Imperial IPA - Anderson Valley Brewing Company

chinchill

South Carolina

3.8/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in snifter at Thirsty Monk (NC). Pub's description brags of "20 separate additions of the finest Pacific Northwest hops".

A - small but lasting head over a hazy apricot liquid.

M - medium body cridp medium carbonation

T - Sharp hop bite at outset, with high IBU level immediately apparent. Unlike most IPA's, this one seems to become less bitter after the initial hop hit, which is not to say the bitterness fades away until long after swallowing. Nice mix of sweet malt and hops (both piney and citrusy), with some sweet notes and caramel peeking out from behind the dominant bitter hop flavor.

O - strongly flavored and bordering on challenging, but rather than leaving a strongly bitter grapefruit finish, this one ends with less bitterness than might be feared. Although clearly bitter, there's some sweet malt flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2011 18:18:11 | More by chinchill

thinwhiteduke

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -14.9%

06-17-2013 01:08:53 | More by thinwhiteduke

williamjbauer

West Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

06-14-2013 21:18:08 | More by williamjbauer

doremite

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

06-13-2013 22:45:54 | More by doremite

harrisjohnson

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +11.3%

06-13-2013 02:47:36 | More by harrisjohnson

RBassSFHOPit2ME

California

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

06-05-2013 23:58:21 | More by RBassSFHOPit2ME

pisano

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -14.9%

06-05-2013 12:37:20 | More by pisano

RXUYDC

Delaware

4.5/5  rDev +17.8%

05-28-2013 03:23:48 | More by RXUYDC

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