Rodeo Clown Imperial Hazy IPA
Karbach Brewing Co.

RB transfer

 

 

 

The appearance of this beer is enticing, with a light musty golden color and a gentle haze, topped with a frothy head that dissipates into a thin ring of bubbles. The carbonation appears lively and effervescent, creating an appealing visual presentation.

On the nose, the aroma is subtle, with mild notes of citrus, particularly orange zest and lemon grass. While pleasant, the aroma lacks the intensity and complexity that is often expected from an Imperial IPA, which typically boasts a robust hop profile.

The taste is where this Imperial IPA falls slightly short. While it is enjoyable, the overall flavor profile is milder than expected for the style, with a predominant sweetness and only a modest level of bitterness that emerges in the aftertaste. This may not satisfy those seeking the bold and assertive hop flavors that are characteristic of Imperial IPAs.

In terms of mouthfeel, the body of this beer is on the lighter side, which could be a departure from the traditionally fuller body associated with Imperial IPAs. However, the crispness of the carbonation adds a refreshing quality to the beer.

Overall, while this Imperial IPA is decent, it lacks the exceptional qualities that one would typically associate with the style. It may be worth trying, but I would not consider it a staple in my regular beer rotation, as I have encountered more robust and flavorful examples of Imperial IPAs in the past.

Very fruity and goes down easy. Probably the first IPA I really love.

 

12 fl oz pull-tab can from a $18.99 USD Karbach variety box/12-pack nabbed at a Bread Brasket in Austin, TX.

"Imperial Hazy IPA." 8.3% ABV, 20 IBUs.

A bit warmly boozy. Murky mouthfeel. Muted indistinct flavours. Dull tired hop profile. Thick, lacking drinkability.

Subpar work from Karbach, but I've had worse.

C- / BELOW AVERAGE

Smell is a bit citrus with pineapple and orange / lemon. Color is a nice thick amber with a tad bit of cloudiness, so much that I can't see a finger behind a shot glass of it. The head is very thick and sticks to the sides of a glass. Taste is of a piney grapefruit, which delivers with DIPA hoppiness and goes back to a strong citrus on the finish. Quite good.

Poured from stovepipe can into tulip, monster off white head, good retention and lacing. Hazy bright golden in the glass. Coconut, orange and grapefruit on the nose. Taste follows the nose, tropical, citrus, grapefruit, coconut, and they managed to keep a small bit of underlying dankness in the form of overripe pineapple, slight punch in the middle. Finish is on the light bitterness side with residual coconut and tropical fruit on the palate. Why they decided to double down on this beers namesake (which borders a barley wine) I don't know, but none the less it is a good beer. Alcohol is hidden well and the finish keeps you coming back for more. Told myself I wasn't going to grab any of these, but saw them on the shelf at HEB and grabbed this one and the tropical one.

 

 

Poured from a can into a pint glass
Appearance – The beer pours a hazy orange amber color with a one finger head of white foam. The head fades rather fast leaving just a trace of lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma of the brew is strong of a tropical fruit smell of tangerine, papaya, pineapple, and mango. Along with these aromas comes big smells of a grapefruit and pine hop as well as a bit of herb. Rounding it all out comes some aromas of a bready and doughy smell, producing a rather nice aroma overall.
Taste – The taste begins with a bready and tropical fruit taste as may have been anticipated from the nose. At the same time there is a grapefruit hop taste that is a mix of bitter grapefruit rind, and sweeter ruby red grapefruit. Other flavors of a light herbal and pine hop are there as well, both of which grow stronger as the taste advances, some at the expense of the grapefruit (just a light decrease). All the while there is a little bit of a graininess and some hay, which overall leaves one with a nice, not too bitter, but moderately hopped taste to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the brew is thick and chewy with a carbonation level that is rather low. For the style and the abv. the feel is good and makes for a nice sipper.
Overall – A rather decent and enjoyable hazy IPA. One to give a go to if you have the chance.