Imperial Cloud Walker
Victory Brewing Company - Downingtown

 

Had this one on draft. Never seen it before, so I tried it. Now one of my favorites. Everything about this brew was exactly what I look for in a premium IPA. This was from a fresh keg with a nice 1 inch head. Definately one I will try again.

Juicy IPA! An interesting take on an emerging/evolving style!
Pours a lovely shade of gold, pumpkin with copious white foamy head that resolves rather quickly - cloudy with aromas of citrus, orange pith, tangerine. Taste is sweet malty biscuity on the front with solid orange and tropical fruit notes and a well balanced tartness at the end with some residual sweetness and citrus notes on the palate. Medium to full body - almost like orange juice without the pulp - pleasant citrus astringency and pleasant mouthfeel.
I was pleasantly surprised by the addition of the lactose - perhaps that accounts for a lot of the mouth feel.
I really enjoyed this one and would recommend to those who enjoy this style.

 

This one pours a fairly hazy golden yellow color, with a small head, and lots of lacing.

This smells like pineapple, peach, marijuana, and grassy hops.

This is really solid, especially for Victory, which isn't exactly known for this style, but are still a great brewery. It's pleasant juicy and citrusy, with a little bit of bitterness, and no real maltiness.

This is slightly creamy, with a good smooth drinkability.

This is a really solid grocery store option - much better than you'd expect.

 

Poured into a grip shaped goblet: color is hazy, dense gold, head presents 2 inches thick with a bright white color and then dissipates to a thin top with some spotty lacing on the glass sides.

Smell is sweeter malt, noticeable lactose extra sweetness, citrus pith and orange juice.

Taste is similarly sweet malt and noticeable extra sweetness from the lactose, flavor notes are the lactose like sweetness, citrus pith, mixed tropicals, some orange juice, alcohol is mixed in with the sweetness flavors and not really hidden

Mouthfeel is low carbonation, strong sweetness, lower bitterness, strong lingering sweetness and drying alcohol.

Overall a - I didnt notice the "with lactose" until after i picked up the 4 pack and think this would be much better without it as that level of sweetness and the 9.6% abv are a bit overkill; definitely sweet and noticeable citrus juiciness.

 

Looks is a hazy orangey straw color with a nice thick head of white from initial pour. It is not murky in fact held up to light you can see your cloudy finger on the other side.

Very strong aroma to this one orange and tangerine most notable to me. Follows by pineapple it almost smells like an orange like Hawaiian Punch.

Taste is definitely similar to the nose but I think even more Hawaiian Punch like with a tad of orange. It’s like the more prominent aroma switched spots in the taste.

Mouthfeel is medium and has a creamyness to it. I was gonna say I don’t think it has lactose but then I checked the can. Well the creamy feel makes sense now. Little touch of heat but very subtle for 9.6%

This beer is definitely really well made and to be honest I really am enjoying it for the style. I just wish it wasn’t 9.6% good thing I’m sharing. If you like juicy ipas give this one a try it’s very good

 

 

 

Why not fly high and empty a pint can into a clear Imperial pint glass? It won't be there long. It's a semi-hazy golden amber liquid without much head nor lacing. The smell isn't overwhelming either, but juicy hops can be picked up. It's a very pleasant way to imbibe a beer with a 9.6% ABV. That taste (of alcohol) is only noticeable at the finish. Before that comes a delicious sweet malt backed by a juicy hopped sensation that can go down a little too quickly. Unfortunately, the finish is a little sticky. As the race to up the ABVs without detriment to the taste continues, this one ups the ante. This is fast becoming the norm for the style, at least the good ones; a barley based wort with oates and even some wheat added. Additional lactose is almost always detrimental. If this is the New New England IPA, it's good, but the originals were better.

 

L: drinking from the can. it's a nice looking can...
S: high point. sweet citrus. very pleasant.
T: it's good, maybe very good but could be better. tasty sweetness at first then a bitterness that clashes a bit. so, it's good but doesn't get to very good.
F: smooth, rich
O: it's ok. had a shot to be better than that but didn't quite deliver