Karl Strauss Brewing Co. has started an "Imperial Collection", which at this point consists of Off The Rails, their Imperial Red Ale, and now Tower 20 IIPA, a kicked up version of their mainstay Tower 10 IPA. At 9.5% alcohol, it packs the kick you would expect from this style. I liked this beer, but to me it read more as an aggressive West Coast IPA than a IIPA. Initially, it had the crispness that I always associate with an IPA, but as it warmed a bit the smoothness of a IIPA came to the fore. The hops were dominant, as one would expect, weighing in a bit more heavily on the grapefruit end of the spectrum. It was initially a bit acidic, which I either got used to or it lessened as the brew warmed. Giving it 3.5 out of 5 stars this won't go on my list of go-to beers when I'm having a IIPA craving, but I certainly wouldn't shy away from it as an option, and I would definitely recommend giving it a try.
No comments:
Post a Comment