phishpond417 (1861), Madison, Wisconsin, USA May 30, 2008 This beer will no doubt give you a good kick in the ass with the 13% abv. But it is a pretty smooth brew with the more than noticeable citrus hops and sweet undertones. Very little carbonation. Bright hazey orange colour. Head was full and rising, taste is wicked hoppy, astringent hop character. Sweet at times, bitter the rest- overall powerful and pleasent at the same time. Kevster (222), Bradenton, Florida, USA May 28, 2008 Bottle: Pours a hazy ruby brown with a thin tan head that diminishes quickly. Malty and hoppy aroma is sweet with hints of citrus, honey, and caramel. Hoppy flavor is full bodied with hints of grapefruit, raisins and caramel. Alcohol is very well hidden which equates to very easy drinking. Delicious! AllAboutStout (605), Cincinnati, Ohio, USA May 27, 2008 Pours brown in color with some ruby highlights. Rigorous pour creates no head whatsoever. Any head that tried to form was sucked back down into the devils lair. Smell is piney hops with plenty of malt to back it up. Kind of barleywine-ish. The first thing that strikes me upon tasting is the smoothness and full mouthfeel that it has. Not a tongue ripping TRIPA, but an incredibly smooth and easy drinking beer. Dangerously, there is absolutely, positively, no sign of the 13% alcohol that it states on the label. This beer runs down your throat and begs for another trip before you’ve even put the glass down. If you have multiple bottles in the fridge, this has potential to be a real shit-kicking night ender. Due to the incredible amount of malt that has been placed in this beer, I have to say that I think this would be great even after it ages for a while and the hops die down. Great beer, from an even better brewery. Oh, and did I mention that it is too easy to drink. Skyview (4006), Papoose Jct., Minnesota, USA May 26, 2008 Guest draught during Dark Lord Days 08. Pours a hazy dark reddish amber brew with a thick off-white head that has some excellent retention and sticky lacing. Aroma of sweet caramel malt, citrus and piney hops, a touch of molasses and some raisin. Taste is full bodied, heavily bitter with a hint of sweet caramel and raisin flavors. Finish has a lingering bitterness that sticks long after the finish. Wow, hell of (pun intended) a tasty IPA! HopBackDoc (393), Hatboro, Pennsylvania, USA May 22, 2008 Pours a copper with small off-white head. Aroma of hops, caramel malts. Flavor was earthy, citrus, and piney hops all rolled into one smooth, sticky and syrupy blend. There was a caramel malt presence that helped to mellow the hops. Lip smacking good and very drinkable, even at 13% ABV. This is the kind of beer you like to keep a few of them around. Hawksfan17 (717), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA May 17, 2008 Pours a beautiful reddish amber. It almost looks like brandy when you are getting low. Caramel malt, hops and notes of alcohol in the nose. It is dangerously smooth at 13%. Bitter undertones and you can taste the effects of the dry hopping. Leaves a tangy alcohol taste in your mouth but otherwise you don’t notice it. Warming and a pleasure to drink. Acknud (770), Morganfield, Kentucky, USA May 12, 2008 It is ok. An ugly brew with a murky amber cast. Little head. Nose is blown away by sweet malt. I find the taste to be over balanced to the sweet side. Finishes with a hoppy bite. Davinci (295), Chicago, Illinois, USA May 11, 2008 Pours a beautiful deep orange color with thin tannish head. Aroma is nice malt hop combo, alcohol not really present at all. Big flavors of stronf citrus and pine hops coupled with some rich balancing malt. Definite alcohol notes, but not overpowering considering it’s 13%. Very smooth mouthfeel with some sticky hop resins on the finish. One of my all time favorite Impy IPAs.
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