840 India Pale Ale
Sunday River Brewing Co.

 

This beer starts with an awesome look: There's a complete coating of fine bubbled lace. While cloudy, the liquid issue dark amber/ light brown.

The smell is very mild. I detect only the faintest of hop.

The flavor starts with a good malt base. Quickly, it gives way to perhaps the most peppery hop swallow and finish. This is a very bitter DIPA. There is no notable alcohol. The body holds its own; it's rich with a lower level of carbonation.

This Imperial IPA (like all of their beers currently, 11/14/08) can only be sampled at the brewery. In the middle of nowhere, Maine. Damn! Off the tap it was a very cloudy copper/amber color. The golden head dissipated quickly and left little lacing. The aroma was hop heavy, floral hops, citrus hops and some semi-sweet pale malt. The flavors were huge and punchy similar to an old Ale. Very sweet at first with big caramel malt notes that were nearly cloying, also toffee and brown sugar. This was then tempered by the bitter hops which added citrus rind, and distinct grapefruit. The mouthfeel was very smooth partly because it was under-carbonated. The body was medium/full and the alcohol heat masked by the sugars. It was a fairly easy drinker for the style but not the best out there.