HopTown DUIPA Imperial IPA

Formerly brewed at HopTown Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Pleasanton, California USA

Bottled straight from the brewery. Best beer I’ve ever had in my life. Very hoppy, with a great pine floral taste. You’d think the hops would be dominant, and they are but a carmel flavor also stands out. Outstanding!

On nitro at The Liar’s Club. I must admit I am a little hesitant to try this on nitro, I usually don’t dig the nitro versions of beers. Aroma is top notch with the big pine and citrus qualities in abundance. Unfortunately they are all masked in the taste by thick caramel malts that just seem to dumb this one down. I would like to try this one off the nitro.

Nice aromatic hoppiness with pine and a grapefruit-citrusy nose. This was served on tap, on nitro...why I don’t know! The nitro seemed to round over all the edginess I look for in an over-the-top Imperial IPA. Flavors were all there...citrus, bitter hop bite, pine, all anchored pretty well by a big caramel malt base...but just too damn muted and artificially creamy. And while your at it...stop cask conditioning IIPAs, too. They should be served cold right out of the conditioning tank.

Tap at Barclays. Pours a clear amber color with a medium head that has a nice lacing. Aromas of malts, bread and hops that translate to the flavor as well. There is a metallic aftertaste and a lingering alcohol finish. That leads me to remark that the beer is not as well balanced as it could be. The Bourbon barrel version of this beer is recommended over this edition if you can get it.

Had on tap dispensed with nitrogen. First pale ale I’ve had on nitrogen. Very creamy body with malt and spicy caramel flavors. Hop botterness and flavor are well represented though not too strong. A more balanced mild IPA though most other american versions.

Draught at O’Briens - San Diego: Pours a murky caramel color, soft crack maybe? Retentive off white foam and a little lacing that inches up the glass. The nose is fresh and hoppy with lots of grapefruit and citrus peel notes. The flavor has a nice malty backdrop speckled with caramel. The finish is nutty and balanced. Not too bitter, a bit strong with the alcohol though but overall its rich body doesn’t contribute any umami and it just doesn’t get high marks.

On tap at Toronado BW-fest 2/19/06. I don’t know what this was doing on the list there, but it was good. Poured a nice amber color with a small off-white head. Excellent hoppy aroma with notes of citrus and pine. Flavor is very hoppy but balanced with some malt and caramel sweetness. A very well crafted DIPA.

On tap at Toronado. This light amber ale poured with a short off-white head, eliciting a malty aroma. There was an initial sweet taste, followed by a rather bitter finish with a hint of herbs.