Hercules Double IPA - Great Divide Brewing Company

beagle75

Iowa

2.68/5  rDev -35.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Draft pour into a half-pint goblet at Whole Foods in Tustin.

A: Clear, light amber color with one finger of off-white foam head. Moderate lacing remains on the glass. Bubbles are visible rising in loose streams from the bottom and sides of the glass.

S: Toasted bread, earth, and dark vinous fruit constitute the bulk of this beer's smell. Occasional whiffs of pine foliage, caramel, and fusile alcohols break through (the latter dissipating after a few minutes).

T: Begins sweet, with intense pale and caramel malts soon joined by dark, treacly citrus hop aromatics. The middle remains hoppy, but some astringency and cloying soapiness also emerge. The finish dries out somewhat, with moderate bitterness and grapefruit peel lingering. The flavor of pure alcohol never really stands alone, although it may play a part in creating some of the less desirable qualities found here.

M: Medium viscosity, syrupy on the palate, with moderate carbonation whose presence is felt too noticeably.

D: This DIPA has a lot going on, but some of its sensory qualities are problematic. Flavor-wise it is big but not satisfying--the kind of strong ale that fatigues the palate almost after a single sip. In its defense, it probably pairs with savory food better than some other more noteworthy examples of the style. Within its style Hercules treads near to the barleywine border, cultivating dark flavors over bright--it will not be mistaken for a West coast IPA. It is similar in this sense to Ninkasi Tricerahops or Avery Maharaja, although both are superior efforts to this.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2010 06:07:18 | More by beagle75

Hellmeh

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -9.6%

06-20-2013 03:36:55 | More by Hellmeh

Turney

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

06-19-2013 23:16:01 | More by Turney

RichardMNixon

Delaware

3.5/5  rDev -15.7%

06-19-2013 21:58:16 | More by RichardMNixon

heavenlyStash

California

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

06-19-2013 06:09:01 | More by heavenlyStash

BurgeoningBrewhead

Pennsylvania

4.78/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into snifter; deep glowing orange/amber and cloudy, with a medium loose white head that fades quickly into a tight disc of foam on the top. Smells of sweet malts, and I do detect a bit of nuttiness like the bottle suggested; smells almost like a rye beer. Hops present in the smell are some grassy, and some of subdued sweet citrus. Taste is astoundingly different than any other DIPA I've had. Starts off with some sweet and a bit crackery malts, but then it's a hop show entirely. Big sweet citrus fruits meld into that odd rye-like flavor which I can't quite identify, and finishes bitter. Mouthfeel is big and smooth, alcohol is well-hidden. It's rare to see a unique beer in one of the most popular styles these days, and this one is outstanding.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2013 06:06:49 | More by BurgeoningBrewhead

TonyTalon

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -3.6%

06-19-2013 02:28:16 | More by TonyTalon

Agrzy

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%

06-19-2013 01:30:46 | More by Agrzy

bmoney

Ohio

4/5  rDev -3.6%

06-19-2013 00:34:36 | More by bmoney

sudsy2drunk

Indiana

4/5  rDev -3.6%

06-18-2013 18:53:53 | More by sudsy2drunk

Matthewpakula

Illinois

4/5  rDev -3.6%

06-18-2013 15:58:32 | More by Matthewpakula

bcsbeer

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

06-18-2013 02:33:27 | More by bcsbeer

phooky

New York

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

06-17-2013 18:41:15 | More by phooky

lcdawg

Mississippi

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

06-17-2013 00:58:43 | More by lcdawg

Shnanign

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%

06-15-2013 20:28:25 | More by Shnanign

Eaglefan344

Missouri

4.75/5  rDev +14.5%

06-15-2013 00:01:45 | More by Eaglefan344

psuscott1

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

06-14-2013 22:06:29 | More by psuscott1

gleemonger

California

4.4/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Slightly hazy yellowish orange with a small, creamy white head. Very refreshing looking.

Fairly subtle fruity hop aromas mixed with some sweet malt. Not the huge kick I look for in the style, but not bad.

Much more hoppy in flavor than in the aroma, but leans more toward the bitter side than anything - but doesn't linger much. Hops definitely pretty complex, with citrusy taking the lead followed by some pine. Really pretty mellow overall with not much of an alcohol presence despite the size.

Moderate body with a lighter carbonation, but with a little bite. Doesn't linger on the tongue. Pretty smooth DIPA.

Much more subtle than I expected - not as huge and complex as I normally like for the style, but a very good beer. This is one of those where you have to watch yourself, since it's so smooth and easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2013 19:49:48 | More by gleemonger

hoosier222002

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%

06-13-2013 03:16:06 | More by hoosier222002

MPSTARR

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -15.7%

06-13-2013 01:52:52 | More by MPSTARR

Gschaf

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%

06-12-2013 13:59:34 | More by Gschaf

OC_Beer_Fan

California

3/5  rDev -27.7%

06-11-2013 13:11:10 | More by OC_Beer_Fan

pkalix

California

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%

06-10-2013 13:03:02 | More by pkalix

NastyNate11

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

06-10-2013 02:05:40 | More by NastyNate11

Skunkyluvmuffin

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

06-10-2013 01:08:15 | More by Skunkyluvmuffin