Drinking Responsibly
Barrels & Bottles Brewery

my first one in ages from these guys, always loved their spot, heard they moved recently. anyway, cool they are still making solid beers, and this imperial ipa is certainly that, the name must be a joke, as this is pretty punishing, small doses for me and not just due to its strength, its pretty pungent and intense, flavorful and good, but its a lot. a little richer color to this but still short of the red range, a deep brassy look, pretty clear, and frothy white headed, looks good, unassuming. the aroma has some malt to it up front, a little more sturdy than it looks even, fresh toasted bread, an almost bagel-like aspect, some sweetness in the graham cracker and honey range, and then all the hops, pine forward with some easy to appreciate bitterness, dank too, and and a woody and woodsy complexion overall, some light metallic character at the end of it, some warming alcohol, maybe a little fusel, fresh but a little curious overall, intriguing anyway. bitter all the way through the flavor, white pine lumber, some oils heavying it up, spruce, a gin note, candied orange peel, some hearty malt sweetness in here too, good balance, exposed alcohol late, and quite a punchy lingering bitterness. this is tasty, but its a commitment, both in terms of abv and also for the palate, a little goes a long way. wintery in a way thats not quite in season yet, but its coming. cool to check in with these guys after some time away, the beat goes on...