Elliott Bay Hellmouth Imperial IPA

Brewed by Elliott Bay Brewery & Pub
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Seattle, Washington USA

Date: September 05, 2009
Mode: Draft
Source: Brouwer’s, Seattle
Appearance: clear copper, dense off white head, lots of lace
Aroma: sweet malt aroma, caramel and crystal, touch of butterscotch, floral and earthy hops
Flavor: sweet malt flavor, dyactyl sweetness, balancing hop bitterness, light bitter finish
Overall: another WA double IPA overrun with dyactyl
Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 11/20
Rating: 3/5.0
Drinkability: 6/10
Score: *4

Nose is rather grainy with some buttery notes, light sweetness, and citrus hops - mostly lime and grapefruit notes. Does not smell all that promising due to the butter. Golden hazy pour, thin head. Grainy malt bill, lots of bread, pale malts, not a lot of butter as I got in the nose. Nice juicy citrus finish. The hop profile takes a back seat to the grainy malt bill, but I enjoyed this one after I got over the odd nose.