Triumph ipX

New Hope. Clear golden-amber body and improbable dome-shaped off-white head. Aroma of fresh wort and lightly aromatic, apple-toned hops. Much more character emerges in the flavor, which is very toasty with some huskiness, moderate sweetness, and substantial bitterness. Palatable fullness on the tongue. Belly-warming as it goes down. Strong and flavorful, but doesn’t deliver quite enough pleasing hop aromatics for me.

@New Hope–on tap-pours a creamy white head and amber/red color. Aroma is medium hops-grapefruit. Taste is medium hops-grapefruit, seondary medium malt. Slightly slick mouthfeel. Not too big. OK carbonation.

Tap at Princeton. Nice clear dark amber, thin head. Aroma is loaded with citrusy hops, some pine, grapfruit and has that amarrillo hop quality to it- almost orangy mango-like. Fruity flavor with tons of hops and backed by a good amount of malt- caramel and some chocolate. Pretty nice overall.

Tap in Princeton for the 11th anniversary. Poured amber with a thick tan head. It lasted longer in the smaller glass then the pint glass. Hints of currant, caramel, graitfruit and citrus come into the aroma. Taste was quite smooth for the strength wih a good caramel and graitfruit balance. Currant becomes more present as it goes down along with pear. I agree that the first few sips did not impress but as it went along I got more and more pleased. Very easy drinking Double IPA.

03.14.06 Tap at Princeton BP. This must have been a big hit last year because it ran out quickly then and, despite it being their 10th anniversary beer, they’ve made it again. I’m glad I finally got to try the stuff; I was bummed to have missed it in 2005.

The beer is dark amber-burnished copper, with a small but lingering whtie head that leaves a sticky bit of lace. Aroma is simple and fruity with a dose of canned pears, golden raisins soaked in water, and an early visit to the pastry shop. Spicy stuff, peppery and biting on the tongue yet with a full body, creamy. Pretty plain across the palate, but solid, firm, and seemingly headed on a true course. The beer at first doesn’t impress, but midway through the glass, it’s clear that the brewer had a direction in mind with this beer - to honor their flagship Bengal Gold IPA, not overshadow it. Indeed, it’s wildly reminiscent of the Bengal Gold, certainly not one of my own favorites, while often considered a solid beer in its own right. This one would be a good replacement for that beer, with nice balance, mild fruits and spice, and a nice little alcohol bite. My feelings are mixed.