Avery The Maharaja Imperial India Pale Ale

Brewed by Avery Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Boulder, Colorado USA

A potent hophead’s heaven, enjoyed at the Ginger Man in an imperial pint glass. This fantastic brew leaves you as thirsty as when you started with its ridiculous dry mouth hopping. Citrus peel and Boulder must carry you into earthy grapefruit palate with well balanced malt levels building to its strength.

Why are there so many low ratings for this beer? DON"T BE AFRAID OF HOPS!!!Bottle. This might well be my favorite beer at the moment, summer 2005. I have always considered IPAs as my favorite style, but these new Double/Imperial IPAs that have been coming out over the last year or so are unbelievable. Maharaja is well hopped, but very, and I mean very, drinkable. it is very balanced for 112 IBUs. Let it get to nearly room temp to fully enjoy its hop flavor though, but if you are on this website you probably already know that.

The Maraharaja without question is an Imperial IPA and is massive in every way. The beer is 9.7% abv and clocks in at a tongue blistering 112 IBU or bitterness units. The Maharaja pours to a beautiful, bright, amber color with a thick white head that eventually fades, and a moderate amount of carbonation. The nose on this beer pulls you in with lots of pungent aromas of citrus and pine, paired with peppery aromas of alcohol. The body on this beer is hefty, with lots of good sweet and biscuit malt brawn, and outstanding candied citrus hop flavors. The Maharaja finishes with more malt, fruit, and hop flavor up front, then ends with an awesome grapefruit/lemon hop bitterness and warming alcohol bite that lingers on the tongue. This is a very impressive Imperial IPA. The fantastic hop character of this beer makes this beer a real hop cocktail of a brew. This beer is the perfect aperitif beer, or the perfect beer to sit and relax with after a long hard day. This is a beer you will want to sip and savor, so I would suggest drinking it before or after a meal, but not with a meal. It is very drinkable for such a high alcohol beer, so don’t make any plans if you are going to drink more than one 22 oz bottle. The Maharaja retails for $6-$7 a bottle, in select markets where Avery beers are sold.

2007 batch. Light amber with a white foamy head and a huge pine and citrus hop nose. Wow! Massive resin-y hops with a malty finish and an unexpectedly thick body. Nice carbonation to balance out the thickness so it doesn’t become too overwhelming. Move over hopslam....!

Batch 7 Feb ’08 Amber copper color followed by a fluffy off white head. Very floral hoppy aroma like a ripe grapefruit, almost imitating a perfume. Great structured body and nice carbonation. Balanced hop bitterness equaled beautifully by the sweetness of the alcohol. Crisp lingering finish. Have enjoyed since batch 2, but with the addition of the new boiler. The ’07, ’08 batches have been exceptional!

Stopped in to The Liars Club while in San Diego last weekend and took notes. I only had time for two beers – one of them being this. Was I hoppily pleased to meet the Maharaja. Boom! Hops. Since the nice bartender filled it almost to the rim, there wasn’t much of a head to enjoy. None the less, the flavor was very intense, yet well balanced. At 9.9%, I could get into trouble with this one. It drinks really well, finishes sweet.

Wow, what an ale. Just a hint too much alcohol content, though this ale has enough body and taste to compensate!!!