Goose Island - Imperial IPA

I suspect that having this beer following two other DIPAs might have had something to do with your dissatisfaction with it.

Or it's just not for you. Such is life.

 

I followed a hoptimum with a regular stone IPA and it practically tasted like a coors afterwards (exaggeration). This is your problem (though I haven't had the GI IIPA), I find ipas and dipas to be hard to review after even a couple.

 

I have heard its really piney which I am not a fan of for dipa's.

 

No, his dissatisfaction with the beer was because it is an average beer.

I was talking with the Goose Island beer rep here during Philly Beer Week and he was touting how only one keg of the Imperial made it to PA and how it was rated 100 on ratebeer and so rare to get. Well, I bought into the hype and drove to the establishment that had it (Capones) the next day just to try it. Total letdown.

My theory? Back in 2007 (last time I think they brewed it) was IIPA as popular today? I highly doubt it. Is it possible since that time so many great IIPAs have been introduced and brewed that are so much better that they make this one seem inferior? Possible, and that's my take. I don't see how anyone who is an IIPA fan can rate this beer anywhere near excellent, I just don't see it.

So to the OP, no you are not alone on this.

 

Just like Keith I went to Capone’s to try this 100 rated beer. I totally concur with Keith that the beer was just average. Given my expectations (a 100 rating!!), I was disappointed in this beer.

On the ‘plus side’ I did get a chance to have an extensive conversation with the Goose Island rep; he is in charge of barrel aging for Goose Island and I learned quite a bit about the commercial aspects of barrel aging.

Cheers!

 

Thoughts: I don't drink Goose Island. I refuse to give money to In Bev.

 

I haven't had a chance to try the 2012 batch (actually didn't know they had brought it back), but back when it was regularly produced I had it a couple of times and thought it was decent, but nothing spectacular that was a must try beer.

Does anyone know if they have changed the recipe at all? It was decent, but not spectacular before and I thought a little more of a malt forward dipa back when originally produced, and I do not recall any smokiness. Also not sure how intact a palate would be after drinking anything after Panzer Wolf (love that beer), especially followed by Hoptimum, but as I said before I did not find it to be anything special.

 

I will be trying the 2012 here in a couple of hours. Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock... I will be reporting back.

 

I just had it 5 minutes ago and my reaction was "RauchIPA"? Super weird. It sucked. Something is really wrong with that beer.

 

Where at?

 

Damn dude.

 

Red's

 

Didn't realize they had it on tap also.

 

Not surprised. Their standard IPA is one of the worst I've had...

I'll just stick to their Barrel Aged beers and call it a day...

 

I also had it at Capone's and I rather enjoyed it and I'm a big fan of DIPA's. As far as being "rare", I could care less, it was one I've always wanted to try and was happy to find this one. In fact, I was in Philly on business and purposely stopped there on the way home just so I could try it.

 

Allot of people said it was off. It wasn't much different yesterday from when I had it three months ago at GI Wrigleyville. I heard people mentioning smoke flavors, bandaids, and what not. I however didn't get any off flavors, I just simply enjoyed it.