Iron Hill 2nd Degree IPA²

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Pours with a frothy, light tan colored head that starts out about a half-finger thick, but it remains quite persistant for a long time and even is able to produce some lacing patterns on the sides of my glass as I take each sip. the beer is a clear, deep, red-amber color that shows a brilliantly clear, deeply red stained, vibrant copper color when held up to the light. The aroma, sticky with hop notes, is noticeable as I am pouring this brew. At first smell the beer is very herbal, but an inspection of the aroma yields much more fruit-like hop notes. Massive tropical fruit notes of lychee, apricot, and light pineapple are accented by notes of bergamot syrup, and über-ripe tangelo are the dominant note at first. But then a substantial malt character starts to become noticeable, more towards the finish but with ample notes of toasted malt, biscuit-like grain and a powdered bread crust note mix in with the more noticeable fruit notes. Strangely the strong herbal notes that were noticed at first now only play a boosting, back-drop of a role that adds a touch of spice / edge to the other hop notes.

The first sip is much more herbal than the bulk of the aroma might have suggested. Piquant, herbal notes reminiscent of hemp oil, aromatic almost zesty menthol, substantial pine sap and a huge, biting bitterness serve as the dominant flavor notes. The hop fruit notes are still noticeable in the flavor, but play more of a supporting role (though they still play a substantial role); flavors of lychee, candied orange peel, ruby red grapefruit and tangelo all are noticeable from the beginning through to near the finish were the herbal, astringent, aggressive hop bitterness drowns them ultimately into submission. This has a fair amount of carbonation to it, it is prickly, with a zip to it that keeps it from being creamy and full. The body is full, lightly viscous, but not so heavy that I feel like this is a sipping brew (which is a good thing).

As the beer warms up a ways from its initial 50ºF / 10ºC temperature, the hop flavors become much more fruit balanced. The aggressive (they weren't overly so in the first place though) herbal notes become softer and superseded by zesty, tropical fruit and citrus flavors. Overall the beer becomes much smoother, more easy drinking and even less bitter on the palate.

A great example of a Double IPA, one that is thoroughly enjoyable and as an often-times hop-head, one which I can't put down. This doesn't break any new ground, but does have my preferred balance of punchy hop fruitiness balanced by a supporting cast of herbal hop notes and biting bitterness that I like best in my Double IPAs. Probably loses a couple enjoyment points for no other reason than not being original, which I objectively realize is completely unrealistic in a Double IPA for the most part. I would happily drink this all night though.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

This Imperial IPA pours a medium orange gold color from a growler. Small sized white foamy head. The aroma is caramel malts and floral hops. A medium bodied Imperial IPA. The Malts are caramel and sweet. The hops are floral and citrusy grapefruit. Nice balance. Good carbonation. Bitter without being over the top. Touch of orange oil. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly bitter with some orange.