Valley Brew Uberhoppy Imperial IPA

Formerly brewed at Valley Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Stockton, California USA

Serve in Shaker, Snifter

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6th annual Bistro IIPA fest. Came highly recommended by Aspidites. I was underwhelmed. Not much aroma to speak of. Hops are subdued in the nose. Beautiful, dark, murky, reddish amber with an off-white ring. Some lace, but not really. Not really enamored with it. This has 150 IBUs? Did I get the wrong beer (I don’t think so)? Not only are hops not all that prevalent in the aroma, this is a malt heavy IIPA. I’d like to give it another go given the opportunity.

Another huge thanks to Oakes for a bottle of this tasty brew. Deep brown beer with a very fine laced yellow head. Cloudy brew with suspended yeasty chunks despersed throughout. Massive chewy, resiny hop aroma. Sweet grapefruit, mango, papaya, tropical juiciness over some equally complex toasty caramelly malts. A hint of milk chocolate in the nose as well. Flavour matches the aroma quite well. Initial strong hoppy flavour, soft carbonation and very creamy mouthfeel. Tropical, amarillo/cascade hop flavour, light resinousness in the middle before the sweet caramelly and chocolatey malts settle into a soft, bready yeasty finish. Very unique brew, smells like a big hoppy IIPA with loads of hoppy aroma and flavour, but the flavour has only moderate bitterness. Lots of malty complexity without any roastiness. Hop flavour is incredibly fresh with light grassiness, sweet juiciness and even a kiss of spice underneath. Lightly warming but the alcohol is very well hidden. Soft and chocolatey.

Thanks to Davecooks for this bottle. Pours deep amber/copper, with a tan head. Aromas are pine, grapefruit, caramel, and malt. Flavors are grapefruit, caramel, pine and sweet malt. Very well integrated between hops and malt. Deserving of its top 50 rank.

UPDATED: APR 2, 2006 This is a nice brew. Big, grassy hop notes on the nose. Full bodied and a palate full of hops on the way down. Despite the 9.1%, this carries very well and the alcohol is definitely not hot ... heck, its darn well unnoticiable! Nice job guys!

Bottle, big thanks to DaveCooks: Pours a murky mahogany with orange hues and a frothy, nicely-lacing light tan head. Aroma is dripping with hop oils and fresh grapefruity hops with some pine. A toasty gingersnap cookie maltiness awaits beneath. First sip is of sweet toasted caramel malt, some light ginger and a bold peppery citrusy hop presence toward a nicely bitter, crisp, resiny finish that hides the alcohol quite well. Pleasant carbonation delivers bursts of grapefruity flavor. Nicely balanced, yet loaded with hops everywhere. A very enjoyable double IPA. I really wish this were more available.

Bottled. Clear brownish amber. Fresh juicy lychheelike hop aroma. Medium dry with soft rounded mouthfeel. Beautiful, solid malt character underneath a wellpointe lacquer of hops. Extremely hop aromatic, but the 150 IBU doesn’t hurt that much at all, instead the bitterness is just pleasant. Extremely drinkable for it’s size.

Dark amber colour. Fresh hop aroma is very blackberryish with a woody background. Very berryish flavour overall, with a toasty malt character. Interesting beer - distinctive and flavourful.

Thanks to DaveCcooks for this surprise gem. Poured a very deep amber color with a thin off-white head. Terrific hoppy aroma. Big pink grapefruit, pine, and citrusy orange flesh aroma. Sweet malt underneath. Flavor starts out malty sweet but quickly turns to a long last citrusy hop. Bitterness is moderate and well balanced. Nice warming sensation but well hidden alcohol otherwise. Medium to full body is silky due to low carbonation. Almost feels like a cask condtioned ale. My preference is toward a higher co2 however. This is a true IIPA. Big on the alcohol, hop aroma and flavor and big on the body without becoming a barleywine. Very nice indeed.

This Imperial IPA pours a dark amber color from a 12oz bottle. Small sized white foamy head. Aroma is floral hops and sweet. A medium to full bodied 2xIPA. Malts are fruity and sweet, touch of rye spiciness (?). Lots of floral and citrusy hops. Touch of spiciness, but lots of hops. Despite all the hop flavors, and this beer is full of them, its not that bitter, Very drinkable. Nice beer. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and smooth, Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

UPDATED: FEB 8, 2007 "Thanks to aspidites for this one!! This one puts Dreadnaught to shame. Too bad it isn’t bottled for the masses because this would quickly become tops on many peoples list. The nose is piney to the extreme, like a freshly cut tree in your glass. Appearance is that of a dark amber/mahogany color with hops oil present in the glass. Mouthfeel is very full bodied and incredibly hopped up. Hops resin, hops oil permeate this throughout. Caramel malt in it as well to help balance it out. This would make the lager-lover’s of the world curl up in fetal position and cry Mommy! WOW "