Middle Ages X Double India Pale Ale

Brewed by Middle Ages Brewing
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Syracuse, New York USA

Draught Imperial pint at The Blue Tusk in Syracuse, NY. Vaguely hazy, smooth amber body with a lasting small head and thick sheets of lacing all the way to the finish...fine citrusy-creamy aroma, with caramel and apples but somewhat marred by a hint of diacetyl...no such problems in the delightful flavor, lots of citrusy PNW hops, vanilla and a bit of pepper, leafy green freshness, smooth and luscious throughout, with a nice touch of maple/woody character to finish.

Hazy amber color with a moderate beige head and lots of lace. Quite sweet smelling. Honey and grapefruit seem to dominate, but a touch of bread dough in the background. Touch of pine and alcohol also show up. A touch more english in nature, but slightly unrefined as well (more a 6+, but I’ll give it a 7). Very sweet in the flavor departments as well. Pulp free grapefruit juice and vodka, seem to come to mind and make me long for a salty dog. Middle does return to some malt based pleasures with a mildly spiced citric fruit cake or citrus bar. Quite sharp in the finish, with a mild acidic bite. A different kind of IIPA. The balance seems off, too sweet to start to bitter in the finish, but a smooth journey in the middle. Thanks pineypower, a rather fun rate.

Orange gold color. Medium sized white foamy head. Aroma is malt and piney hops. A medium bodied Imperial IPA. Malts are caramel and sweet. Hops are piney. Lots of hop bitterness, but very big caramel malts shine through in this one. Nice balance. Lots of other stuff going on as well. Nice complex beer. Thanks to Dr Bill for sharing this one. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

Deep gold color under a broken rocky head. Rich malt and fragrant hops in the aroma. Resiny flavor with a good sweet background. Long bitter finish with this full bodied brew. Easily the best offering I’ve had from Middle Ages.

From a 22oz bomber. Pours a decent auburn with a nice little head. Aroma is scrictly hops, showcasing pine, grass, grapefruit, orange... a wonderful, full bouquet. Flavor is ALL hops, all the way through... tastes like hop resin straight through. So rich, deep, thick and wonderfull; I’ll be honest, 3 hours after drinking this beer, my urine smelled like hops...

Good Stuff.!

[bomber] Pours a clear orange/yellow color, with a tall white head. Aroma is excellent citrus fruits (orange, lemon, grapefruit) with a touch of pine. Taste is very complex and well-balanced. 10% ABV is VERY well hidden. I think this is an excellent IIPA- hats off to the folks at Middle Ages.

Lighly hazed peachy gold color with a slimming cap of dusty white firmly set foam on top. Great sheeting effect across the glass with the lace. Aroma is dulled but juicy in some citrusy notions of orange, peach, tangerine, and a fresh floral hop cone leafyness that adds a touch of soft pine needles. Taste is extravagantly hoppy. Quietly polite, mellow, soft and pleasurable to the palate... at first. Well rounded orangeyness with a twist of toasted/dried peels and some rough edged bitterness and a grazing of biscuity stuff and a light realm of sweet malt behind it as it rounds out towards the end. Big and beautifully charged hoppy finish with this one. Stays toasted and semi parching... Picks up quickly and stays prevalant in full-on hop mode. Grows with pithy, piney, oily, citrusy, drying bitterness. Bring it...oh yeah...quite nice. Perfectly brash and grabbing yet polite and modest in its yielding tongue torture. Actually you’ll breath out the hops after about half the bomber. Feel is bold, dense, semi oily, non-abrasive texture up until the toasty backing hits then the hoppy finish takes it from there leading an encore medley of all sorts of bittering fun. 10%? Where? Oh...there it is, late, after you’ve downed more then half of it. Incredibly drinkable and showcasing the hops without going completely overboard. Close though. Man this has quite a finish. You will breath and feel those hops after a while. A fine, fine treat by the folks at Middle Ages. Happy Anniversary and thanks to syrbeer for the chance to try it! Pretty good stuff.

22oz from pineypower. Pours a clear light orange color with a bright white foamy head. Nose is very floral and fresh, some nice hops and grass feel. Taste is a nice blend of light malt and hops. Some caramel hint. Nothing over the top, but seems like it would be a great summer picnic brew.