So, there are IPAs, and there are Douple IPAs. These are for people who are hops junkies, and have built up some kind of tolerance for them. Double (or Imperial) IPAs are challenging, bold, powerful beers normally above 7.0% ABV. They are sweet, aromatic, and built tough. Since today is a veritable “day off” for me, I am unpacking 650ml of pure Double IPA power: the “hefty,” “revered” Great Divide Hercules Double IPA. Out of the great American city of Denver, CO, Great Divide’s big brew is a solid 10.0% ABV.
It’s still cold outside, and I’m hoping this bad boy will warm me up inside. The pour reveals a cloudy copper color – not surprising for an IPA (or DIPA). Not much of a head … about a finger or so of tight, foamy white bubbles, which diminish over a few minutes and leave significant lacing. All ya gotta do is swirl it a bit for the foam to re-appear. The smell is deep and wonderful: of course citrusy, and in this case caramely as well.
Wow, is this a powerful beer. Maybe that’s why they named it after Hercules. The hops absolutely pound your senses when you sip. Already, I know that I will be drinking this over the next few hours, taking my sweet time. I sense grapefruit and apricot in the flavor, and not much in the way of florals (I don’t really taste pine). One thing I already like about this beer is that it less carbonated than normal IPAs. That makes it less filling in my opinion. Still, as I sit here typing and watching the telly, my mouth is pulsating with flavors. Not too much at the back of the throat, and warm all around. It’s excellent.
In view of my only recent enjoyment of IPAs, I thought this beer would be too much for me. But I was wrong, it’s better than a lot of the IPAs I’ve tried: bold flavors, non-oppressive yet pleasing finish, and lots to look forward to as time goes on. I couldn’t find what hops and malts are used here, I would really like to know. Regardless, I will come back to this beer again.
ABV: 10.0%
Grade: A