First off, I have to apologize for not keeping up on my posts. Things are a little crazy this time of year while I am preparing to tour Canada next week with one of my 3 (4?) bands, while the other bands are still very active in rehearsing, recording, and playing shows. I'll admit i was drawn in by the label, or scuffs on the label. This afternoon I thought it would be appropriate to finally get to try the Imperial Hatter India Pale Ale from New Holland Brewing Company. The bottle was in a fridge full of brightly labeled beer (a lot of generic American macro-brews) and a bomber with an off green print on it stood tall amongst the rest (most likely misplaced in the wrong fridge). Some scuffs were off the label giving it a bit more character, and then reading Imperial and India Pale Ale on the label just had me sold on this bottle.
This is apart of the High Gravity Series that New Holland released. It's 20 P, and 9.4%ABV… the perfect patio summer beer. The description reads:
"A robust renovation of the India Pale Ale. Assertive dry-hopping provides an aromatic telltale nose, indicative of the bitter symphony to follow. Bold hop character with lively grapefruit and citrus notes."
Well, what am I waiting for? Doesn't that sound inviting to you?
It pours a beautiful dark orange, clear, with a slight copper note to it, while a nice fluffy white head sits on op. The nose brings out a lot of… pine!? and then some clementines and pink grapefruit follows with the heavy caramel from the malt. There is a touch of biscuit and even a hit of tartness from the alcohol. I will admit I was struck by how pine forward this was on the nose. Pretty different from a lot of the American I-IPA's.
The flavour again is huge on pine and big malt sweetness. There is a little grapefruit bitter on the end, but the lingering flavour is pine, a touch of alcohol that translates into a slight tart cherry behind the malt and yeast character. This is still pretty bitter. To add to the bitterness is how dry this sucker is. This snaps off the tongue and leaves a nice pine aftertaste (I haven't been chasing this with gin, just to let you know). The medium to fairly high carbonation, light (for style) body, and dryness make this unbelievably drinkable. If you like a wallop of hops, this beer is for you. Don't forget that there are a load of balancing malts that give it an initial sweetness, that will quickly turn around and bite you bitter.
I am shocked in a great manner that this is pine forward and not citrus. I love citrus hops, but getting that evergreen bitter lingering on the tongue is quite nice. I know what the discretion says, but my palate and/or this bottle say otherwise. Not a complaint, just an observation.
What draws you to to pick up a mystery bottle?
