Gordon Imperial IPA

Available: CO, MA, VA, NY (cans), CO, MA, NY, PA, GA (draft)

This beer arrived at my office literally days after I was joking with a colleague about the first barleywine we might see in a can. Well, Gordon isn’t a barleywine, but it is a very good double IPA, and that’s close enough for me. The nose offers a satisfying mix of chocolate, hazelnut, raisin and hop, while the body delivers a lovely balance of sweet toffee, berry notes, cocoa and, of course, a steadily increasing influence of spicy, bitter and citrusy hops. Relaxing nightcap or soothing restorative? Your decide.
- Stephen Beaumont

Whop-bop-a-lu-bop-a-whop-bam-boom! Little Richard would have been triple-hopping to this brew. Screaming hops, big bold citrus and floral character. Hops and alcohol create a tongue sensation. Brace yourself! Massively flavored, with extraordinary body. This ain’t your father’s beer nor your son’s or daughters! It’s all on its own. Fresh, lively, complex, yet you won’t believe when I say not excessively assertive. Well, actually it is, but if you brace properly you are in for sensual joy. Wow!
- Charlie Papazian

Okay, it’s a can —we all knew this would happen. The beer has a full copper color and stands a tight head, which... wow. A pure blast of concentrated orangey American hop aroma leaps out of the glass and smacks you in the nose. The palate seems sweet at first, but that’s the alcohol talking; malts take over and surprisingly mellow bitterness pulls everything into balance for a smooth finish. A virtual essay in hop flavor and aroma, this would be great with curried crab cakes. Wherever Gordon is, he’s proud.
- Garrett Oliver

Stephen Beaumont
Stephen Beaumont boarded his first plane at the age of 15 and hasn’t looked back since, obsessing about travel to the point that he gets nervous if he doesn’t have a ticket or two stacked on the corner of his desk. When he’s not running around in search of new taste experiences, he makes his home in Toronto, where a new cultural experience is only as far away as the next neighborhood.

Charlie Papazian
Author of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, founder of the Great American Beer Festival and a Beer Examiner at www.examiner.com, Papazian is a leading voice in beer and brewing.

Garrett Oliver
Internationally recognized brewer and expert on traditional beer, Garrett Oliver is the brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery and the author of The Brewmaster's Table.

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