticed at first is the bitterness hits you right up front, but fades away quickly. That may be off-putting to non-IPA folks, but I enjoyed it, because the tropical fruit notes hit you more on the back end. The nose, in my opinion, had some nice floral notes to it.
I really dig all the IPAs in the ultimate survivor kit. But since Krunkles is seasonal, and only available in the 12-pack, here’s my suggestion – Buy two 12 packs. Then take out the 6 Krunkles that you get, keep those in your fridge, and share the rest. OK, don’t be greedy, but still. This is a nice take on an American IPA that you don’t necessarily see all that often, so I’d understand if you kept it to yourself.
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https://beerguysradio.com/2016/04/09/beer-depth-terrapin-krunkles-ipa/https://beerguysradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Down-Under-Square-300x300.gifhttps://beerguysradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Down-Under-Square-300x300-150x150.gifBeer ReviewAtlanta,beer release,Beer Releases,Breweries,Georgia beer,Georgia beer news,review,Terrapin,VideoWe're investigating Terrapin's Krunkles Down Under IPA today. Beer In Depth is a semi-recurring feature where Aaron and Tim investigate individual Georgia beers. Have a suggestion? Email Tim or Aaron! Spring is here, and much to Tim's chagrin, it's India Pale Ale season. No, seriously, Tim's coming around to IPAs. I'll...Aaron WilliamsAaron Williamsaaron@beerguysradio.comAdministratorAaron is the co-host of the Beer Guys Radio Show. He's worked in TV and radio for too many years to calculate. A degreed meteorologist, husband, father of 3 and a lacrosse dad.Beer Guys Radio Craft Beer Podcast
I think I’m right there with you. Really good IPA but the Hi-5 just barely beats it out. I think Hi-5 is my favorite out of all their beers, but after that it’s real close between this and the new Sound Czech..damn good pilsner
I’m going to have to try that Sound Czech. It’s cool to see some of the lighter beers coming out now. If you get a chance, try the Red Brick / Laughing Skull Lager. It’s a Helles-esque lager, and really crushable.
Is Krunkles fictional?! The world may never know. 😉
As long as he keeps cranking out those IPAs, I don’t care if he’s real or not.