Imperial Oak Brewing (Willow Springs, IL)
( http://www.imperialoakbrewing.com/ )
DIPA
13.4% ABV
(Beer Advocate) " ....blend of malts and hops (equinox, Simcoe, mosaic) ... intense and strong but is surprisingly smooth and dangerously drinkable for its strength."
To celebrate National Beer Day, your intrepid Brew Review Crew headed out to beautiful, bucolic Willow Springs, Illinois (in the shadow of the overpass, across from the commuter tracks / parking lot) to sample and tour Imperial Oak Brewing. A small batch brewer specializing in double-strength, barrel-aged beers? Sign us up. (Note - they only distribute from their tap room - you need to visit to buy it)
As I c=scanned the ubiquitous Brewery Chalkboard, I spied an Imperial IPA clocking in at 13.4%. Intrigued, they poured me one...
Draft, poured into a snifter, a clear, golden brew with a modest white head. Immediate and potent citrus/hop nose. You now have my FULL attention. It sips slightly sweet, fruity, medium bodied for such a high gravity. The hop blend clearly leans to the citrus /fruit over the resin/pine side of the spectrum. Just a touch of bitterness in the finish. I have to agree with Beer Advocate on this one, it masks its High Gravity well. Enjoy it, but if you hang around for two, call Uber. A very good example of a citrus DIPA that doesn't cater to the cloudy/grapefuity New England Thing. (Not that they don't have those on tap as well..... ;-) )
If it was distributed, I''d tell you to go get it. If you're local, go try it!
My Rating: 4.75 / 5
Untappd: 3.96 / 5
Prost!
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