When I see an Imperial IPA on the shelves of a package store, its as if the store owner has already put it in my shopping cart. The purchase is a done deal, I just can't resist and Harpoon's Imperial IPA - with its Halloween-esque label - was no different.
This imperial IPA has a medium hop aroma, with pine needles and earthy notes. It does not have the floral or citrus-y notes one expects from an American IPA. Harpoon's website claims it has 122 IBU's and massive aroma, but this beer is all about the alcohol. Maybe I've had too much Green Monsta and Torpedo Extra Pale Ale this year - but this isn't even close to the hoppiest beer I've had of late. Its a high alcohol offering at 10% ABV and the alcohol is the flavor that dominates, the hops are overwhelmed. It has a deep orange color and pours with a creamy foam head that lasts, due to the high malt content in this XX% alcohol beer.
Its strong right from the start - the big malt body borders on cloying and is very sweet, wit lots of estery, complex sugars - I get an apricot, candied sweetness, with brown sugar, caramel notes.
The hops are prominent, but compete with the big malt and alcohol flavors for attention. They give the beer a little texture but could offer better balance, particularly with more bittering hops. It finishes sweet and a little cloying, without the dryness of a typical IPA.
This is a special occasion beer, along the lines of Dogfish Head's Raison D'etre, for times when you want something strong - bold in alcohol and flavor.
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