The Walls Are Closing In
Ethereal Brewing

If we are indeed among the end of days, we're going to need a strong drink to take along with us. Not going down without swinging, Ethereal has our collective and hoppy backs with an Imperial IPA that eclipses the double digit in alcohol percentage if those walls are indeed closing in.

And that namesake frame's their "triple" IPA as The Walls Are Closing In kicks off with a deep and slightly hazy golden chrome appearance. While its froth falls short, the aromas stand tall with honey dipped tropical fruits, citrus fruits, peppery herbs and fragrant pine. Its sweet taste though is deep with malt, sharing impressions of honey, caramel, agave and croissant.

As those lightly syrupy sweetnesses coat the tongue, the fruit flavors from hops slather upon the middle palate with peach, mango, orange, red grapefruit, papaya and apricot. A light and jammy taste keeps the fruit impressions plump, radiant and branch ripe before trending eventually bitter, peppery and resinous to close.

Gin spices, muddled spruce tips and sun tea all align on the finish for a full-bodied mouthfeel and a long aftertaste of alcohol spice, bitter pine and peppery grasses. If the walls are indeed closing in, at least there's a party for the tastebuds along the way.