Otter Creek Imperial India Pale Ale

Brewed by Otter Creek Brewing
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Middlebury, Vermont USA

Bouteille de 22 oz partagée lors d’une dégustation Ratebeer Montréal chez Glouglouburp. Arôme: Odeur d’houblons résineux avec une pointe de caramel. Apparence: La couleur est blonde. Présence d’une fine dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût de pin et de pamplemousse avec une pointe de caramel. Durée moyenne de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est moyen avec une texture légèrement huileuse. Moyenne effervescence en bouche. Légère amertume d’houblons en arrière goût. (Rating #2504)

Bottle. Pours turbid deep gold toward copper with 2-finger clingy off-white head. Nose is hops, caramel malt, tropical citrus fruit, peppery. The mouthfeel is excellent, very complex, very well balanced, with a huge malt bill coupled with tangerine, black pepper, and pineapple. Retains a sweetness even through the repour, but is massively hopped, so the two elements always balance each other magnificaently. Extremely well hidden alcohol. This is a world class IIPA, and the best beer Otter Creek has even brewed, bar none.

Bottle, recommended by a store employee. Clear amber appearance with huge head. Aroma was disappointing, not the smack in the face I expected. Taste was fair at best...kind of bland. Nowhere near the 135 IBU’s as advertised. Perhaps I got a bad bottle?

22 oz. bottle served in shaker- poured transparent darkened copper with a brown tint, solid one finger head laced very nicely and played some cards with me. Hearty aroma of pine, resin, grapefruit, caramel malt (?), and that magical beergoodness that can make a thristy man cry. Hits the mouth with wide medium body, the malt comes in at an angle and hits you a little strong at first- but mellows, hops kick down the door from the start, poop on your floor, and take your beer- but don’t leave. Finish is very lasting, and sharp- acidity seems to last for more than your standard IIPA, and refuses to go away even after a few sips of water. Can’t notice the alcohol at all- and I’m an old boozehead. Not sure how they made this one, but I know one word for it- GOOD!

Bottle… Crystal clear amber ale with a large, creamy, off-white head. Fantastic retention. The aroma is a swirl of toffee, earthy hops, resin, pine and touches of apricot, peach and grapefruit. Full-bodied and creamy with brisk carbonation. The sweet caramel and toffee backbone actually holds its ground despite scorching hop bitterness. Lengthy, grassy, almost-violently-bitter finish. Bottle courtesy of ygtbsm94!

22 oz bomber. Pours a clear copper with a thick and creamy beige head. Very hoppy aroma with hints of grapefruit, floral tones, mango, and bitterness. Taste of mango, grapefruit, pine, floral tones, bitter hops and caramel. Excellent IIPA.

Bottle. Pours a clear orange brown amber with a large creamy white head. Huge pineapple and spicy grapefruit aromas and a nice malty background, and a touch of caramel. Just like their RIS, I’m already impressed with this one. Sweet and spicy, really nice pineapple, medium bodied, lots of citrus notes. Finishes with a huge grapefruit bitterness.

This is a fine beer with good strong bitterness and an almost coffee acidity in the finish. Nice amber appearance with good lacing and mild foamy head. Overall, I liked this beer but unfortunately I feel that it is just more of the same when it comes to this style.