Hercules Double IPA - Great Divide Brewing Company

VaterRoss

North Carolina

4.47/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bomber into tumbler, bottled Aug 15 2011.

Appearance is a hazy amber, has an off-white almost amber head. Head is large, even with a gentle pour. Head shrinks into a ring and very little lacing occurs. The nose is a bit surprising as a powerful biscuity malt with some caramel dominates the initial smell. Spicy hops come next with a resin smell coming out, a bit of alcohol at the end. Taste is fairly boozy with the biscuit malt coming out strong. Next come the hops with some pine, then resin. Hops are nice and strong nearly overwhelming the ol' taste buds as expected for the style. Finishes with a piney bitterness. Mouthfeel is medium weight, with some tingling from the hops (more in the throat than mouth) and some alcohol present.

This is an excellent DIPA with a strong malt that distinguishes it from the crowd. A good beer to share given its 10%abv and usual 22oz packaging.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 01:55:51 | More by VaterRoss

Cozzatoad

Italy

3.75/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle. No bottling date, just a best before date that states 1st of october 2012. Probably not super fresh but still fresh enough for reviewing

A- Transparent copper colour, great clarity. Little head forms (not that i expected much in a 10%ABV beer) but it has decent retention, though it leaves near to no lacing

S- Nicely balanced mix of citrusy, flowery and resiny hops among a hint of caramel. Pretty much what i expected but still very nice and refreshing

T- A bit of malt complexity in this one, not just hops: notes of caramel and a mild sweetness from the malts that lingers with the hop notes for the whole tasting and brings balance; the beer's overall feel is not as bitter as most american ipas. Then of course hops: mixed notes of resiny, floral and citrusy hops, though they somehow do not feel as bright as in other ipas i have tried. A hint of spiciness, probably from the esters

M- Medium to full body. Prickly, lively carbonation, expecially on the palate; a bit more on the juicy side on the tongue. Warming feel in the aftertaste, which is maybe the only way to tell that this beer has a 10%ABV

O- The ABV is wonderfully and deceveingly hidden, and that means very good drinkability. But still i liked their Titan IPA more, it felt as tasty and complex as this one but i kind of felt like it had a cleaner flavour profile. Still, a very nice beer

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 16:07:09 | More by Cozzatoad

BucannonXC5

California

4.15/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Color was honey caramel, almost red. About an inch of head in the initial pour. Nice bubbly lacing on the top. Sporadic film on the sides.

Smelled of caramel malts first, but the citrus hops aren’t far behind. Seemed to be more lemon than grapefruit.

The taste wasn’t as close to the smell as I would have thought. Not as hoppy as I would have thought. Caramel first, with citrus hops slightly following. Bitter finish.

Medium body. Thin texture. Average carbonation. Smooth, bitter finish.

A pretty good beer overall, but I was expecting a bit more. I’d still recommend it though.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 07:02:35 | More by BucannonXC5

DavidST

Texas

4.03/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into tulip glass, bottled on date of Oct 17, 2011. This pours a nice copper color with a head which quickly dissipates. The smells are of caramel malts, pine hops and alcohol. The feel is medium, lots of mouth coating hop goodness. The taste is pretty good and heavy, lots of hop bitterness, plenty of balancing sweetness but an obvious amount of alcohol burn.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 04:11:36 | More by DavidST

BrokenStones

New Jersey

4.08/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Rich copper, rich deep color. Golden yellow head, pours really nice.

S - A little flat a hint of sour, but pretty flat.

T - Rich, burnt sugar, carmel, mildly hoppy.

M - Round, supple, full, a large round total mouth coating.

A deep, rich copper, round and supple Double IPA. The 10.0 ABV can catch up on you if you are not paying attention (...like the 3rd or 4th beer in). All good, a nice Double IPA to finish a meal with.

Keep a few around, not your everyday go to, but a nice night cap.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 00:29:53 | More by BrokenStones

projectflam86

Ohio

4/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle.

A- Pours a murky yellow/orange color with a thick white head that leaves decent lacing.

S- Pine and citrus dominate the nose. Some faint malt sweetness along with a good whiff of alcohol.

T- Bitterness paves the way and finally yields to some citrus and caramel sweetness in the finish. Alcohol is very apparent. The hops are the showcase with a bit of pine and grapefruit.

M- Medium bodied with decent carbonation.

O- A little hot for my liking, but still a very tasty DIPA.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 23:05:26 | More by projectflam86

match1112

Illinois

2.98/5  rDev -28.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

clear deep copper body with two fingers of thick sudsy off white head, decent retention and lacing. smell is mainly caramel malts and pine hops, little citrus in the background. taste is more malt than hops, still tastes plenty piney, which i dont like. wish it were more citrus forward. has a medium body oily mouthfeel with decent carbonation and a long dry bitter pine flavored finish. this is a pretty standard dipa by many standards and falls short for me because i dont like drinking a christmas tree, prefear citrus forward ipas.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 18:14:14 | More by match1112

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This poured out as a nice looking clear copper color with a thick white head on top. The lacing was sticky on this brew. The smell of the beer was hoppy, full of citrus and pine notes on the nose. The taste of the beer had a good amount of pine like bitterness with some fruity citrus flavors. The mouthfeel of the beer was pretty good, it was nicely carbonated with a light oily feel to it. Overall this brew was pretty good, I would buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 01:58:47 | More by Knapp85

thierrynantes

France

4.1/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer bottle (35.5 cl.) purchased from Le Souffleur de bières, and tasted in 2011.

Appearance : orange amber color, with white foamy head (not persistent).
Smell : hoppy, malty aromas, and fruity esters.
Taste and mouthfeel : hoppy, alcohol presence with dry bitter finish with a long duration (85 IBU).
Drinkability : a very good beer in the style Imperial IPA, drink at cellar t°.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 17:58:49 | More by thierrynantes

gabedivision

New York

4.13/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle to a brandy snifter.
bottled 11/9/11

Pours a deep amber red, with burnt orange highlights. A big frothy 1 finger foamy head that slimes its way around the glass, exactly what i want from a DIPA. Big piny hops slam in the face, followed by big juicy citrus with a big sugary malt backbone. Citrus hops on the tongue, mango meets grapefruit, with a strong brown sugar follow up and a lemon meets aspirin bitter bite on the finish. This drinks exceptional, no way this is 10%?? Medium on the body, sugary and tart, bold hops with bitter finish, very creamy and smooth. This is a fantastic DIPA, the look is right the smell is right and damn the taste is right, cheers.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 03:36:34 | More by gabedivision

fostachild

Ontario (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

best before 15 aug 2012

poured a really nice clear copper/amber color. inch of off-white head. a thin ring is left about half way through.

smell had nice hops, malt, bitter aromas.

taste was a bit hoppy, very malty, well balanced in terms of alcohol. overall it was good but i don't feel like it captured a dipa that well.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2011 03:32:39 | More by fostachild

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.2/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

22oz bottle poured into a Pint glass.
Dated Nov. 9.2011

A - Pours a dark reddish-orange and clear. A two finger head that is a yellowish-tan. Good Retention.

S - Pine, Oranges, sweet carmel malts.

T - Sweet malts, then some citrus comes around. Finishes with a hop-grass flavor.

D - Good carbonation, sticky and sweet.

O - Sweet and malty. Lacking a hop kick.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2011 19:16:39 | More by HuskyinPDX

bmwats

Louisiana

4.18/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 650 ml bottle into a tulip.

A: Amber, golden hue. Pours about a 1 finger, foamy, bone-white head. Settles slowly, leaving a blanket of foam, and a persistent beer ring. Substantial, thick, dry beer ring lacing remains as you drink it down.

S: Baked bread, pine, butterscotch, clove, and lavender.

T: Mouth puckering pine, floral character of fresh lavender, and a bittersweetness of licorice.

M: Syrupy thick body. Piny hop is all infiltrating and clings to the palette throughout. Just a touch of sweetness in the finish balances out the bitterness.

D: Sip and enjoy.

Great atmosphere. Golden amber hue, with a really solid, foamy head, and substantial dry, sticky lacing. Nose is a great combination of hops, sweet, spice, and floral components. Very well balanced. Flavor is very hoppy and floral subdued with just a little sweetness. Overall, this is a great quaff.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2011 03:02:47 | More by bmwats

sixerofelixir

Ohio

4.18/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle. Bottled-on date clearly printed on front label side.

Pours a deep, clouded grapefruit-orange. Light tan ring. Bit of floating particles. Smell is earthy, musty, like old juice. Taste is nice - mellow, fermented fruit & rind, bit of melon, lots of sweet grapefruit. Feel is juicy and pulpy. Bitter citrusy aftertaste. Overall, a very nice drinker. Nice character, complex, and refined. One of my favorite DIPA's.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2011 06:09:58 | More by sixerofelixir

Meshuggah135

North Carolina

3.53/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: dark copper color, didn't have much of a head at all

S: very hoppy, pine smell too it.

M: has a mild carbonation, leaves a bitter aftertaste as well as a chewy feeling in your mouth.

T: a bitter, piney, caramel taste. Has a heavy taste of hops, typical of an IPA.

O: this is a pretty good beer. It has almost an overwhelming hoppy/bitter taste to it. It is also a strong beer, with a 10% ABV so it can sneak up on you quickly. Overall, a good beer, though not the best IPA that I have ever had.

Beer was served from a bottle into a glass mug

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2011 04:14:58 | More by Meshuggah135

Immortale25

Florida

4.54/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a snifter. Says Bottled On May 12 2011. Word.

A- Pours a cloudy copper color with a one finger head that lessens to a sporadic ring with great lacing creating stalactites of foam around the edge of the glass.

S- Vibrant, sweet hop aroma that's a bit perfumey.

T- Strong hop bitterness melds with a sweet, grainy malt structure that's just as strong. Alcohol is very well-hidden for a ten-percenter since only after a few hearty swigs do I feel the warmth. A hint of caramel. What else can I say? Spot on!

M- Medium-high carbonation with a creamy, silky feel that is a sought-after component in a double IPA (although this borders on a triple).

O- Strength is the name of the game and Hercules will always win! Score another winner for Great Divide.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 01:17:20 | More by Immortale25

TobiasGoth

Sweden

4.55/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance Comes down like a red amber/copper in my snifter. Giving a 1/2 finger of cap, leaving 1 finger lacings.

Smell Seriously, this brew’s aroma is like a raging bull running the streets of Pamplona. I’m about one foot away from my glass and already it’s like I’m drowning in the DIPA. It’s a complex story starring tobacco, smoke, orange rind, honey and lime all embedded in the subtlest aromatic hops.

Taste Boat loads of sugary sweetness, alcoholic and sticky but freakishly smooth. Contains cereals, nuts, oranges and pink grape fruits. In the background is an everlasting steady hops aroma lurking.

Mouthfeel Creamy and smooth liquid, prickling alcoholic presence and tickleishly carbonated.

Great Scott! This is bold and brave stuff. My preconceptions were… well I had none. I know this DIPA’s been around for several years but I like stumbling in the dark until I find light, or gold for that matter, which I did here. This is one heck of a DIPA. Now I’m really excited to sample the bottle of Grand Cru sitting on the shelf back home. Great Divide? Great Beer!

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 21:23:24 | More by TobiasGoth

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a slightly hazy golden copper with an orange hue, solid finger of soapy head, solid retention and sporadic lacing.

S - Soapy citrus, cedar and pine and some rich caramel on the finish.

T - Resiny hops, soapy citrus notes, the bitterness is subdued by the sweet caramel and toffee and the alcohol adds a hint of honey sweetness. At 10% this alcohol is incredibly well hidden.

M - Medium bodied, but comes across a tad thin for my liking. The finish is surprisingly wet.

O - A very tasty DIPA with loads of flavours and nicely balanced between the bitter hops and sweet malts. Easily drinkable, and at 10% that could be problematic.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 12:12:41 | More by andrenaline

at7000

Florida

3.38/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Too malty for an IPA or Double IPA in my opinion. Just not my cup of tea. I like strong IPAs, but much prefer ones with a crisp, clean, dry, hoppy finish. In fairness, Great Divide describes this beer as "hoppier and maltier" than a typical IPA. I think "malting up" an IPA makes little sense. It's almost as if the malts and hops are competing for the palate and it becomes chaotic, a sensory overload of sorts. It's a serious beer, I would drink it again, and I would rate it as a good beer in general. But I expect something a bit different in a true IPA. I'd have to give this one a C+ or a B-

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2011 21:41:03 | More by at7000

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.25/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

We pour a golden-red, sunset orange colored brew. It holds a two finger head of tan foam that is quite billowy and shows nice retention. This recedes and leaves a sticky lacing about the glass, with big bubbles to cover the surface of the liquid. Haze is minimal and carbonation appears near nonexistent. The aroma is a rich caramel malts and light molasses. Hops are equally as present, with stickiness, oil, grass, and a big helping of citrus. Thick cherries, medicinal phenols, and clove spice add a little complexity to the top. Booze appears more with warmth and stings the nostrils. As we sip, we begin with that booze, which sours and puckers. The grain is thick and steely, with darkness of the chocolate variety apparent near the peak, which showcases more toasted and caramel malts, with an even balance of soapy hops. We conclude with more soapy hops and a sting of booze. The hops are also a bit citric, with a final revival of sweetened and cooked caramel malts. The aftertaste breathes of booze and copper, with a bit of grassy hop bitterness. The yeast finally comes in, with an additional metallic flavor and final bittering inclusion. The body is medium to thick, and the carbonation is medium. There is a thin creaminess, but this is nice, with good froth and a sticky smack to the lips. At the outset this is super drying, with a coiny metallic coat around the entire mouth. The abv is appropriate, and the beer drinks moderately well.

Overall, what we found to be most enjoyable about this brew was the rich color and ample head. The lacing and stickiness were quite attractive, making it easy to sink your teeth into this one. Where we lost points was in the taste, which gave a great deal of attention to the malts and general bitterness, while underplaying the hops to the point of them being seriously missed.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2011 03:59:40 | More by TheBrewo

rightbrained

Washington

3.03/5  rDev -27.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I really wanted to like this. I like Great Divide, especially the Yeti and Fresh Hop. This one fell short for me.

A: Nice amber color and a bit murky, not much of a head. Looked appealing.

S: Smells like potato chips. You heard me. Potato chips. Did I get a bad bottle? Dunno, but I wasn't that impressed with the smell here. Sorry guys. My wife left me to the bottle (not that I was complaining @ ~10% ABV)

T: Not too bad, but not great. I was expecting more, but I'm not a fan of IPA's that taste like grain more than hops. I like hops if I'm drinking an IPA (double or not), and I didn't get them here. Reminded me a bit of the Great Divide Pale Ale I had on tap in Denver (not what I expected from a Pale, either. In fact the GD guys admitted that most people are expecting different taste based on the name). I think Hercules is just as misleading.

Maybe I didn't know what to expect from a "double IPA", but what I do know is that this is not what I expected, and not what I would get again when other choices are available.

M: Maybe a little more viscous than your typical ale. Again, not blown away.

O: Ah GD, how I love thee, but this just fell short. Especially at this price point. I know you call hoppy IPA's "west coast" IPA's, but if that's what people come to expect (as you admit yourself), then don't feel bad when our expectations fall short of your claims.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 07:37:38 | More by rightbrained

setexascustoms

Texas

4.22/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bottle.

A: Deep copper with a slight haze. One finger of rocky head that couldn't hold on against the high ABV, but still left some nice lacing.

S: Citric hops with some herbal and spicy notes. Slight dark fruits along with the bready malts.

T: Citric hops with a lot of bitter rind. Big malt back bone that is pleasantly sweet. Properly balanced with more of a malt presence as it warms. Slight warmth from the alcohol.

M: Medium bodied and slightly chewy, with lots of mouth feel and just right carbonation.

O: A good double IPA, but not great. It's a little pricey in my neck of the woods, but if it offered a better value I would definitely buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 00:25:10 | More by setexascustoms

KOrtega

Oklahoma

4.22/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle poured into a tulip glass (47F). Bottled 17 May 2011; served 15 Oct 2011.

A-Pours a cloudy golden orange. Thin head with heavy lacing. Lacing goes from rim to beer level with every drink.

S-Aroma is dominated by sweet/nutty malt with slight resinous/pine.

T-Primarily a nutty malt flavor; nice sweet caramel on the finish. Pine come through on careful drinks. The sweet malt and bitter hop flavors are balanced and last nicely.

M-Starts light and slick then finishes slightly heavier and sticky.

O-Given the big nose and bigger flavor, incredibly drinkable. The lasting flavors on the palate encourage another drink. The lasting flavor on the palate sticks but is pleasant given the sweet character of the malts.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2011 06:35:29 | More by KOrtega

jtierney89

New Jersey

4.65/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Was able to smell this beer right away when I opened it, and in a good way. Even from a distance the hop scents are abundant. Lots of citric oily ho scents and some dark fruits. Some pines scent's sting the back of the nostrils.

Raisins and other dark fruits up front. Some slightly spices hops in the middle. Not too much lingers other than some fruit taste and a slight alcohol presence.

All I can say is wow! I feel like this is how dipa's should taste. I thought 90 minute was fantastic but this somehow goes far beyond it. Super balanced, thick yet smooth, decent carbonation, and lots of hop presence. I love it! A very dangerous brew

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2011 22:12:11 | More by jtierney89

TheHoppiest

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a tulip glass. The bottle bears a "bottled-on" date of April 11, 2011.

Hercules has a strong, resinous aroma, with healthy doses of yeast, alcohol, and malt, with hints of pine.

Intense in flavor, with alcohol, resin, yeast, malt and pine combining for a wallop of hop. The bitterness is cut by the malt, but is still quite prevalent with a dry finish.

Medium bodied, the resin from the hops gives this a sticky, almost tacky feel.

This was one of the first DIPA's I had when I began my craft beer quest, and was a favorite at that time. While exposure to other breweries has widened my interests beyond simple hop monsters, I will always have a soft spot for this brew. Still, in my opinion there are many better DIPA offerings out there that you should consider before buying a four-pack of this ale.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 22:31:39 | More by TheHoppiest