Nelson Imperial IPA - Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

Philousa

California

4.47/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear sandy brown with one inch head that laces quite well. Floral, citrus, grapefruit aromas hit first, with a little skunky hops, and sweet pale malt. Easy on the tongue at first, I got tart, floral malt flavors, tasty but not substantial enough to be bready.This is all about the hops. I get hop oil taste and feel, and it's not even wet hopped. The oil flavor is still quite floral and easy going, it doesn't stick around too long. Light in feel, this beer is a bit watery and a bit oily with a wet finish.

Maybe it's because I came into this with low expectations, but this is one of the best DIPA's I've had. And yes, that includes Pliny. Nelson is just a showcase for floral, delicate hops. This imperial IPA doesn't hit you hard, but rather takes it easy and lets you explore the complexity in the hop profile. The malt is light enough to get you straight to the hops, and sweet enough to balance the bitterness. This is the first beer I've had that tasted wet hopped but wasn't clearly labeled as a wet hop beer. I don't have the bottling date because I recycled it soon after drinking it, but it had to be fresh to taste this good. This one is a keeper.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 04:05:34 | More by Philousa

immobileman

Alabama

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%

05-22-2013 20:27:20 | More by immobileman

dheacck11

Connecticut

4.53/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Pour is a glowing golden amber orange with a half finger of dense white head. Modest amount of lacing.

Nose is mighty strong, with lots of ripe, floral hops, and bright citrus character.

Taste follows the nose, with big fresh juicy fruits, passion fruit, a little grape fruit. Luscious throughout. Finishes with nice pine resin hop, with just a softest bitters too it.

Mouth feel is on the thicker side of medium. Works well with the flavors.

Really a fantastic DIPA. Love all the fruit and flavors. Could have used just a touch more hop on the finish for me, but really phenomenal overall.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 00:03:38 | More by dheacck11

Chegui

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +7.1%

05-14-2013 20:44:10 | More by Chegui

RuEXP1

Illinois

4.26/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A - Poured from Bomber into standard pint. Has a hazy golden/yellow color to it. Low amount of bubbles from carbonation, and a thin layer of white head on top. Good amount of lacing.

S - The smell is just plain awesome. I get hints of caramel malt, earthy, and citrus tones. Hops come through but not overwhelming.

T - Caramel is still there, but the hos come through for me more on taste than they do on smell. The citrus from the hops offers a really nice balance to the sweetness from the malt. Bitterness lingers after each sip. For being 8.6% it does not have an 'alcoholic' taste to it.

M - This drink is on the thicker side, but the carbonation comes out well when it is sipped. This helps it dissipate over the tongue quite nicely.

O - I was very pleased with this beer, not knowing much about it when I purchased it. The aroma is really my favorite part. The entire experience was enjoyable and I would buy this again (It's a good price for the quality!).

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 03:01:17 | More by RuEXP1

jjboesen

Maryland

4.2/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Having visited the Widmer Brothers Gasthaus during my many trips to Portland, Oregon (See Review), I was delighted to find their beers here in the Washington, DC area.

Nelson Imperial begins with a moderate head nestled atop a translucent copper body, which is home to a small, but determined, school of carbonation bubbles racing one another to the surface. The rim bears minor lacing that eventually slips away to leaves a resinous film stubbornly stuck to the glass.

The initial whiff is a plentiful bouquet of pine, apple and grass, which would be appropriate for taking a horse to the senior prom. Ha Ha – Charlie Babbitt told a joke. But enough of Rain Man references; the palate is immediately wrapped with a heavy blanket threaded with large spools of malt. At the end of the quaff, there is a subtle buttery texture making for a substantial mouthfeel.

As a Hop Head, I can attest to this exemplary version of our most popular style (IMHO). The Nelson Imperial proves that you can have hoppiness without the usual explosion of bitterness. But after all, it is brewed in Beervana - nuff said.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 00:04:26 | More by jjboesen

Geuzedad

Arizona

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%

05-09-2013 03:34:59 | More by Geuzedad

Brianinthewbl

Minnesota

3.25/5  rDev -18.1%

05-09-2013 03:34:28 | More by Brianinthewbl

leftoverburrito

Oregon

3.25/5  rDev -18.1%

05-09-2013 01:23:26 | More by leftoverburrito

nickleeye

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-06-2013 17:03:32 | More by nickleeye

jkn09

Texas

4/5  rDev +0.8%

05-01-2013 04:37:51 | More by jkn09

sdonegan

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +7.1%

04-29-2013 02:57:20 | More by sdonegan

SnowFlowMfg

California

4/5  rDev +0.8%

04-25-2013 20:32:21 | More by SnowFlowMfg

rbrefbeerman

California

4/5  rDev +0.8%

04-14-2013 03:05:26 | More by rbrefbeerman

blackcloud

Alaska

4.25/5  rDev +7.1%

04-10-2013 02:58:03 | More by blackcloud

innominat

Ireland

4/5  rDev +0.8%

04-07-2013 15:22:54 | More by innominat

garyford

Texas

3/5  rDev -24.4%

04-04-2013 20:22:19 | More by garyford

Remdog

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +0.8%

03-30-2013 14:12:14 | More by Remdog

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

3.45/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle served in a snifter.

L - dulled brass color with a white head that thinned to a ring.

S - tangerine and earthiness.

T - mix of sweet and tart orange/tangerine flavor with a twist of lemon.

F - medium bodied with mild carbonation.

O - tart and tasty.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 20:55:23 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

GuitarIPA

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +13.4%

03-25-2013 01:39:51 | More by GuitarIPA

martinlauridsen

Denmark

4.25/5  rDev +7.1%

03-22-2013 17:15:20 | More by martinlauridsen

Lare453

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%

03-22-2013 12:38:54 | More by Lare453

capuchinpilates

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +19.6%

03-16-2013 02:14:44 | More by capuchinpilates

SlickestWilly

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +7.1%

03-15-2013 22:40:28 | More by SlickestWilly

WillKillem

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +13.4%

03-15-2013 21:29:49 | More by WillKillem