Avery Brewing Co. Maharaja American Double / Imperial IPA at 10% ABV | 102 IBU (US$3.77 at Specs Main Houston, 355 ml, bottle date 18-Jan-2017, acquired 8-Mar-2017, reviewed 21-Mar-2017)
Appearance: hazy pale amber with one finger of loose ivory head diminishing gradually to a thin skim, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: citrus, caramel, pine, stone fruit, earth. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-full slightly oily body, moderate carbonation, lingering and building bitter and warming finish. (4/5)
Yeah, to some extent that was pretty much the malty big bastard I was expecting. Nothing wrong with it, as such, but very much an old-fashioned DIPA, tending slightly heavy, oily, and ponderous. Might not actually be malt-forward, but it’s certainly malt-heavy. Initially, the hops are so besieged by the malt that despite the massive 102 IBU I would’ve guessed it was fairly old, had the bottle not been dated. But, as the glass progressed, it really grew on me, and a juicy citrus began to become apparent. The high ABV is also fairly well integrated – there’s no getting away from it, of course, but it’s not overwhelming or unpleasantly hot. Having finished the first one, I wouldn’t mind having another, which I guess is the acid test when you come right down to it. (15/20)
My 236th from the 2010 Edition of 1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die, 225th from the 2013 edition, and 248th combining both editions.
7.5/10 #1001beers #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
