Imperial IPA - Anderson Valley Brewing Company

DevilsCups

New York

2.68/5  rDev -29.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Grabbed a bottle of this at Halftime in Poughkeepsie NY.

A - Amber. Amber like the mosquito at the top of John Hammonds cane in Jurassic Park. Crystal Clear with a nice sticking head and decent lacing.

S - Cantaloupe. Nothing else. Not a hint of hops. The scent is musty cantaloupe or melon.

T - Similar to the scent, very subtle cantaloupe taste. The least hop-forward DIPA I've ever had. The only thing the hops contribute to this brew is bitterness, otherwise it's not the classic 'West-Coast style' hoppy DIPA. Malty isn't the word for this. If you're looking for a malt-bomb in a DIPA, this one's for you.

M - A tad over-carbonated in my opinion. The bitterness doesn't compliment the absence of hop flavors, but it's not overwhelming. Again, the only thing you get from the hops is bitterness.

O - Glad I grabbed one if only for the fact that it affirmed what I wasn't looking for in a DIPA. It's not a bad brew, but when they highlight the "excessive amounts of malts" on the label, please notE that they aren't kidding.

If you're a malty ale fan with a touch of bitterness, this one's for you. I guess I was just assuming something coming from Mendocino, CA would be hop-forward but I was wrong. Again, not bad, but not typical for a West Coast DIPA.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2011 04:30:57 | More by DevilsCups

GratefulNole

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +24.3%

05-24-2013 23:31:52 | More by GratefulNole

visionaries

California

4/5  rDev +4.7%

05-23-2013 17:36:50 | More by visionaries

abcdefghijkyle

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

05-21-2013 23:47:46 | More by abcdefghijkyle

johntfox

Florida

4/5  rDev +4.7%

05-21-2013 18:43:22 | More by johntfox

DasBoot2112

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +17.8%

05-02-2013 04:03:32 | More by DasBoot2112

InfernoBoss

California

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

04-28-2013 16:36:44 | More by InfernoBoss

LSx

California

4/5  rDev +4.7%

04-24-2013 19:58:45 | More by LSx

JWNYC

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

04-17-2013 18:01:29 | More by JWNYC

derkfromwi

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

04-09-2013 03:12:53 | More by derkfromwi

Mattias

Sweden

4.25/5  rDev +11.3%

04-06-2013 19:58:01 | More by Mattias

polopaul20

Maryland

4/5  rDev +4.7%

04-05-2013 18:23:56 | More by polopaul20

J10Jordan

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

04-03-2013 18:14:19 | More by J10Jordan

marct

Nevada

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

03-18-2013 00:52:21 | More by marct

Highstplz

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

03-17-2013 21:51:07 | More by Highstplz

phishsihq

Colorado

3.96/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Anderson Valley's Imperial IPA weighs in at a hefty 8.7% ABV and 100 IBUs. The beer was originally brewed to celebrate the brewery's 20th anniversary. It pours a slightly hazy, apricot color with a creamy, off-white head that provides some decent lacing. Citrus hops, mostly oranges and tangerines, provide a wonderful opening into this hop-forward nose. Floral aromas follow as the beer warms, and sweet, bready malt aromas underline the entire olfactory experience. The beer erupts on the palate with floral hop flavors taking the lead. As the flavors progress, sweet bready malt swirls with tangerines and pineapple on the way to a long sweet finish. Sweeter than most Imperial IPAs, the brew is medium bodied with a lighter level of carbonation. Sweet...

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 20:18:04 | More by phishsihq

Curtis

Utah

4.38/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a hazy dark gold, thick foamy head that lasted quite a while. Much cloudier than expected, almost Berliner Weisse or Hefe. Mounthfeel was exceptional. No harsh Hop after bitter. Aroma was fairly mild -could use a bit more. Fruity overtones, not too citrus, slightly floral. Smooth, very smooth The balance is exceptional, nice pale maltyness, blended with tasty hops.. Alcohol kick is fairly good at 8.7... it sneaks up quickly, yet quietly. I've had good experiences with this brewery (Boont Amber is a favorite) and they have impressed again.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 04:45:07 | More by Curtis

Phillyz

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +4.7%

02-12-2013 21:36:42 | More by Phillyz

BogBoyJD

Ireland

4/5  rDev +4.7%

02-11-2013 23:08:56 | More by BogBoyJD

thierrynantes

France

4.05/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer bottle (33 cl.) purchased from La Souffleur de Bière, and tasted 2013.

Appearance : amber color, with white foamy head (w lacing).
Smell : hops, malty and spicy aromas
Taste & mouthfeel : malty and dry hoppy flavors, leading with nice bitter finish.
Drinkability : a nice beer in the style American Imperial IPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 19:59:50 | More by thierrynantes

CommanderOfAwesome

California

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

02-04-2013 21:43:43 | More by CommanderOfAwesome

marlinsfan4

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

01-30-2013 04:22:42 | More by marlinsfan4

jsanford

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

01-30-2013 02:43:34 | More by jsanford

Huffs

New York

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

01-29-2013 13:40:16 | More by Huffs

BeerBeast

California

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

01-27-2013 22:32:26 | More by BeerBeast