McNeills Warlord Imperial IPA

Brewed by McNeills Brewery
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Brattleboro, Vermont USA

22oz bottle, hazy amber-orangeyish hue, with a small thick beige head, sweet candyish, toasty, caramelized malt, fruity nose of candied peaches, apricots, orange peels, with a faint floral hop citrus, leafy accent, with a hint of clover leaf heartiness in the aroma follows through on a medium-bodied palate with a sweet candied fruity, peachy, orange peel, toasted, caramelized malt, flowery hop piney character, with some resinous, cedary, lemon zest notes, with a leafy mintiness accent, leading towards a warming, citrusy, hop piney, leafy, dryness finish. I was expecting more from this beer.

A hazy orange amber ale with a thick off white head. In aroma, a pleasant c-hops with light herbal malt. In mouth, a nice resinous c-hops, mentol coolness, lingering over rich malts. Nice and smooth I2PA. On tap at brewpub August 2 2009.

Bottle courtesy of Dave on 07/12/2009. Somewhat hazy caramel body with a small frothy off-white head. Fruity caramel and floral hop aroma. Sweet floral hop and earthy malt flavor. Medium full body with moderately high carbonation.

From the 1 pint 6 fl. oz. bottle with no expiration date or lot code. It pours a slightly cloudy copper amber with about a half fingertip of beige head. The aroma is not a typical IPA. The hops are rather subtle and enchanting. The mouthfeel is a smooth in quality and about medium texture. The taste is more like the typical IPA with bitter hops balanced with malts. I really liked how this one was put together.

Reddish amber pour with nice one finger white head. Aroma is floral with some citrus bitterness. Flavor is largely sharp with malt character being on the heavy side. Hop character is medium with some citrus and straw notes. Palate is medium to thin with a semi-dry finish. Ok but not overwhelming.

This should receive points for the ease at which if flows. An 8.5er that drinks like a soothing ale. What makes this IIPA special, however, is the lingering bitterness. This is not an up-front hop drink. It’s mellow and understated, like much at McNeill’s. Those of you scared off by oxidation comments, well, don’t be. New bottling line here and the label will look different from the one on this site. McNeill’s is frustratingly inconsistent, not between its beers but within its beers. Here’s to some consistency and more beer like this one.

PP’s hazed orange pour with an almost brown creamy head and lace. Light earthy hops with light malt. Medium bitter with caramel malt kicked by oxidation. A bit thin and watery.

22oz bottle. Pours a dull orange color with a 2 finger off white foamy head. nose is hoppy with some biscuity notes. Hopps are light pine, a hint of caramel. Palate is full and smooth with a light bitter finish. Flavors of piney hopps, caramel, biscuity and bready.