Grumpy Troll Bourbon Barrel Aged Maggie Imperial IPA

On tap at brewpub

This was the real reason for a Saturday visit. I hope this is on tap in a week’s time when I head out again. It is one of the better imperial IPAs I have tried. The barrel aging really compliments the natural flavors well. Give it a try if you can make it there in the next few weeks.

Aroma / Appearance - The chestnut brown body looked just like the regular Maggie IPA. The head was the color of pale ash. Oak, vanilla, caramel and old pine enrich the senses. The bourbon is stronger than the base beer but not by much. To approximate the overall aroma take bourbony notes and combine them with chocolate brownie mix.

Flavor / Palate - The creamy mouthfeel coats the throat in warm estery goodness. There is a hint of booziness but not enough to overwhelm the dry aftertaste which is not unlike licking a spruce tree (or making a pine needle smoothie). Oak, vanilla, chocolate syrup and caramel float on the tongue as it begins to warm. The opening is all bourbon; the close all imperial IPA. It is very well balanced and worth the visit.

GTMW. The finest IIPA of the festival. Poured a golden cloudy hue. Notes of oak and pine on the nose lead into lemon zest, ginger, lemongrass, blue spruce, and cedar. There’s something to the beer in the mouthfeel and character that reminded me of a well made German Hefeweizen (minus the banana/clove flavors), albeit with considerably more hops. Hops are balanced well by the malt backbone. Mouthfeel is full and rich, with an abrasive hop finish. I came upon this one by chance, and it was one of the best surprises of the festival for me.