Garrison Imperial I.P.A.

Brewed by Garrison Brewing Company
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Halifax, Canada

Serve in Shaker, Tulip

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Hands down, my favorite Garrison brew. I was amused when a friend of mine, who was drinking Keith’s Light one night, took a sip of this fine ale and his face scrunched up like a prune. Defintely for the true hops lover!

For years have I searched for my Holy Grail Ale. Venturing from the malt bottom of the spectrum, towards the high end of hops, I have longed for a striking balance somewhere in the middle. Suffice to say that Garrison Imperial IPA is exactly what I have been wanting. It meets my needs. The nose tingles as the glass draws near. The lips and tongue explore and explode as each flavour unfolds across them both. The afterward sits clean and delicious. It savours the flavours and draws the mind towards the desire for that following sip. This is a true beer lovers brew. I love it too... and it will be hard to go back to anything less.

650ml Bottle. Aroma is very floral and sweet with hints of citrus, vanilla, caramel malts. Taste is very impressive. Earthy, licorice notes, a bit of pine, juicy mango, grapefruit and vanilla. Nice malt in the background, almost cakelike! Medium bodied, uncluttered and balanced with a long long finish. This is right up there with the big boys, one of the best I have found.

one of the best IPAs I have had. strong initial hop flavour which continues well into the finish. a very pleasing beer to the hop lover

I’m in love!!! Huge amounts of citrucy, sweet piney hops! Medium mouthfeel, some subtle honey notes, and another grapefruit hop smash of a finish. The bitterness clings in my throat, I love it! I’m going to buy this by the case when it hits the lcbo shelves.

500mL bottle from a group order. Where has this beer been my whole life? Oh right Halifax. Pours a magnificent coppery gold with a huge khaki head. The aroma is so delightfully hoppy I can’t believe this is from Canada. Some caramalt too. Citrusy and piney at the same time. Flavour starts out super bitter, and ends quite bitter and dry from the ample hops of various variety. Awesome sticky sweet caramalt backbone that is actually kind of creamy feeling, but this one is all hops. The liquid is sticky and lingers on the palate for a long time which is awesome. This is possibly the best executed IPA I’ve had from a Canadian brewer. Beautiful.

Unfiltered bottle, shared with Hogtown Harry, Jerc, GregClow, and Blankboy, courtesy of me via Big Red and K.Dark glowing orange, good sized white fluffy head. Wonderful fresh hop aroma - outstanding - so fresh. Great taste - sprucey fresh hops, very dry finish, really long linger. Really stunning stuff, especially at this alcohol level. I have sampled again since this tasting and it holds up - this is one of Canada’s best beers, congrats Garrison.

Bottle thanks to okbeer. Pour is deep cloudy brown with large tan head. Aroma is strong caramel malt and huge pine hop. Aroma is huge and rich. Flavor is large malt up front with huge pine hop to follow. Flavor lingers for a long time and invites more and more sips. Really good stuff.

650mL bottle. 6.9%. Hazy coppery color with bubbly/frothy tan head leaving some lace. Aroma: you guessed it, hops. Fresh & resiny with hints of tangy citrus. Some slight roasty malt character peeking through for good balance. Mouthfeel is medium and a bit oily feeling. Flavor is cake at first with the grapefruit hops soon taking over, leaving a verry bitter aftertaste behind. Alcohol is well hidden in this beer and is very warming. I think this may be the best IPA in the Maritimes now..Verrry Nice!

One of the best balanced IPA imperials, at 7% not overwhelming, great colour, top of mouth feel bitter finish. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone