Moylans Hopsickle Imperial India Pale Ale

Brewed by Moylans Brewery & Restaurant
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Novato, California USA

Appearance: very good head retention in a white to off-white color; slight reddish copper; definitely filtered as it is quite clear; pretty textbook Aroma: fairly complex; floral, fruity, earthy, touch of spice; lacks intensity Flavor: good malt backbone but not as extreme as 90 minute; very good balance; bitterness is strong, bordering on harsh Palate: overall, good, but slight harsh astringency lingering into the finish

On tap at Capone’s. As soon as I put my glass up to my nose the Garrett Oliver quote "Anyone can toss hops in a pot, but can you make it beautiful?" came to mind. This stuff is pure hop juice and it certainly isn’t beautiful. I love big IPAs as much as the next guy but this is just ridiculous. I have eaten hops before and they aren’t a pleasurable experience on their own, this beer tastes almost exactly like that.

Sample: This was a little disappointing to me. The hops were a little unpleasant in this and too bitter. I enjoy a bitter "kick" from an IPA, but this was more like a sledgehammer on your tongue. Still, it was interesting.

smells of wood and a touch of Indian curry. taste has a enormous hop flavor that is powering all the way through and its very distracting. the malts are medium with a highly fizzy field.

The aroma is very hoppy with pine, grass, and citrus as well as caramel malt. The appearance is copper with a very large head. The flavor is like caramel with lots of bitter elements like those in the aroma. The palate is typical for the style. Overall it’s too astringent.

650 ml bottle from Freddy. Pours a translucent copper color with a big white head that has good retention and crazy lacing. The aroma is strong with hoppy pine and something salty. The flavor is hops forward with a big pine blast, rounding out the sides is caramel and biter walnuts. The mouthfeel is full and smooth. The finish is long and biter-sweet. Overall: The biter of this beer was a bit harsh at times, and the alcohol showed through in the taste on occasion, but still strengths outweighs fault and this is one very good IPA.

"ok, this one is right up there with Ruination. Different, thicker mouthfeel...tastes fresher, like a hop altoid. if that sounds good to you, try this one. too bad it’s only in 22’s. the only drawback is the escalating price...Stone’s imperial is just is good for way less."

22 oz. bottle, shared with Gabe. Pours a medium off white head of good duration....nose is of mild to medium hop with some pine, some resin.....tastes of mild malts then in comes the hop with heavy citrus tones, and long lingering bitterness....mouth feel is rich and chewy....this is somewhat unbalanced. I’d decrease the Simcoe, and maybe kick up crystal malts.