Unplugged Imperial IPA
New Glarus Brewing Company

Unplugged Imperial IPAUnplugged Imperial IPA
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From:
New Glarus Brewing Company
 
Wisconsin, United States
Style:
Imperial IPA
ABV:
9%
Score:
91
Avg:
4.11 | pDev: 8.27%
Reviews:
130
Ratings:
147
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Feb 18, 2015
Added:
Jun 04, 2005
Wants:
  12
Gots:
  4
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Knuckles:
Photo of Knuckles
Reviewed by Knuckles from Washington

4.09/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured directly from the foil-wrapped bottle into my New Glarus Brewing Co. pint glass, all of which are courtesy of, well, me. I was in New Glarus as part of my cross-country beer trek, and as the town of New Glarus was only about fifteen or twenty minutes southwest of Madison, I had to stop. I've long loved the New Glarus Wisconsin Belgian Red (nee Cherry Ale), and am also rather fond of smoked cheddar. This stop gave me the opportunity to satisfy both my urges. As I was going batshit crazy in the company store (little tip: there's a grocery down the street that actually sells the beers for a little less), I decided to pick up a four pack of this beer. I gave one to BeerPanther, one to FirstMan, kept one for myself and now haven't the faintest goddam idea what happened to the last one. Who stole my beer?

Appearance: I poured it a bit to gently, and got almost no head. It was there, but only reluctantly, and didn't stay around the party for too long afterwards. It's shade of orange is just a shade darker than the melmac bust of JFK I have on my desk, but not as deep as I expect to see in an IIPA.

Smell: Wow. In contrast to the Big A that I had last night, there will be no ass kicking of the malts on the part of the hops. The malts play a huge part in the nose, battling for equal time with the aroma hops. Nicely done.

Taste: These two combatants are evenly matched, but it's almost like a bout of Polish boxing. Typically in an IIPA I expect a huge hop rush at the front, a nice malt middle and then a very hoppy finish (or, as in the case of the Big A, hops all the way through, but somewhat timidly escorted by the malts). This beer, on the other hand, gives them both fairly equal play in all parts of the taste. There is a definite malt middle, but the hops don't really dominate at any point. Even now, as it's sitting on my tongue, the malts are really overshadowing the hoppiness of this IIPA. MInd you, this is after I've let this baby warm up. Cold, the hops are much more prevalent.

Mouthfeel: Lusciously viscous, like a french kiss from your pint glass. It moves in and over your tongue, and then lasciviously meanders off down the throat, leaving only memories behind.

Drinkability: First few sips, I wasn't actually impressed with this beer. As it's warmed, it has definitely grown on me. I wish I could find that missing beer so I could.
Aug 27, 2005
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.39 by einman from Minnesota

Feb 18, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by zestar from California

Oct 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4.16 by pkkosmatka from Minnesota

Sep 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by emerge077 from Illinois

Jan 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by shirtless_mike from Indiana

Dec 01, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by coldmeat23 from Oklahoma

Jun 03, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by Nachos4two from Illinois

May 28, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Sparky44 from Illinois

Mar 27, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by spycow from Illinois

Mar 10, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by brandoman63 from Illinois

Jan 15, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by eawolff99 from Minnesota

Aug 27, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by Davit from California

Aug 03, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by LoraxLager from Wisconsin

Jun 15, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by Hophead101 from Pennsylvania

May 06, 2012
Photo of beergod1
Reviewed by beergod1 from Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a cloudy amber with a big off white head that stays well and laces the glass in sheets. Aromas of oranges, some grapefruit, and underlying caramel malt. Flavor is well balanced between grapefruit hops and caramel malts giving some orange flavor, some pineapple, good grainy notes too. Nice balance and good medium body. 10% abv is covered completely and the bitter dry finish leaves you wanting more even after the glass is empty. Of course...Retired.
Mar 04, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by ygtbsm94 from Utah

Jan 16, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by Grebdioz from Texas

Dec 27, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by Beertracker from Oklahoma

Dec 16, 2011
Photo of WoodBrew
Reviewed by WoodBrew from Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A buddy brought a bunch of samples from New Glarus. The IIPA pours an attractive slightly hazy golden orange with a decent white head leaving a nice lacing. The smell includes a interesting herb followed by citrus and a strong floral and malt notes. The taste brings more of the nose along with a bitter refreshing bite that combines with a strong malt. The mouthfeel was full/medium body. Not quite as high in abv as some IIPAs but was very nice.
Nov 05, 2011
Unplugged Imperial IPA from New Glarus Brewing Company
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 147 ratings