Neither Imperial IPA
Siren Craft Brew

A 330ml bottle with a BB of Dec 2014, so it's a bit out of date. Acquired a while back from Trembling Madness in York. A collaborative brew described as a post-prohibition imperial IPA brewed with corn and honey.

A: Poured into a Duvel tulip. Bottle conditioned. A hazy golden-amber hue with some chunky sediment and good carbonation. Produces a huge head of creamy white foam that lasts for a few minutes before subsiding to a thick surface layer. Slight lacing.

S: Aroma of rich, sweet malt with hints of mild fruity hops, subtle citrus, grain, barley sugar, corn, honey, faint floral notes, earthy yeast and a twinge of sourness. A whisper of warming booze in the background. OK, though the hops have probably faded.

T: Tastes of sweet malt with a restrained bitter finish. Notes of grainy malt, barley sugar, corn, mild honey, floral hints, mild fruity hops, earthy yeast and stewed leaves. Somewhat sweet, followed by a moderate, leafy bitterness upon swallowing.

M: Mouthfeel is smooth and tingly, with pleasant carbonation and good body. Somewhat astringent, accompanied by an aftertaste of sweet malt, corn, earthy yeast, subtle bitterness and cardboard.

O: OK, though doesn't really come across as an IPA (particularly an imperial one). Perhaps the hop character has faded too much. Looks alright, while the aroma and flavour are quite sweet and malty with hints of corn, honey and vague fruitiness. A mild bitterness underscores the sweetness. Good body; quite creamy. Drinkable enough but unexceptional - my impression is that the adjuncts don't improve the brew compared to an all-malt bill. An interesting experiment but no need to hunt it down.

 

 

 

Half pint.

A: Pale golden, very hazy, large head, moderate retention, lots of lacing.

S: Lots of mango, some molasses, quite medicinal.

T: Very sweet for an IPA, fruity, molasses, substantial burn.

M: Fairly crisp for abv, smooth, moderate carbonation.

O: Decent, drinkable beer, a sipper but I get the feeling they tried too hard.

 

 

 

 

 

On tap at Parker Pie. Served in a short pint glass.

Appearance - Hazy deep orange. Big white head. Laces very nicely.

Smell - Light citrus. More grassy hops, but the malt is more dominant. Bright fruity sweetness, presumably from the honey. Kinda smells wheaty.

Taste - It's got a grapefruit and pine hop flavor, but the malt is again the centerpiece. Sweet and doughy. Bright fruity honey flavors, too. Finishes with a strong sharp grain flavor, which I guess is corn.

Mouthfeel - Medium heavy. Well carbonated. Kinda sweet, but not offensively.

Overall - It's pretty good, but not the usual hop dominant profile I'd like.

 

 

A-Pours a copper color. Thinner, off white head. Not much lacing.

S-Balanced between sweet and hoppy. The hops are candied citrus, softer tropical fruits and maybe some grass. Caramel and fruity malt.

T-The hops take over more here. The yeast is estery. Also some caramel and even a spicy yeast flavor. The hops are of sweet, candied oranges, melon and peach. Also fairly grassy.

M-Medium bodied. Booze pops up slightly and heats the cheeks. Medium carbonation. Bitterness isn't excessive.

O-A tasty, unique triple collaboration. First sip was more impressive than any. The entire pint started to lose its luster with me just slightly. Still an above average brew.