Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA
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Tasting Notes
The aroma leads with assertive pine resin and grapefruit rind, backed by a dank, almost herbal hop character that comes from Sierra Nevada's use of whole-cone hops in a torpedo-style dry-hopping device. On the palate, the bitterness is firm and sustained without being harsh, balanced by a solid malt backbone that keeps the beer grounded. The body is medium-full for the style, giving it some chew. The finish is long, dry, and resinous — this is a beer that lingers.
About the Brewery
Sierra Nevada was founded in 1980 in Chico, California by Ken Grossman, and it stands as one of the foundational American craft breweries. The Chico Pale Ale alone did more to define what American hop-forward brewing could be than nearly any other single beer. The brewery now operates a second facility in Mills River, North Carolina, and produces an enormous range while maintaining quality control that many breweries of its scale cannot match.
Food Pairings
Burgers with sharp cheddar work well because the resinous bitterness cuts through fat and amplifies the char. Spicy Thai or Indian dishes find a counterbalance in the malt body, which tempers heat without wiping out the food's aromatics. Aged gouda or a strong hard cheese mirrors the beer's nutty, caramelized malt notes. Roasted or grilled sausages — bratwurst, kielbasa — hold their own against the assertive hop profile without being overpowered.
Style Guide
American IPA is defined by prominent hop bitterness, flavor, and aroma derived from American hop varieties known for citrus, pine, and tropical fruit character, typically in the 6–7.5% ABV range. The style evolved from English IPA traditions but diverged sharply in the 1980s and 1990s as West Coast American brewers leaned into high-alpha domestic hops and drier, more attenuated finishes. It sits between a standard pale ale and the more extreme double IPA — more aggressively bitter than the former, less boozy and intense than the latter. Malt presence is real but clearly subordinate to the hops.