Imperial IPA
Hale's Ales Brewery & Pub

You know, this isn't a bad little IPA. Pours a very pretty orange-mahogany with minimal head. Smell those hops - mmmm. Taste is not nearly as pungent as some IPA's, but hops are always present. Drinks like a pale ale, same kind of smootheness. All in all not a bad brew...

Lightly turbid orange copper hue. Uniform, solid, one fingered, persistent cream white head leaves loose lace. The fruit driven aroma is comprised of a gentle pine tinged grapefruit accompanied by hints of overripe peach esters. Mellow, buttery toffee and peppery ethanol arise upon swirling. Clean, somewhat tame aromawise. Simple medium lovibond caramel malt sweetness initially in flavor yields to hints of bourbon spiked sugar and butter macerated apricot. Hop presence, of a soft, ripe clementine flavor and rounded zest and pith like bitterness counters malt sweetness well, but hop character is too shy in intensity to be considered dominant. Moderate in body, but with an oily, buttery viscous mouthfeel that helps lend girth to the malt backbone. Drys slightly late, with hints of bread crust and black pepper lingering through the warm, pleasantly citric finish. A unique "double IPA" in its near balance of malt and hop character. Not as intense as other examples of the style. A tasty, dangerously drinkable strong ale, indeed.

Sampled in a 6 ounce taster at the Brewery Pub.

Beer pours a hazy amber with a long standing thick white head.

Soft thick nutty brown malt with a zesty piney aroma. Hops are surprisingly subdued throughout the beer and the finish which is thick and viscous.

As the beer travels down the throat a strong warming alchohol sensation is joined by a hop burn.