New England Brewing Company - Gandhi-Bot Double IPA

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. can, poured into a tulip glass

Gandhi-Bot, the canned Double IPA from New England Brewing Company, pours a very hazy orange body with minor tawny notes. The head is smallish for a beer poured into a tulip glass, but the foam is a frothy yellowed off-white that sports excellent retention. The foam leaves a solid ring of lacing at the top of the glass and bits of foam on the glass walls. The beer has a very tight hop nose with a viscous oily pine resin quality. Minor earthy notes mellow the pronounced hops in combination with a minor alcoholic, but not boozy, sweetness.

The body of the beer provides a velvety mouthfeel. The beer remains crisp despite the substantial hopping that lends a slick and oily character. This beer is absolutely huge with a dominating pine at its center. Resin is key to the hop component, but a minor woodiness plays off the earthy malt tones that underpin the beer. The grainy malts of the beer are crushed by the hop profile, but the cracked grains lend texture and a sturdy malt base. The finish is warming and the beer leaves your mouth with a viscous coated feeling.

Final Verdict: A

Southern Tier Brewing Company - 2XIPA

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a tulip glass

2XIPA from Southern Tier (unsurprisingly a Double IPA) pours a chill-hazed golden straw with a minor orange glow. The beer's large head is airy with a constant rising carbonation from the center of the glass. The slightly yellowed foam sports fairly solid retention and produces great, complex lacing. The oily hop nose of the beer is strong on the pine, with some definitively earthy notes and a very vague astringency.

Surprisingly, from the nose, the beer is not overboard on the hops and comes across quite malt-forward. Perhaps I was getting to this Double IPA a bit late and some of the extra hop kick had faded in the bottle. After a slight hint of vanilla, the resinous pine hops make a come back with a spritz of citrus. The hops fade fairly quickly into dryness and a distinct alcoholic heat, which is not overwhelming, but warming. The carbonation and malts leave a slight gristle on the tongue.

Final Verdict: B

Boulder Beer Company - Mojo Risin' Double IPA

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a tulip glass

Mojo Risin' from Boulder Beer Company pours a moderate orangy amber body with a slight chill haze. The head is large and fluffy with a lightly yellowed hue. The sticky foam manages solid retention and leaves thin clinging lace around the top of the tulip glass. The nose is defined by a pungent resinous pine hop aroma.

The beer is clearly strong and slightly boozy on the front. Quite hop forward, slick pine hops exude their essential oils. Light hints of grape fruit are apparent. There are very modest caramel notes in this hop-centric Double IPA. Caught at the end of the beer's prescribed life, the hops hold up quite well and have not succumbed to the big malts that give the beer its strength. The finish has a mild sweetness and a tinge of heat.

Final Verdict: B+

Shmaltz Brewing Company - He'brew - Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A.

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into pint glass

This rye-malt IPA pours a deep and reflective mahogany with a amber glow. The massive head is smooth and creamy with large craterous bubbles with a moderately soapy film. The retention on the head is great and lacing is light. The strong hoppy nose is at once earthy and smooth. Hints of vanilla and a resinous pine play with the caramel sweetness of the malts and the added body and depth of malted rye.

The spicy rye malt up front interacts with the strong hopping and accentuates the slick molasses of the beer. The hops are dominant, but cannot fully suppress the grainy and earthy malts of the beer or the strong alcoholic character. The alcohol component is strong and the beer seems quite boozy. It weighs in at 10%, which is high for a Double IPA, but it is far from subtle.

Final Verdict: B-

Shipyard Brewing Company - XXXX IPA

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. twist-off bottle, poured into a tulip

The clear amber body of this double IPA from Shipyard reveals a tight, rising carbonation. The head is large and colored in a yellowy tan. The foam retention is solid and the lacing is sticky and clings to the glass in large swathes. Toffee-like toasted malts define the nose with cellary yeast, hints of vanilla and a mild booziness. There's a light fusel alcohol and the beer seems to have minimal hops on the nose, although those present have a pine edge.

The beer has a mouthfeel that seems immediately crisp and pairs with the very strong character. The beer's alcohol is prominent, but not off-putting. Toasted malts play well with the hops, which are higher on the aromatics and accenting flavors than on distinct bitterness. The character of the beer's Cascade hops seemingly take center stage. There are hints of sweet fruit on the mid-palate that subsides to a dry, boozy finish with light oak elements.

Final Verdict: B

Sierra Nevada - Best of Beer Camp 2011 - Double IPA

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a tulip glass

The Double IPA from The Best of Beer Camp variety pack from Sierra Nevada pours a yellowy golden amber with a medium-to-large lightly yellowed, off-white head. Steady carbonation rises from the center of the glass, slowly refreshing the head, which musters great retention of the sticky and frothy foam. Piercing pungent hops define the nose and are highly citrusy. The mild underlying sweetness reveals the presence of the malts that seem barely present beneath the powerful hops.

The smooth and velvety mouthfeel seems almost creamy. For an imperial IPA, the body is remarkably vibrant. The beer is robust, but stays refreshing. Bitter citrus hops dominate with heaps of fresh grapefruit. A clean and grassy freshness gives the beer a definite Summer feel. The finish is crisp with a light booziness.

Final Verdict: A-

Widmer Brothers Brewing Company - Deadlift Imperial IPA

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a Mark Twain pint glass

The Widmer Brothers' Deadlift Imperial IPA pours a slightly hazy orange-tinted amber body with a medium-sized head. The foam is creamy with a yellowed hue and a minor hop oil sheen. The retention is moderate with extensive lacing. The nose is tight and potent with a hoppy bitterness. A huge citrus component supplements the clearly-sweet beer.

The beer has a thick, almost syrupy, consistency, which is broken up by some solid velvety carbonation. Citrusy hops are prominent with a defining grapefruit flavor. The hops transition slightly to a piney edge that balances the significant sweetness. The nectarous draw of the beer pushes the alcohol back slightly which manifests itself primarily in a warming heat. The finish seems slightly alcoholic and the beer leaves with a toothsome sugary feel.

Final Verdict: B-

Harpoon Brewery - Harpoon Leviathan - Imperial IPA

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a tulip glass

Harpoon's Imperial IPA, from the brewery's Leviathan series, pours a light golden amber with a honey glow. The large frothy head is facilitated by the tulip glass. The foam retention is excellent and the beer's sticky lacing clings to the glass. The pungent piney hops provide a sharp edge above a syrupy malt sweetness.

The hops are piercing and biting with a tight citrus component and heaps of pine needles. The ample bittering backs the sweet malts. While the malts are present, they're crushed by the hop character. There's a feint heat, but not much alcoholic bite, which is a plus. The balance isn't perfectly struck here, the hops seem a bit heavy handed, but overall a highly enjoyable Imperial IPA.

Final Verdict: B+

Sebago Brewing Company - Full Throttle Double IPA

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a tulip glass

Sebago's Double IPA pours a foggy amber with plenty of unfiltered yeast floating around. The head is very thick with a dense creamy consistency with a lightly yellowed color. The foam retention is excellent with lacing to match. The nose is very sweet with a distinctive fruity tone. The hops are lightly piercing and pack a citrusy aroma.

Big luscious hops define the beer with a tight, very piney flavor. There's a light vanilla component that helps to smooth out the bold bitterness. The pronounced hop character is the result of a 1 month dry hopping and an impressive hop bill featuring Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, and Simcoe varieties. The beers sweetness also shines through. It is strong, but not cloying and hides the alcohol well. The finish has a bit of a warming character, but remains very clean.

Final Verdict: A-

Lagunitas Brewing Company - IPA Maximus Ale

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a tulip glass

This American Double IPA from California-based Lagunitas pours a vibrant glowing copper with a mild visible carbonation. The head is moderately sized with a frothy, off-white consistency. Overall a bit smaller than I was expecting poured into a tulip, but the retention is solid and the beer produces great, thick swathes of lace. The grapefruit is huge in this beer's potent hop nose. Right off the bat it seems quite serious. There's a light toffee sweetness along with a mild astringency and slight alcoholic esters.

The beer's sweet malts are utterly crushed by the hops. The beer is quite hoppy with rounded earthy notes. The hops keep a drying and biting edge going from start to finish that keep the drinker on his/her toes and the palate on alert for the next onslaught. This Imperial's alcohol stays well hidden with only a slight betrayal of the beer's strength at the last second.

Final Verdict: A-

Coranado Brewing Company - Idiot IPA

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a pint glass

From Coranado's "Crown Series" of big beers comes Idiot IPA an 8.5% ABV West Coast-style Imperial IPA. The body is a deep amber with a mild copper glow with a fine yeast suspension that floats throughout the unfiltered beer. The beer has a thin head, but manages moderate retention and ends up with a light film of foam. The nose is complex with a light vanilla aroma and hints of candied fruits. The citrus hops come through with an overall ferocity. Overall the beer smells strong with an underlying malty and alcohol sweetness.

Matching the aroma, the beer also seems strong right off the bat. It manages, however, to hide its alcohol well and the sense seems to come primarily from the density of the beer. The beer is sweet with hints of caramel, but the hops steal the spotlight. There's a strong bitterness to the beer and the hops come through clearly with a slight grassy freshness. The beer wraps up with a bit of spiciness and leaves a lingering bitterness. Only the most mild alcoholic sweetness sneaks in at the last minute for a finishing touch.

Final Verdict: A-

Flying Dog - Double Dog Double Pale Ale

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a snifter

The Double Dog Double Pale Ale is quite strong Imperial IPA, coming in at 11.5% ABV. The body is clear and light with a glowing ruby hue. The off-white head is medium in size and gradually subsides to large sudsy bubbles. The nose is noted with vanilla extract and a distinct sweetness. The hops here are herbal and seem powerful. There's also a slight hint of alcoholic fumes rising from the beer.

The beer is very bitter up front and lasts nicely throughout. Overall the character of the beer is slight with caramel, but with an emphasis on woodiness with a drying texture. Unfortunately, there's not a considerable depth of flavor, or complexity in the hop infusion. The finish is long-lasting and the beer hide its alcohol fairly well. There is a mild, but pleasing, heat in the chest.

Final Verdict: B-

BrewDog - Hardcore IPA

Purchased From: Canal's of Hamilton
Serving Type: 660 mL bottle, poured into a tulip glass

Hardcore IPA is a powerful Imperial IPA from the Scottish folks over at Brewdog who've bought us some of the world's strongest beers, which are far outside of my price range. This IPA boasts a glowing copper-like body with orange highlights. The thick, sudsy, yellow-tinted head is long-lasting and great on lacing. The nose features a syrupy sweetness with piney hops and grapefruit citrus. There's a mild alcohol to it and a cool, almost minty, quality as well.

The tickling carbonation mouthfeel dances on the tongue that compliments a distinct spiciness to the beer. The grassy, floral hops are prominent, but not overdone. The malts provide a slight sweetness that balances the significant, but well-masked, alcohol. Hints of the hops last quite some time with a mild cooling tinge.

Final Verdict: B-

Mendocino - Imperial IPA

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a pint glass

Mendocino's Imperial IPA pours a slightly hazy copper-tinted amber. The viscous off-white head gleams with hop oil. The retention is solid and as the foam begins to dissipate it leaves light lacing on the glass. The nose is substantial with piney hops and some earthen tones. Beneath the hops is a detectable mild caramel sweetness.

The beer is quite hoppy with citrusy and piney flavors. The malt body sneaks in nicely in the middle, but aren't as sweet as the nose might have led on. Hints of vanilla mingle nicely with the malts and a late fruitiness develops as the beer begins to warm up. The high alcohol in this 'Imperial' is noticeable on the finish. Finally, a lingering sticky hop character persists in the aftertaste.

Final Verdict: B

Stone Brewing Company - Ruination IPA

Stone Brewing Company - Ruination IPA

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits

Serving Type: 12 oz. screen-printed bottle, poured into a pint glass

Ruination is another brash and confident beer from Stone Brewing Company. This one, an IPA clocking in at over 100 IBUs (International Bittering Units used to measure just how bitter a beer is) is supposed to instantly ruin the drinkers’ palate and turn every other food and drink bland.

Ruination pours a tremendous glowing orange body with a tight sticky foam head of crisp carbonation bubbles. The potent oily hop aroma is pungent to say the least. It’s got the potential to singe your nose hairs if you get too close.

The dancing carbonation is futile to cut through the hops essence. Orange and grapefruit citrus flavors make up the tingling hops that attack the taste buds.This beer is very bitter, but not overboard. It’s quite tasty and full of character, but at over 100 IBUs I thought it would be hoppier.

Am I ruined? I think not. Impressed? Yes.

Final Verdict: A

Smuttynose Brewing Company - Big A IPA

Smuttynose Brewing Company - Big A IPA

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits

Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a tulip glass

Robust and powerful IPA with a thick foamy head that has great retention and lacing. Very hoppy, but doesn’t overpower the citrus maltiness. The hops profile is floral and piney and provides a nice balance for the alcoholic sweetness that stays well subdued in this 9.6% monster.