Great Divide Hercules Double IPA

Brewed by Great Divide Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Denver, Colorado USA

Bomber. Pours a light gold with a thin white head. The aroma is mostly floral and pine hops. The taste is not really bitter as much as it is smooth citrus, hops, a smooth earthy malt and a sweet sugar cookie. More than any beer I have had this one is dangerously smooth; no notice of alcohol at all. Great.

bottle. Pours a light amber with a white head. Plenty of floral hops in the aroma with some peaches. The flavor is pretty similar, decent caramel malts with definite spicy hop character accompanied by some bittering hops. Not too bad, but not the brutally intense imperial pale I was expecting.
[Oct 14, ’06]
- Revisiting this I find I still agree with my previous assessments. This has a bit of tart citrus notes akin to lemon drops, and a very good malt foundation. I just think it screams to have more developed hop character.
[Feb 19, 2009]
On tap at the brewery. Pours a cloudy copper with a nicely formed head. Very hoppy aroma on this one, leans towards pineapple, orange, lemon. Judging by the nose, this doesn’t seem to be as bitter as one may expect from the style. The flavor is juicy and hoppy, not extra dry or piercing. Bright citrus everywhere, pineapple, dash of ammonia in the finish. This is a very drinkable and juicy IIPA.

On tap at the brewery. Amber color. Small bubble head. Super easy to drink. Great hoppy aroma.

Bomber from Whole Foods (Tampa, FL). Pours a slightly hazy dark amber to copper color with a massive foamy tan-white head that settles slowly. Aroma is sweet and floral with notes of pine, citrus, malt, caramel, honey, some hints of grapefruit and toffee. Flavor is sweet and floral with notes of piney hops, malt, caramel, citrus, some hints of honey and bitter floral hops. Generally medium body with a pleasing malty and floral hop finish.

Bottle. Great aroma, very hoppy and pleasant. A Great pouring ale with very generous head that somewhat stays. Very sweert and complex with a body that has thickness too it and goes down smooth. Great Imperial IPA and one to grab when I get the chance. Goes great with steak! Cheers!

Clear orange coloured, small head. Hops dominate, some fruity notes (grapefruit and citrus). Very bitter flavour, with a very long lasting bitter finish. Besides the hops not a whole lot is going on here. I must say i’m not a big fan of the style, i like hoppy beers to be less alcoholic and easier to drink.

Bottle. Pours a hazy copper color with a nice size off-white head and decent lacing. Nose is pine and citrusy hops and a touch of malt. Palate is piney hops first, then malt overtones. Bitter hops and alcohol aftertaste. A nice IIPA.

quickly becoming my new favorite (and highly accessible double ipa) Great balance, lots of hops, lots of malt, yada yada yada. Bottled Samples and on Tap at Milltown in Carrboro. Yummers.