Parallel 49 Toques of Hazzard American Double / Imperial IPA at 9.2% ABV | 76 IBU (C$7.29 at Quarry Park Calgary Co-Op, 650 ml, packaged on 18-Oct-2017, acquired 12-Dec-2017, reviewed 12-Dec-2017)
Appearance: clear medium gold with two fat fingers of rocky ivory head, excellent retention and soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: pine, wheat, white wine, citrus, tropical fruit, mint?. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium slightly slick body, moderate carbonation, off-dry slightly boozy finish. (4/5)
I’m actually more than a little surprised that a Google image search comes up empty for Zambonis with a General Lee / Dukes of Hazzard paint job. I’d’ve expected there to be at least one bored arena owner in the hinterlands of Saskatchewan with nothing but time on his hands until spring thaw, a serious drinking problem, and Georgia-style chromosomal deficiencies, but apparently not. Anyway, casual racism aside, this is a slightly odd DIPA. It alleges to be an “Imperial White IPA”, but morphological quibbles aside (there’s no such style) there’s a deeper objection: it’s not “white”, but clear, with no lees to speak of. On the up side, the aroma is pleasingly complex, with a wide variety of characteristics becoming apparent as the pint progresses. Those aren’t, however, entirely what one might expect (mint? really?). The taste tends to follow the aroma, with a high but balanced bitterness on the tongue, and a surprisingly restrained alcohol presence. Overall, it’s not bad at all. (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
