Great Divide Hercules Double IPA

12oz bottle. Pours a bright, clear orange-amber color; off-white head with solid retention and mixed-bubbled lacing. Lots of aggressive, piney and earthy hops in the aroma; slightly astringent, but generous with toffee maltiness underneath. Medium-to-full mouthfeel: intensely chewy and quite agressive hop character (following the nose): piney, earthy bitterness, chewy malt underneath (caramel, toffee, nuttiness); not even close to balanced - a straightforward hop-bomb that’s a bit too astringent and too aggressive for me to really enjoy this. Not exactly my ideal hop profile, and low on the drinkability scale for me. Some hop-numbness on the tip of the tongue, which is nice. Lengthy, numbing finish: earthy and piney bitterness, chewy candy sugar and caramel.

bomber into tulip. Pours amber orange with medium sustained head. Aroma is grass, hops, pine. Creamy mouthfeel with malty sweetness quickly giving way to dry bitter finish. There is a lot to rate here but it’s not my favorite IIPA.

bomber into pint glass. Completely transparent copper brown color with perfect, slightly off-white head and soft carbonation; nice lacing and lasting head. Aroma is all hops, primarily floral with a sweet citrus undertone. Smells really fresh and juicy. Hop flavor is ironically different, primarily piney and biting instead of soft; very refreshing and strong hop character. Though extremely bitter, the finish is smooth and comfortable. As it warms the alcohol comes out, but goes well with the strong piney hops. Nice on the palate: coating with soft carbonation and smooth medium body.

The beer pours a reddish copper amber color with a lazy cameral colored head that doesn’t hang around. The nose is weak. But the taste makes up; the beer is all about hops I get a mix of aromatic sweet hops balanced with a bitter tasting hop. A very good beer overall.

22 oz. bomber. Vibrant, copper/amber pour with an active head. Nice lacing. Sweet, malty pine/spruce nose is not overwhelming, but rather enticing. Flavor tends toward the malts over the hops, although the bitterness builds over the back of the tongue and into the throat. Nothing is overdone here except the overall product. A really well-balanced brew. You’ll feel the alcohol later, but it’s well-hidden in the drinking.

As brutal an imperial IPA as the Greek hero from whom it takes its name. Hercules makes Chuck Norris look like a fanny. When he wasn’t slaying hydras and lions, Hercules was wrestling the three-headed dog that guards the gates to Hell. Beat that, Chuck. I don’t know who guards the gates to Heaven, but I’ve rarely felt closer than after a bottle of this fine IIPA. It made a perfect nightcap. Must have spent almost an hour of happy sipping, while my senses gently scrambled and nudged me towards bed. Appearance: cloudy caramel with an orange tint and some sediment. Short, enduring head. Aroma: classic APA fruit salad - ruby grapefruit, lychee, passionfruit. Palate: thin to medium. Australian IIPAs always seem to be thicker in body - why is that? Flavour: as subtle as a roundhouse kick. Mint oil, resins, blackcurrant jam, biting alcohol. Drying finish. Lovely stuff. (355ml bottle from the IBS, Perth. BB April 2008)

Glass: tulip Purchased at: Joe Canal’s, Lawrenceville, NJ Price: $7.29 Size: 22 fl oz ABV: 9.1% IBU: 85 Estimated Calories: 400 C RateBeer Rating: 99 Aroma 10 out of 10 Intensity: Strong Balance: Sweet Impression: Nice Malt Flavor: Sweet Toast Nut Caramel Hops Flavor:Floral Herbal Spice Other: Syrup, maple, nuts, grapefruit Notes: One of the best aromas I’ve encountered - fills the room. Appearance 5 out of 5 Color: Copper Clarity: slightly Dull Head Retention: Persistent Notes: One of the best head retentions I’ve seen in quite some time. Lacing is remarkable. Color is deep and very good looking. Body is not perfectly clear, but I imagine that’s by design. There is no mention of bottle conditioning. Flavor 10 out of 10 Intensity: Strong Balance: well balanced between Sweet and Bitter Impression: very Nice Malt Flavor: Grain Bread Sweet Toast Nut Caramel Hops Flavor: Floral Herbal Spice Resin Citrus Other: Grapefruit, orange peel Notes: quite spicy - could stand up to the most potent foods and flavors. Palate 5 out of 5 Mouthfeel Sensation: Creamy Slick Drying and Warming Body: Full Carbonation: Lively and visible Finish Length: Long Intensity: Strong Balance: Bitter Notes: The finish is superb. The carbonation is present and active. The mouth is affected and warmed all over. General Impression: 20 out of 20 Craftmanship: Excellent Freshness: Fresh Personal Taste: Loved Notes: One of my all time favorite beers - remarkably drinkable, smooth, bitter, sweet, and tasty. Beautiful to behold, and nicely crafted. Aroma is enticing. Price is reasonable for the product, and the finish keeps you interested. A superlative beverage.

Just about what you’d expect from Great Divide in the way of an IPA. 22 ozs. of hoppy goodness. A beautiful copper hue and a piny aroma are just the beginning of a true d2 IPA experience. Way far into the rotation.