Supplier: Beer52
Another from the Californian brewery, this was their Imperial IPA which has now been discontinued as of October last year. I bought this a while ago and forgot about it so I'm not sure how if faired; it was bottled in April 2015 and IPAs are better drunk fresh, though it's quite a high alcohol beer so it might have aged well. I served this slightly chilled, about 10C.
Another from the Californian brewery, this was their Imperial IPA which has now been discontinued as of October last year. I bought this a while ago and forgot about it so I'm not sure how if faired; it was bottled in April 2015 and IPAs are better drunk fresh, though it's quite a high alcohol beer so it might have aged well. I served this slightly chilled, about 10C.
Appearance: A nice golden colour with a slight marmalade hue, the head is a fresh white colour that thins to a ring of foam around the glass.
Aroma: Huge amounts of hop resin in the front, very sweet, possible supported by some sweet malt note. This is coupled with a salty note in the back.
Flavour: Really sweet hop resin on the front followed by some Honeydew melon hop notes in the back along with that salty-earth back fount in the nose.
Body: The prefect balance of refreshing and sticky malt giving it substance.
Aftertaste: That combination of stong alcohol and clingy hops, with a hint of tart pinapple in the back.
Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 9, despite being over 2 years past its bottling date it's still a fantastic beer, not too sessionable but great for a special treat.
Price Range: £4.25 for a 355ml bottle (usually £5, but there was 15% for US beers), this is a very good price for an amazing beer, especially one that is so strong.
Food Pairings: It's quite strong and complex so it doesn't really go with a huge amount. I want to say blue cheese, and whilst I think the flavours match, I think they are too independently strong to go together. So I think something like Buffalo mozzarella, tomato, and balsamico.
