2021 Project: First Ascent

Name: 2021 Project: First Ascent
Brand: River North Brewery
Rating: 3.95 (171 reviews)

River North Brewery

Denver, CO

Tavour Rating

3.95

Style

IPA - Imperial / Double

ABV

11.1%

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A Note on This Beer

An 10.9% ABV IPA!?

We don’t need to tell you that double-digit hopbombs are rare. But, there’s a lot more than just the staggering booze level to get excited about in today’s Project First Ascent!

To start, this West Coast-style beast gets a three-way hop treatment with a rarely-seen combo of Talus, Citra, and Simcoe.

The body starts buzzing after a couple sips, but the hops’ zesty mimosa and juicy pineapple flavors keep the brew shockingly drinkable throughout. Resinous pine comes through loud and clear on the finish, leaving the palate primed and ready for another luxurious swig!

First Ascent comes from Denver’s renowned River North Brewery — the folks who practically built the Mile High City’s famed RiNo brewing district! Everyone from Brewbound to Colorado’s own 5280 Magazine praises the “creative muscle” behind their beers.

And, if you’re quick enough today, you’ll get to experience that muscle first-hand with this hopped-up masterpiece. Just be sure to sit down when you take your first boozy sips.

Tavour strictly supports independent beer. River North Brewery is certified independent by the Brewers Association

Reviews

3.95

171 Ratings

Darkbeer69

4.5

This beer was crisp, hoppy, a bit fruity but not like a haze ipa. I was amazed even as the beer warmed how cloying the ABV was start to finish. Extremely well made, wish I had gotten more than 2.

jeremy3421

4.25

Crisp and clean. Exactly what you would want from a west coast ipa.

ted1442

4.75

This what an IPA should be! Hoppy nose, good character and a crisp, bitter finish. 11.1% ABV doesn’t hurt either.

vincent677

5.0

Wow that was good! Did not expect it to be so smooth with that ABV! I would dip again into this DIPA

timp

4.25

This doesn't taste as strong as it is, so it could be dangerous. More of a traditional IPA flavor (i.e. no big citrus/fruit flavors, but there's a little pineapple to it).

Cannadycannady

4.0

Double with triple ABV that drinks like a single.

vincent628

3.0

I’m this one was off for me. While the ABV wasn’t all that detectable, the hop profile seemed to be missing something.

connor716

4.25

Balanced like a 7% ABV - sneaky good 11.1% ABV hidden in smooth hops

randy1067

3.75

Classic West Coast style IPA/Double. A little on the thin side, palate wise.

angel825

5.0

Smell and first taste of bitter hops finishes with sweet, crisp flavor.

derek1998

4.0

smooth and slightly bitter but good finish

VisualeyesAerial

4.0

Not bad, but not my favorite.

originalXfactor

0.5

Project? Unfinished work.

jessica1211

4.0

Smooth for 11 percent.

matt7024

3.5

For an 11%er, this is a tasty beverage. A little too piney for my liking but I won’t complain considering it gets me where I need to go quickly

BradSoHard69

4.25

Smooth! Barely any bitterness. Sign me up for two of these.

Sprangs

3.5

Maybe mine had turned, but not enjoyable

ernest143

3.75

This little beast had a kick. It was pleasant

ChicagoCascade

4.0

Dank AF nose, earthy. Pours clear, light amber with decent head. Mouthfeel is clean, crisp. On the palate, notes of pine, grapefruit. Nothing prominent but still flavorful. Moderate bitterness. Quite approachable. Would never believe this is 11.1ABV

robert2864

3.5

Just a bit too hoppy and too strong for my taste. Weird, normally I like em like that

CleveBrewDawg

3.5

A bit muddled for my liking, but decent overall. Malty as hell!

isaac585

3.5

Was pretty good for an IPA. Pretty strong on the alcohol. Got you buzzing quickly.

dan14146

3.75

Pretty smooth for a double ipa.

Zsnyd78

3.25

Very hoppy and less booze than I expected. Very smooth. Doesn’t do much in terms of pineyness or citrus for me but I may have to have my second can later.

PokerPhD

3.75

Nose is like an earthy walk in a wet pine forest. Pours clear amber with balanced hops and bitterness. I wouldn’t guess it was 11.1 ABV.

jade151

5.0

OMG!!!!! smooth as Martinelli’s Apple Cider. Real citrusy on the nose then cider on the back. Watchout for this one. Like creeper weed...smooth then head change halfway thru. Absolute delight.

kyle1027

3.5

Boozy without enough else in the background. Too sweet.

sean104

4.25

This is a great beer for a hard day .... strong boozy with good hop flavor and clean like a crisp Pilsner but this is so much more love this beer 🍺

liefeld

4.0

Very boozy but still an excellent composition.

daryl169

5.0

One of the smoothest double IPAs you'll ever have

Artsbrews

4.0

Smooth dangerous

Barry

3.5

Too sweet, too boozey, not enough West Coast

Carsonparr12

4.25

Dangerously smooth

brandon5159

5.0

Very good!

jason5008

4.5

juicy, citrusy, and hoppy

Nnoble9

4.0

crisp finish. good classic IPA for a hot summer night

diannewiser1

3.0

not that good

tim14201

4.5

Crisp mouthfeel with a very clean finish. Deliciously balanced pine, resin and grapefruit notes. Perfect beer for summer weather.

Bosco

4.0

crisp and ‘shockingly drinkable’

millhouse2881

4.25

Pretty good. Pine, citrus and sweet.

bruce659

4.25

Thing beer is strong but not without flavor.

robin309

4.5

wow! sweet, juicy, hoppy…

cooper96

5.0

For a 10.9% abv this has so much flavor

sean104

4.5

This is a great beer for a hard day .... strong boozy with good hop flavor and clean like a crisp Pilsner but this is so much more love this beer 🍺

aidan121

5.0

A very nice and flavorful plus good refreshing Double IPA from Denver!

Breuboat

4.5

probably one of the best doubles i’ve ever drank. It’s super smooth and is completely wether you drink it in the can or poured out.

encore

4.25

Hoppy, with a sweet lime twist and some pine needles. interesting and well done

Friarboy

4.0

Good smooth high ABV IPA. I’d definitely buy a sixer of this, than fall asleep.

Fresh_hops

4.0

Kinda blehh

Antcarcass

4.5

Sneaky ABV! I found the flavor to be rich and smooth. Clean finish. Very nice.