Imperial IPA

RETIRED: Founder’s Devil Dancer

Founders Devil Dancer, the brewery’s “triple” India pale ale, has been cut from the 2017 lineup, along with Pale Ale.

The IPA world is constantly changing, and beer fan’s tastes along with it. Devil Dancer was one of the hoppiest in the Continue Reading →

Port Brewing Mongo debuts in cans

Port Brewing Mongo, the brewery’s flagship imperial IPA, is now available in 16 ounce cans.

At this point there is very little need to reiterate how popular the trend is for breweries to transition into cans. Port had earmarked both Mongo Continue Reading →

Retro & Dank: New Holland Hoptronix

New Holland Hoptronix is hitting shelves nationwide. Let’s get retro, shall we?

Michigan based New Holland Brewing has a small obsession with hops, as evidenced by the Mad Hatter Series. Those down-the-rabbit-hole line of IPAs are unique and fantastic, but this Continue Reading →

Posted in Founders Brewing

RETIRED: Founder’s Devil Dancer

Founders Devil Dancer, the brewery’s “triple” India pale ale, has been cut from the 2017 lineup, along with Pale Ale.

The IPA world is constantly changing, and beer fan’s tastes along with it. Devil Dancer was one of the hoppiest in the brewery’s lineup – hopped for 26 straight days, with 10 different hop varieties.

“When you dance with the Devil the Devil don’t change. You do. Massive in complexity, the huge malt character balances the insane amount of alphas used to create it. At an incredible 112 IBU’s it’s dry-hopped with a combination of ten hop varieties. This one can age with the best of them. “

2017 is bringing change. The brewery is realigning barrel-aged beers like KBS and forthcoming Frootwood under the Barrel-Aged Series moniker, as well as placing extra focus on All Day IPA, and their canned offerings.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Birdsong Brewing Co., New Releases

Birdsong Honey Pie Double IPA cans debut this week

Birdsong Honey Pie Double IPA will be available in cans this month.

“Heaven in a glass” is what the Charlotte, North Carolina brewery call this imperial India pale ale. The magic maker in this beer is the amount of locally harvested Cloister Honey.

In this limited release brew, a solid malt foundation is complimented by a generous amount of locally harvested honey and you guessed it… Hops! Our unique blend of hops will deliver aromas of honeydew and grapefruit, and will have you pouring the second beer before you finish the first.

Birdsong Honey Pie Double IPA will be available in 12 ounce cans and draft starting January 12th, 2017.

Style: Imperial IPA (w/ Honey)
Hops: Cascade, Fuggle, Columbus, Chinook
Malts: 2 Row, Caramel 40

Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft.
Debut: 1/12/17

8.9% ABV, 80 IBUs

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Ballast Point Brewing, New Releases

Ballast Point Manta Ray “big ABV without bite”

Ballast Point Manta Ray is now available in bottles for the first time.

Draft only editions of Manta Ray have been available in the past, as both a sweet stout, and sweet stout with coffee, part of the brewery’s R&D Series. You might recognize previous names like The Landlord” or “Roots to Boots Double IPA“.

As of the first week of January 2017, the brewery’s tasting rooms started pouring Manta Ray.

Aromas of fresh, citrusy tangerine, melon and light pine leap from the beer and linger over a smooth finish. Like its namesake, this brew can sneak up on you – a big ABV without a bite.

Ballast Point Manta Ray is a 12 ounce bottle and draft release.

Style: Imperial IPA
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: January, 2017

8.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Southern Tier Brewing, Don't Miss This, New Releases

Southern Tier 2X Oak’d IPA kicks off the new year

Southern Tier 2X Oak’d IPA is now hitting shelves, giving you an oaky way to start the new year.

A few years ago, the Lakewood, New York based brewery had an oaky rendition of their year-round Unearthly IPA, known as Oak Aged Unearthly. By our best estimates, that beer was retired over two years ago. Next year, the oak is coming back, with a syrupy friend.

Southern Tier 2X Oak’d IPA is is now apart of the brewery’s lineup as the new year gets underway. It too is an imperial India pale ale aged on French oak chips, featuring Centennial, Chinook, and Cascade hops, four malts, plus a new ingredient – New York maple syrup. The resulting beer full of citrus and pine up front, with a touch of maple sweetness in the finish.

…Roasted malts bring a deep amber hue that’s matched by drums of maple syrup, which are added to help boost fermentation & provide a clean, earthy component with a slight residual sweetness.

Expect Southern Tier 2X Oak’d IPA in 12 ounce bottles and draft starting in January, 2017.

Style: Imperial IPA (w/ Maple Syrup. Oak Aged.)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. Winter-Spring Seasonal.
Debut: January, 2017

8.2% ABV, 65 IBUs

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Belgium, Headlines, New Releases

New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA, an all new beer

New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA is headed to shelves the month.

If you are unfamiliar with New Belgium, the have a special name for their beer reps out in the field – Beer Rangers. You might recognize the monicker from New Belgium’s Ranger IPA.

Headed your way this month is New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA, a new double IPA. The beer boasts Mosaic, Calypso, Bravo, and Delta hops, creating what the brewery calls an “explosion of fresh cut pine and citrus.”

Let’s clear up any confusion going on out there. This beer is indeed new. New Belgium’s Bryan Simpson tells Beer Street Journal that this beer is indeed new. When the brewery released Rampant IPA a few years ago, the imperial IPA was brewed and designed for what the market wanted. Years later, IPA still dominates, but the consumers taste has changed.

Enter the new Voodoo Ranger Series.

New Belgium is evolving, just like the beer industry. Rampant and Ranger were and still are great, but drinkers tastes change. (Constantly.) The 100% employee-owned company doesn’t need a boardroom to discuss making a change. They just do it. This beer is the next evolution.

Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA is available in 12 ounce bottles and draft.

Style: Imperial IPA
Hops: Mosaic, Delta, Bravo, Calypso

Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: December, 2016

9% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Port Brewing Company, Don't Miss This

Port Brewing Mongo debuts in cans

Port Brewing Mongo, the brewery’s flagship imperial IPA, is now available in 16 ounce cans.

At this point there is very little need to reiterate how popular the trend is for breweries to transition into cans. Port had earmarked both Mongo and High Tide to be canned releases in 2016.

Port Brewing Mongo features Columbus, Centennial, Cascade and Simcoe hops. Those that crave a resiny burst of hops will love having Mongo by their side.

Mongo begins with a massive resinous aroma created by the judicious use of Columbus, Amarillo and Cascade hops. The initial taste reveals notes of Orange, Mango and citrus fruits with a piney bitterness and hoppy spice with some mild malt flavors on the finish.

Port Brewing Mongo is available in 16 ounce cans in California first. National distribution will continue in 2017.

Style: Imperial IPA
Hops: Columbus, Centennial, Cascade and Simcoe
Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft. Year-round.

Debut (Cans): December, 2016

8.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Holland Brewing, Headlines, New Releases

Retro & Dank: New Holland Hoptronix

New Holland Hoptronix is hitting shelves nationwide. Let’s get retro, shall we?

Michigan based New Holland Brewing has a small obsession with hops, as evidenced by the Mad Hatter Series. Those down-the-rabbit-hole line of IPAs are unique and fantastic, but this new imperial IPA just didn’t fit the lineup. This one pushes the boundaries a bit. Just like Atari did when the game system debuted.

Test batches of New Holland Hoptronix were very well received, prompting the brewery to make it year-round in 2017. The imperial iPA is brewed with Mosaic hops that make this beer citrus forward.

“We brought our hop game to the next level using huge amounts of Mosaic hops to tickle the tongue with bitter flavors and then delight the drinker with a clean, balanced finish. This beer will surprise you and leave you wanting more.” – Joel Petersen, New Holland VP of  Marketing

You’ll find New Holland Hoptronix trickling into stores and bars across the brewery’s footprint this month.

Style: Imperial IPA
Hops: Mosaic

Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: November, 2016

9% ABV

by Reid Ramsay