Legend Imperial IPA

Brewed by Legend Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Richmond, Virginia USA

Serve in Shaker, Snifter

send corrections   |   shelftag   |   edit barcodes   |   update pic

It is a funny thing, Legend’s normal beers are competent enough but never dynamic tot he point where I will search them out purposely. Their seasonals, however, are nearly all fantastic, or at least made with a more deft touch that gives them extra zing. Now with my two-cents laid squarely on the table, let me actually taste this thing. Nice, nice golden body that hugs the glass and leaves wet, sticky finger prints of lacing as it slides seductively down the rim. Aromas of slight hop oils are hammered down by a sickly overripe papaya/mango musk, not in a bad way though. It merely serves to alert the senses and remind the brain that this here beer is a big motha. Viscous, rich mouthfeel swaddled in tropical fruits coats the tongue, with resins cutting through and leaving a drying finish. Seems a bit sweet and unrefined, but, yup, gulp, I do think I will drink the rest of this bomber without much trouble. By the way, did I mention it was 9:20 in the morning? Don’t judge, it is my day off. End result= I wish this was a year-round offering, but I will enjoy it in the window it is offered.

5/23/07. 22 oz bottle. Clear yellow-orange with a trace of white foam. Nose is standard orange-grapefruit with brown sugar. Tropical fruits abound with the first sip; mango predominant. A piña colada martini? Gentle drying with some metallic. Tingly carb counters a slightly syrupy body. A tasty offering from Legend.

on tap-pours a white head and deep gold color. Aroma is citrus hops (cascade), sweet. Taste is citrus hops-bitter grapefruit, dry finish. OK carbonation.

22oz’er ... medium amber with a fortress of a foam head. Wow, this has one of the purest hop aromas I’ve experienced, like pure hop oil. And the beer is simply delicious, not too strong yet fully flavorful, grapefruit, pine, grass and white grapes. Solid-enough malt backbone in this finely made beer, yet another great brew from Legend. (#2843, 5/6/2007)

Draft. Translucent, orange-brown color. 1/4" head that slowly evaporates. Hoppy, fruity, with hints of pineapple and apricot. Thin body and limited staying power past the tongue. More citric-acidic sensation to the tongue than expected. Pleasing beer and quality mid-range selection.

You know what to expect with an IPA or IIPA, the only question is how is it executed. I let this one sit in my refrigerator for quite awhile, expecting that it wasn’t going to be well done. But they’ve produced an IIPA that provides enough backbone for me to get past the hops. In fact, there were some wonderful combinations of smells and flavors, making it seem like a well-done English barleywine or something else with that malty complexity. The aftertaste wasn’t problematic at all for me and it paired very well with some home-made pizza. Enjoyable.

Thanks to zrrbrrt for bringing this one to the tasting... Appears a lightly hazed orange/gold with a small white head. Streaks of lacing are left around the glass. Smell is of caramel, spices, pine, and citrusy hops. The aromas are actually very addictive. Taste is of a slightly astringent version of the aromas. There is a mild, unrefined grain presence, along with mixed sugars, fruit, and bitterness. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, grainy, sugary, and bitter. There’s balance there but it’s just a bit loose and not held together...if that even makes sense. Basically, the bitters and sugars are standing on opposite corners of the room, when they should be mingling in the middle somewhere. Overall, not a bad brew though.

Pours a lightly hazy golden amber with an average off white head. Aroma was king of vegetable...with hints of citrus, pine and caramel. Seems like if they dry hopped this one the hops may have sat around a little too long in the vessel. Also getting light hints of citrus and pine along with some caramel and bread. Flavors of the same...lightly bitter. But the hops still have seemed to get a bit vegetable. Would be interested to find out which hops were used in this one.

On tap at the Green Leafe....big translucent dark amber pour. It’s served too cold so the initial nose isn’t much to write home about..some sweet malt and light hoppiness. Taste is big hoppy bitter with some definite sweet malts.....hops are spicy, citrusy, some piney-ness. I like the hop profile, but something about this brew doesn’t have me flipping like many double IPAs do. Medium bodied....ends with adequate hop dryness. Good, but not great.

Bottle. Pours hazy golden with a medium sized head. Feels somewhat alcoholic and perfumed. Hoppy and kinda sharp. Hints of pines and flowers.