From the Brewery: 

“Named after a super-robust New Zealand hop, Green Bullet™ is a well-balanced Triple IPA being bottled today for the 1st time ever. Brewmaster, Chuck Silva initially released this Pacific Gem to celebrate the Green Flash 9th Anniversary in 2011, and it was an immediate hit! Now, this cult favorite will be available from coast-to-coast as a seasonal release from September through December 2013.” 10.1% ABV Triple IPA

Purchased from The Fort in Fresno, California

The Pour: 

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into my Libbey stemmed ale glass. The body of the ale is mostly clear with slight haziness, honey-golden in color. Ample carbonation can be seen in the glass. A large yellow-hued/off-white head is poured, which retains well for a 10.1% beer and leaves good lacing throughout.

The Nose: 

Green Bullet has a strong tropical fruit and citrus hop profile. The main aromas I detect are grapefruit and lemongrass, with undertones of pine, floral hops, and even a bit of lime. There is also a very clean sweet malt profile. Some mild dankness is also present. While very similar to other West Coast style big IPA’s, the hop aroma is just slightly different than anything I’ve had, which is likely attributed to the New Zealand Green Bullet hops.

The Mouth: 

Green Bullet has a very rich body, with an incredibly smooth mouthfeel going down before giving way to a solid punch of hop bitterness. The tropical fruit aromas translate almost exactly to the flavors, and blend incredibly well with the smooth, sweet pale malt base. In fact, the beer is more balanced than it probably should be, as any “Triple” IPA should be a palate-crunching hop bomb in my opinion.  Some alcohol is noticeable, right in line with where it should be for the ABV. It finishes with tropical fruit, lemongrass, lime, and pine flavors and mild bitterness that lingers in the mouth.

Final Thoughts: 

I originally had this beer on my Beer-cation this summer, before Green Flash bottled it for the first time. I remember it slightly more fondly on tap, but the main flavors seem about the same. I’m not so sure what makes it a “Triple” IPA versus a normal Double IPA, as it doesn’t have any more ABV or hop presence than most Double IPA’s I’ve had. That’s not a damning of Green Bullet, because it is a really good beer. Its slightly unique hop aromas and flavor are refreshing after so many beers that go for pretty much the same hop profile. The Green Bullet hop profile is certainly a new favorite variety of mine, and I look forward to this beer being an annual seasonal release. If you can find it on tap somewhere, go try it immediately. 8.5/10

Green Flash Brewing Company – San Diego, California