Victory Brewing Company Hop Ranch Imperial IPA American Double / Imperial IPA at 9% ABV (US$3.46 at Specs Main Branch, 355 ml, best before 7-May-2016, reviewed 25-Jan-2016)
Appearance: clear pale gold with one finger of eggshell head, minimal retention, moderate clingy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, floral, citrus, pale malt, pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry mildly warming finish. (3/5)
The hops don’t seem to be as pungent as I would’ve expected – certainly there’s not a lot of the pungent sharp citrus the label promises. That might also be a function of the high-ish ABV, which otherwise really only manifests as a gentle warming. It’s more or less hop-forward, though, and at least it’s not one of those heavily caramel malt DIPAs. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
