Imperial IPA - Anderson Valley Brewing Company

jakon

Oregon

3.98/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle

Pours copper with a forced 2-finger eggshell colored head that dissipates quickly while leaving behind sparse lacing.

The aroma is primarily of grapefruit and earthy hops. Not as powerful as I had hoped for from a fresh IIPA, but I can tell I'm about to quench my thirst for hops, and that's enough for me. The caramel malt is apparent, as well.

The taste is very nice. Big on the grapefruit bitterness with a nice background honey-like sweetness. This is a well balanced IPA. A bit grassy, but I like it. There are hints of various fruits in there too.

Overall, this is a nice, solid IIPA that I'd love to have around all the time. It's not a "wow" beer, but I think that's a good thing sometimes.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2008 00:55:32 | More by jakon

ccrida

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bomber poured into an imperial pint, the 20th anny is a clear copper with a large, pillowy ivory head that leaves avg lace.
Smell is sweet floral and tropical fruit hops, with an incredibly nice soft zing. I was underwhelmed until I realized how juicy it was and couldn't stop drooling...best on the colder side, I served this fridge temp of course.
Taste is loads of fruity hops but fairly well-balanced. Citrus perhaps a little astringent at first, but ultimately the malt sugars balance those out on the finish, which is dry, earthy and a tad blood-like. I haven't been too impressed with the last few Anderson Valley's I've had, but this has really restored my faith in my West Coast OGs.
Mouthfeel is pushing average for a DIPA, some stickiness but dried out from the booze and hops enough to keep the digestability higher...
Drinkability is really pretty good, refreshing, with a nice balance even though it drinks a little bigger then it is.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2008 09:33:28 | More by ccrida

unclederby

Oregon

4.15/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Well balanced 2IPA with an earthy hop profile.

In the glass it's honey-colored and has just a wisp of foam for a head. Minimal lacing on my Full Sail tulip. Smell is kinda sweet and malt driven - a bit like jarred cherries - and of funky, grassy, and herbacious hops.

The flavors are nicely balanced: this is immensely drinkable. Again, i would say this is a malt-driven ale, with a sufficient amount of hops that you know it's an IPA. There is a strong citrus presence tinged with lemongrass and a bit of alcoholic warmth.

Medium bodied with a slick, oily mouthfeel and complementing carbonation.

Hops are keenly used here to lend to aromatics and to impart spice; this is no over-the-top palate wrecker. This is one bomber i have no problem putting down and if not for the ABV i could easily do two, but i'd just grow tired and wimp out - fall asleep - and waste half a bomber.

I'll drink it again soon,
maybe tomorrow.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2008 07:55:21 | More by unclederby

largadeer

California

3.03/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance - Bottle conditioned in a 22 oz bomber. The beer itself is bright, clear amber with a frothy off-white head and an impressive stream of rising bubbles. The head retains incredibly well, leaving behind sheets of sticky lace as the glass empties.

Smell - Very hoppy and fresh. Aromas of fresh herbs, cut grass and lemons. Slightly medicinal. A hint of malt appears once the beer has warmed a bit.

Taste & mouthfeel - Pretty rough upon first impression. A semi-sweet malt foundation struggles to make itself known amidst the herbal, medicinal hop flavor. The bottle conditioning provides a soft and pleasant carbonation, but that's the only good thing I can say about the mouthfeel. Noticeable alcohol and sticky, astringent hops cling to the palate in the finish, making this a pretty tiring beer to finish.

Notes - A great looking beer with a fairly pleasant aroma, but it falls apart after that. Decent at best.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2008 01:12:33 | More by largadeer