Abita Select Imperator Black IPA
Abita Brewing Co.

 

 

A: deep brown; 2 finger medium tan head that receded to a wispy cap; OK lacing;

S: mil chocolate is predominant; pine in the background; a hint of tropical fruit as well;

T: bittersweet chocolate; roasted grains; a little coffee; moderate bitterness on the finish;

M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish;

O: 5 months past it best by date; not much hop character;

The bomber I had was dated March and I drank this on July 30. It was OK. it tasted like a fairly hoppy stout. I don't know if it would have been better fresher.

 

 

 

 

 

My friend brought me a growler of this and I loved it! Wish I could find more. Tastes and looks like a stout more than IPA

 

A: [4.00] Huge dense head. It is 4 fingers minimum. I could easily set the cap on the head and it would just sit there. As the head slowly recedes it leaves big chunky lacing all over the glass. The beer itself is a transparent brown. Like uncarbonated cola. The bottle lists the ABV at (8.0%). There is a best by date but it is smudged (it was on all 10 bottles on the shelf). I think it says 3/16/15... but I can't be sure.

S: [4.25] Nice open floral nose. Big and bold. Under the floral black IPA scents there are some hints of chocolate.

T: [3.00] The flavor does not follow the nose precisely. It has more of arust taste to it. It could be due to hop fade if my date estimate is correct.

M: [3.50] The beer seems pretty watery for a 8%. There is a bit of drying on the finish also.

O: [3.50] The pour and the nose were both pretty promising on this one. Unfortunately the taste is not quite there. I think this is an older bottle - but because their dates are all smeared I can't tell. So I rate it as is. There are many more Black IPAs that are better than this one.

 

 

Nice pour and aroma. Hoppy nose with some dark coffee notes. It has a great full, complex mouth and balance on the malt. Very tasty. Have not seen this too many places but will get it again when I do.

"In ancient times, the Imperator was the supreme commandor who led his troops to victory, just as today's Mardi Gras lieutenants kick off the carnival parades. Abita Imperator is a robust, black IPA brewed with pale, caramel, chocolate and black malts. It commands your attention with an intense hop flavor and aroma provided by Apollo, Cascade, Centennial, Citra and Amarillo hops. With a mighty malt flavor and intense black color, Abita Imperator reigns supreme." Brewed in the style of an American Black Ale, available in limited release 22 oz. bottles and on limited draft.

Poured from a 22 oz. bottle to a tulip glass. Served above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) Pours a frothy foam caramel cream head over a dark cherry cola brown body. Carbonation is mild and relaxed, retention is very good. Lacing is light and droopy. 3.75

(Smell) Aromas of bold citrus and grapefruit hops forward, moderate bitterness. Malt profile is a simple blend of pale, caramel and black patent malts with little roast and some modest toast character. Aromatic balance is slightly bitter over sweet due to a reserved sweetness and potency is moderate. 3.75

(Taste) Toasted caramel grain, black patent malts, some light roast and chocolate. The hop profile is somewhat milder with soft citrus notes of orange, light pine and a mild bitterness. Fairly tasty and enjoyable overall, even though the hop flavor profile doesn't match that of the aroma, there's some additional malt character that I didn't pick up on in the aroma. 3.5

(Mouthfeel) The texture is lightly oily, softly roasty, fairly clean and moderately dry. Carbonation is moderate, generating a medium frothiness and a lightly crisp finish. Body is medium for the style, medium+ overall. Balance is slightly earthy bitter over sweet. Alcohol presence is mild and there are no off characters. 3.75

(Overall) As far as price paid versus quality goes, Imperator is easily one of the best bargains I've received from this brewery. Decent malt and hop profile but primarily the hop profile doesn't match the tremendous power that the aroma suggests it to have, with lots of citrus and grapefruit flavor lost against a simple but solid malt profile. Regardless, this was one of the more satisfying beers that I have had from Abita Brewing and I recommend it as a reputable example of the American Black Ale style. 3.75

Abita Brewing Co.'s
Imperator Black IPA
3.65/5.00