“We love IPA. Especially big hoppy ones. This west coast style imperial India pale ale is not messing around. At 12%abv and 110 ibu’s, it’s the liquid equivalent of Lenny in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. Gently tending rabbits then suddenly….snap, it’s a whirlwind of crazy. Big citrusy aromatics, solid bitter backbone, and candy-like finish”.
Brilliant artwork on the bottle. Definitely an eye catcher. Poured into an IPA glass the colour of the body displays a deep hazy orange with a tightly packed one finger head that dissipated quickly. Despite the average head retention it laced really well. The aroma is everything it should be – big on grapefruit bitterness, hints of passion fruit, lychee, caramel, spice and a sweet candy sugar undertone. Excellent depth and dimension happening on the nose. Medium carbonation with a soapy mouth feel. Upfront the tongue is invaded with a big, aggressive bitterness and it’s reflected by the 110 IBU. A firm alcohol sting (12% ABV), grapefruit and resinous hops dominate the mid-palate and carry through to the back end. Long bitter finish. Bitter is the word here, but halfway through, and as the beer warms it does seem to ease up a little. If you love your IPA’s big, lethal, hoppy and bitter then this one is for you. We liked it.