Middlebury, Vermont
Imperial Series: Imperial India Pale Ale
Style: American Double/ Imperial IPA
Availability: Year Round - released May, 1st 2009
Format: 22oz
ABV: 11.0%
IBU's: 135
Malts: 2-row, Munich, Carapils, Caramel 60L, Caramel 20L, Wheat
Hops: Bravo, Amarillo, Apollo, Simcoe
Bottle Text & Info:
Originally brewed for thirsty British troops stationed on the subcontinent of India, India Pale Ales had to withstand the sea voyage around Africa. Brewers need to take full advantage of two preservatives at the time: hops and alcohol. They increased their hopping rates, doubled their malt useage to increase alcohol content, and dry-hopped the brew before it set out on its voyage.
Our Imperial IPA carries on this tradition- and then some! The fruity and citrusy hop aroma intermingles perfectly with an assertive malty backbone. Our brewers added a generous supply of hops to this brew throughout the entire process to provide an enormous hop flavor and balance the elevated alcohol content.
Tasting Notes:
Previously known for their notoriously bad packaging, the guys and I from work were surprised and super impressed with their first imperial series offering: the Russian Imperial Stout. Could this guy follow in the footsteps of the stellar RIS? 11%! @ 135 IBU's ! For Reals! I don't think i've had anything over 110 IBU's. I knew this would go one of two ways. It'll either taste like a young barleywine or be a hop bomb. As much as i like barleywines, i was hoping for the latter. annnndddddddddddd. it tastes exactly like a young barleywine. Pours burnt orange with a thin off white head. Thankfully not too sweet or syrupy. Smells of sweet, bready malts reminiscent of some of the pubhouse brewed english bitters I've had. Some pine, some citrus (more Simcoe please), but the best thing about this guys is the warming (thank you 11%) from the tip o' the tongue to the bottom o' the belly.
This beer is a real wild-card. First one was flat, next one was super hoppy and syrupy. Good luck!
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