Iron Hill Holiday Ale (Imperial IPA)

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

Draft at Newark. Poured an amber-red color with a nice generous off-white (orange hues) head, solid lacing all the way down. The aroma was orangey fruity, citrus, woodsy. The flavor was firm hoppiness, spices and woodsy notes, bittering hops quite strong, firm malt backbone, orange flavors with floral hops too. Kinda like a stronger SN Celebration Ale with less complexity. Decent stuff.

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

I had Iron Hill Holiday Ale at the Newark DE location. It poured a nice copper colored body with a small head that left lacing. It had a malty, but hoppy taste. It seemed to have a slightly spiced taste this year. Overall a solid seasonal offering from Iron Hill.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 4

On draft, called Holiday Ale at the Newark, DE location. Poured a nice amber color with a small white sitcky head and some lacing. Taste was all bitter, bitter hops, and some alcohol, nothing else to back this up. When I questioned the bartender I was told, "It has the alcohol". I asked "Where is the malt?" Now I got a decent response from the bartender, "Ths second batch was dry hopped a whole lot, so you are right". He did offer to get me another, however I was just not in the mood to drink anything else at this point, so now I was ready to give some constructive criticism and before I could say another word, the other bartender came over and told me that I must just not like the style. So since I am not a person who enjoys confrontation, I left my 1/4 drank pint on the bar and left, after I paid of course. I did not feel like defining an IIPA to him. Iron Hill in Newark, DE has rubbed me the wrong way tonight, and I had been looking forward to this one.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

I had this at the brewpub last night and it as just like the description. Lots of malt and lots of hops. The beer looked great. Dark copper color with a creamy head that left great lace on the glass. Somewhat smooth but with a hoppy bite. At 6.9% abv it was pleasant and not too strong. What I didn't like was the way the sweet malt hit in the middle. It was kind of odd. If it worked in a little nicer it would be a much better beer to me.