On tap at Poor Henry’s, aggressive 2016 limited edition Imperial IPA proves original as brisk citra-hopped avocado flower honey heightens floral-sweetened fruit juicing over chewy whiskey-daubed caramel malting. Capacious pink grapefruit, Valencia orange, red cherry, mango, pineapple, papaya, guava and apple bouquet really sings out! Minor earthen pine resin adds light astringency to the underside of ambitious avocado-honeyed 20th anniversary hybrid.
On tap at Amazing Grapes, soft-toned saison-influenced citrus souring and farmhouse-dried barnyard leathering affect lemony IPA-like yellow grapefruit and orange rind bittering above polite honeyed malt sweetness. Tropical Nelson Sauvin hop influence reaches fruition at the brisk mineral-watered citric finish.
Not half as ‘burly’ as advertised nor as welcoming as Colorado version, perfectly centrist medium-bodied India Pale Ale (bottled in newer Asheville facility) provides bright lemony orange-peeled grapefruit, pineapple, peach and mango tang to floral-daubed grassy hop bittering and resinous pine spike in polite manner. Brisk clean-watered crisping invigorates tropical fruiting. Watch for rubbery sulfuric off-taste and aspirin-like alkalinity when warmed.
World renown Vermont-based moderation (in canned version) compares favorably to equally revered Russian River’s Pliney The Elder in all its fruitful splendor and is officially the first ever New England-styled India Pale Ale. Despite ‘Heady’ 8% ABV and massive 120 IBU hop measure, soft-tongued India Pale Ale retains a creamy eggshell head and lusciously well-balanced charisma. Lemony grapefruit, orange and tangerine juicing sweetened by honeyed peach, nectarine, mango, pineapple and guava tang as well as sugar-spiced caramel malting and floral-perfumed lavender, dandelion, elderflower and daisy bouquet. Dank hemp-oiled piney hop resin fortifies the back end. In 2021 canned version, soft-toned lemon zesting gained sweet orange peel tang contrasting reedy juniper hop bittering over lightly creamed candy-spiced crystal malting. Proprietary cultured yeast boasts plenty of character without getting overstated. Believe the hype!
More than “just another Double India Pale Ale.” Sunshiny yellow grapefruit zest distinctively affects moderate dry-hopped bittering and mildly sugar-spiced pale malting of easygoing, murkily clouded, chartreuse-coppered summertime suds. Sour lemon seed follow-up and resinous pine notion gain momentum as crisply clean water base provides brisk flow.
On tap at Ambulance, soft-toned medium body from Mystic’s “Hop Experiment Series” (with well-hidden 8.6% ABV) drapes sugar-spiced caramel malting with dank hemp-hopped oiling, leaving lemony grapefruit, peach and orange tones to illuminate the bittersweet symphony.
On tap at Ambulance, exclusive Barrier offering (2nd anniversary 2.0 version) brings dry citrus-spiced hop pleasantry to caramelized barley-rye malting. Mild hop astringency benefits lemony orange tartness and bright grapefruit juicing contrasting spun-sugar cotton candy sweetness. Sessionable sunshiny day fare fine as introductory IPA crossover for lighter thirsts.
On tap at Poor Henry’s, expressive Citra-Galaxy hop mix allows lemony grapefruit, orange and tangerine tang to embrace sugary pale wheat malting for surprisingly mild Imperial IPA. Brisk citric spritz picks up light phenol acridity.
On tap at Poor Henry’s, ‘nimble giant’ is just that! Guileless lemon-peeled yellow grapefruit tang brings zesty fruit juicing to moderately bitter piney hop resin and sweet crystal malting of spry medium body. Floral wisp serenades ancillary mango, pineapple, passionfruit, papaya, peach and tangerine tropicalia.
On tap at The Oath, tropical Citra-Mosaic hop combo provides zesty citrus entry. Lemony yellow grapefruit and Valencia orange juicing picks up mild dry-hopped bittering over spunky oats-spelt graining for sessionable moderation.
Sharply intense Nugget hop acidity fortifies herbal citrus astringency that’s softened by biscuity rye-pilsner malting. Lemony orange and grapefruit tangent never gains prominence over distant earthen graining.
On tap at Ambulance, approachable (despite mighty 10% ABV) Imperial IPA with zesty orange peel perfuming and easygoing mango-passionfruit-tangerine tang gains astringent pine musk as wispy grain alcohol burn soothes polite citric finish. Mandarina Bavaria hop profile brings latent blood orange, mandarin orange and clementine influence to the surface.