96 Hop Craic XXXXIPA, Moylan’s Brewing Co. (CA). 10.3% ABV (2/13)
Deep amber color. Rich aromas of grapefruit-apricot-coconut chutney on pound cake with a vibrant fruity-yet-dry full body and a big, but surprisingly balanced flourish of citrusy, piney hops and mango custard on the long chewy finish. A great example of the OTT imperial IPA style.
95 Moylander Double IPA, Moylan’s Brewing Co. (CA). 8.5% ABV (2/13)
Intriguing aromas of dried apricots, grapefruit zest, lemongrass and oregano scream hop kiln with a supple, dryish medium-full body and a wonderfully astringent barky hop finish. Malt is the shy, but supportive partner in this hop dance.
95 G’Knight Imperial Red IPA, Oskar Blues Brewery (CO). 8.7% ABV (3/13)
Deep amber copper color. Fruity Brach’s caramel aromas suggest pineapple, coconut, mango gelatos and old school cannabis with a satiny, medium-full body and a tangy, roasted sweet potato, honey yogurt, kale and kumquat marmalade finish. Rich, well balanced and sensationally drinkable.
93 I2PA Imperial India Pale Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 8% ABV (3/13)
Golden amber color. Dense aromas of caramel, toast, forest floor, kumquat and papaya custard with a chewy, fruity-yet-dry medium-full body with complex notes, of mint sauce, peppercorns, nutshell, grilled tropical citrus, and bitter, piney barky hops. A big, rich hop fest. Drink in small measures.
93 Überhoppy, Valley Brewing Co. (CA). 9.5% ABV (3/11)
Deep amber color. Attractive aromas of peach butter, grapefruit marmalade and angel food cake with a supple, frothy fruity full body and a spicy apple-pear sauce, tropical fruit chutney, pink peppercorn, carrot juice and pine sap finish. Decadently rich and flavorful, yet remarkably sessionable.
92 Gubna Imperial IPA, Oskar Blues Brewery (CO). 10% ABV (4/11)
Golden amber color. Huge, savory aromas and flavors of baked kumquats, peppered okra, raisin bread dough and dried pine needles with a crisp, chewy dry-yet-fruity full body and a long, baked honeyed yam, grilled root vegetable, pine sap and peppered spinach finish. A big and brawny hop stew, not for the faint of heart.
92 Stone Ruination IPA, Stone Brewing Co. (CA). 7.7% ABV (2/12)
Bright pale amber color. Pungent cannibis-like hop and grilled apricot and pineapple aromas with a chewy, dryish medium-full body and a butter toasted baguette, root vegetable and piney, resinous hop finish. A serious explosion on hops.
92 Samuel Adams Third Voyage Double IPA, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 8% ABV (3/13)
Rich copper color. Aromas of mango-pineapple custard pastry and herbal hops are attractive with a supple, chewy fruity-yet-dry medium-full body and a long, well-integrated stone fruit compote, Italian herb bread and leafy greens-like hops. A delicious, artfully composed imperial IPA.
90 Hopsickle Imperial Triple Hoppy Ale, Moylan’s Brewing Co. (CA). 9.2% ABV (2/12)
Dried fruit and herbal mouthwash-like aromas with a supple dryish medium-to-full body and a minty herbal lozenge, corn pudding, grapefruit pith and twiggy resinous hop finish. An intense hop ride.
90 Reel Ales Hodgson’s Double India Pale Ale, Fish Brewing Co. (WA). 9.9% ABV (3/12)
Pretty reddish copper color. Bright chocolate orange peel, honeycomb, graham cracker and pine aromas with a chewy, fruity-yet-dry medium-full body and a long, tangy citrus, peppery, grassy hop finish. Very rich and refreshing.
90 Imperial IPA, Reuben’s Brews (OR). 9.4% ABV (2/13)
Aromas of grilled grains, citrus and root vegetables have a lightly soapy note with a chewy, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a tangy, well balanced kumquat marmalade, pine sapling and crème brûlée-accented finish. A rich, yet elegant and earthy IIPA. Try with carrot cake.
89 Imperial IPA, Granville Island Brewing Co. (Canada). 8.2% ABV (2/12)
Fruity vinaigrette on mesclun and grilled citrus and bread aromas with a supple dryish medium-to-full body and a long, zesty grilled fruit, salted pretzel bread and peppery hop finish. Nice balance and vibrancy.
89 Imperial Rye IPA, Reuben’s Brews (WA). 8.4% ABV (2/13)
Aromas of peach custard, hay and grapefruit marmalade on rye nut toast with a supple, chewy, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a long, drying earthy, spicy hop-accented finish. Well balanced and very flavorful.
88 Double Overhead IPA, Maui Brewing Co. (HI). 10.2% ABV (6/11)
Deep amber color. Mellow aromas of pineapple jam, grapefruit and corn pudding with a rich, chewy dry-yet-fruity full body and a savory peach custard, lemon pepper and grass finish. Serve with fajitas.
87 No Apologies Double IPA, Blue Point Brewing Co. (NY). 10% ABV (2/12)
Amber color. Aromas of margarine sautéed vegetables and dried citrus with a chewy, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a tangy, highly astringent nutshell, orange rind, peach pit and peppery, herbal hop finish. A hopped-up food beer.
87 The Intimidator Double IPA, Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery (NC). 9.3% ABV (10/12) %{Brewpub}
Aromas of roasted nuts, malt vinegar, grass, cocoa and dried fruits with satiny, finely carbonated dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body a warming toasted cherry-date bread and spicy and pepper noble hop-accented finish. An interesting U.K.-styled double IPA.
85 Imperial Jack Double IPA, Rhinelander Brewing Co. (WI). 8.5% ABV (2/12)
Fruity aromas of honeyed jelly danish, licorice and sarsaparilla with a supple, dryish medium body and salty pretzel and spiced nut-like hop finish.
84 Steelhead Double IPA, Mad River Brewing Co. (CA). 8.6% ABV (3/11)
Slightly hazy medium amber color. Aromas of escarole bean stew, hominy soup and pork fat with a thick, chewy, fruity-yet-dry medium-full body and a grapefruit curd, peppercorn, grass and pine finish. A good food beer.
84 Hop’solutely Triple IPA, Fegley’s Brew Works (PA). 11.5% ABV (3/11)
Aromas of coconut cream pie, pineapple-peach salsa and faint wood glue with a chewy, fruity medium-full body and a tropical fruit compote, green peppercorn and okra finish. A big, boozy and brawny IIPA try with pan-Asian food.
84 Hoperation Overload Double IPA, Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works (IL). 10.65% ABV (5/11)
Hazy copper orange color. Bold warm apricot and kumquat marmalades and fruit cake aromas and flavors with a juicy, fruity medium-full body and a peach nectar and orange cake, kale and grilled pineapple finish. A fruit-hophead-centric brew.
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