Great Divide Hercules Double IPA

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

Cloudy amber with a rocky, lasting head and intricate lace patterns. Hoppy, inviting nose. Weighty, but very drinkable texture. Thick, cookie dough malts provided a nice malt backbone, which really seemed to tame the 85 IBUs. Juicy hops with stellar hop flavors and aromas (big notes of PNW pine and woodsy tree bark; earthy and wholesome) ... rich and satiating. Bitterness is surprisingly mild, relatively speaking, but complements the malts nicely. A rather complex Double IPA. Awesome! Really happy to see the explosion of big beers in Colorado, this being one of them. I predict that this beer will win a medal at the next GABF (as long as they enter it).

Fantastic, full-bodied IPA.... great hop and bitterness, but balanced with a nice malt character!Siimilar to Stone IPA.

2008-08-26, draught at Cockney Pub, 9-5-9-5-18=48
Hazy amber color, yoghurt-like head. Strong aroma of fruity hops. Strong body, supporting extreme flavors, where the toffee reigns, the resiny hops as well, and it has the required sweetness. An angry monster.

2004-11-13, bottle, 9-5-9-5-17=45
Hazy orange - light amber color; creamy head. Wonderful aroma, hops, fruits (oranges, grapefruit, ...), herbs, ... Excellent malty body, quickly overwhelmed by a crazy hopping, rising and rising... The final is strong, aromatic and very long, with more than a touch of bitter oranges fruitness. Extreme!

Deep copper in color, nice fluffly off-white head, huge hop aroma, full bodied, flavors were very well balanced, notes of pine, citrus, a slight touch of toffee, excellent malt profile to counter the huge amount of hops, very bitter & dry finish, lots of pine & nutty notes, very well done, great IIPA

Usually I think the Commercial Description is full of shit. In this case, I think it’s dead-on. (A brash but creamy wonder, Hercules pours a deep orange-coppery color, forming substantial lace in the glass. Hercules Double IPA delivers a huge amount of piney, floral, and citrusy hop aroma and flavor from start to finish. A hefty backbone of nutty, toffee-like malt character balances Hercules’ aggressive, punchy hop profile. ) One of my favorite IPAs. Aftertaste slightlly lacking--needs some finishing hops I think.

This is the first Great Divide beer I have tried since they just became available in Georgia. I was very impressed with the flavor, aroma and appearance of this very hoppy brew. Nice work guys!

22 oz. brown bomber bottle. No freshness date noticed. Poured out a deep, dark, copper color, with a thick, sticky, white-tan head. Left a very sticky lacing down the sides of the glass. Aromas are of alcohol right off the bat, malts, and of course, hops. Amarillo and Simcoe hops to be precise. Caramel aromas as well. Cotton candy aromas and spiced, mascerated cherries in the mix as well. A very complex IPA to be sure. Tastes are of malts galore, with a strong alcohol bite to it. Hops are muted at first, then explode on the tongue with a burst of spiciness and that classic Simcoe bite. Resinous hops stick to your tongue, and coat the mouth like crazy. The alcohol hits your brain like a sledge hammer when you least suspect it. This is one sneaky ass beer. Thick, rich mouthfeel conveys a sense of richness rarely attained by other IIPA’s. Rich caramel backs up the maltiness of this beer very well. A symphony of flavors and aromas tease your senses. Finishes sweet, malty, and hoppy all at the same time. This is one kick ass IIPA. Hats off to the great folks at Great Divide.

Love this.. If you enjoy IPAs, add this to your must try list. Bold, but not overwhelming. Nice hoppy tingle, but married to some sweeter undertones. Should sell by the 6 pack :-)