TheBeerObserver

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.

My ongoing IPA quest continues. This week its Magic Hat Lucky Kat IPA. I must admit to mixed experiences with Magic Hat's brews - they are hit or miss for me, although #9 is a good outdoor summer beer.

With some surprise, Lucky Kat may rank as my favorite of the Magic Hat elixirs. Its a little darker than most IPA's, some Munich and Crystal malt is in there to give it a deeper copper color than you see with most IPAs. The result is a thick, fluffy head when poured with nice lacing on the glass and very little haze.

When you get a good batch (and therein lies the rub) this is one of my favorite beers.  I remember when Todd Mott, the brewer who designed the first version Harpoon IPA, started bottling this beer.  At its best Harpoon IPA has a good hop nose, pours well (good bottle conditioning) and is carbonated properly.  The malt provides the proper balance to the hops and the finish is bitter by not overly so--it makes you want to open another bottle/order another pint!  However, over the years my wife and I have noticed consistency problems with the IPA--stretc