Méthode-Man
Mad Farmer

16 ounce can into tulip glass; no can dating, but was just released. Pours crystal clear deep golden/amber color with a 1 finger fairly dense and fluffy off white head with good retention, that reduces to a minimal spotty lace cap that lingers. Minimal spotty lacing on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Good appearance. Aromas of big grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, lime, peach, pear, pineapple, red apple, white grape/wine, gooseberry, passion fruit, mango, melon, citrus peel/rind, wood, peppercorn, pine, cracker, white bread, light honey, herbal, and floral/grassy earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of citrus/fruity/earthy hops, grape must, and moderate pale malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, lime, peach, pear, pineapple, red apple, white grape/wine, gooseberry, passion fruit, mango, melon, citrus peel/rind, wood, peppercorn, pine, cracker, white bread, light honey, herbal, and floral/grassy earthiness. Light-moderate pine, citrus peel/rind, herbal, floral, woody, grassy, peppery bitterness; and slight grape tang/tartness on the finish. Lingering notes of grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, lime, peach, pear, pineapple, red apple, white grape/wine, gooseberry, passion fruit, mango, melon, citrus peel/rind, wood, peppercorn, pine, cracker, white bread, light honey, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/earthy hops, grape must, and moderate pale malt flavors; with a great malt/bitterness balance, and no lingering hop astringency after the finish. Moderate increasing dryness from lingering bitterness. Medium carbonation and light-medium body; with a very smooth, moderately bready/grainy, sticky/resinous/rindy, fairly crisp, and lightly tangy/tannic balance mouthfeel that is great. Minimal warming alcohol for 9.8%. Overall this is a great imperial brut IPA. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/earthy hops, grape must, and moderate pale malt flavors; dangerously smooth and fairly crisp to drink; with the modestly bitter/tannic/drying finish, not aggressive. Great Hallertau Blanc/Nelson, and Pinot Gris grape must profile. Very vibrant, dank, and earthy balanced hops/fruit; solid pale malt backbone, with minimal residual sweetness from crisp resin dryness. A very enjoyable offering, and spot on style example for an imperial version.