Chopbiscuit preeminent booze review: Unearthly Imperial IPA

a perfectly colored ale

Since we just wrapped the day of drinking sponsored by the Ye Olde folk from Ireland, we figured it's time to get back to our roots here at Chopbiscuit and continue the reviews of The World's Best draughts. We have poked fun at our favorite canned beers in the past, but utlimately we love the best in beer making. Whether it's a Belgium White, American Brown Ale, Japanese Rice lager or an oatmeal stout - We enjoy a good beer.

So, let's continue the exposition with our second review.

Brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Company Lakewood, NY

Beer style description: Imperial India Pale Ale

Via:(Beer Advocate)

Take an India Pale Ale and feed it steroids, ergo the term Double IPA. Although open to the same interpretation as its sister styles, you should expect something robust, malty, alcoholic and with a hop profile that might rip your tongue out. The Imperial usage comes from Russian Imperial stout, a style of strong stout originally brewed in England for the Russian Imperial Court of the late 1700s; though Double IPA is often the preferred name.

You can thank west coast American brewers for this somewhat reactionary style. "Thanks!"

Reviewer: Poncho Sinatra

What They Say:

At the Southern Tier Brewing Company, vigorously hopped beer is our standard and inspiration. We continue a commitment to innovation with our most aggressive offering yet. Unearthly is a manifestation of the brewer’s craft; skillfully balancing art and the forces of nature to produce a divine liquid. Delicately pour a taste into a fluted glass. Smell the enchanting aromas of the hops waft forward as your first sip divulges this beer’s fervent soul. To underestimate Unearthly is to trifle with the mysteries of the universe, so please consume wisely.

10.0% abv

What I say:

Pours a very clear caramelly orange.. almost the color of fresh motor oil (not the used stuff). Beautiful carbonation bubbles rise through the glass. Small off-whitish head.

I enjoyed this in Las Vegas while wrapping up a full day of meetings. The Smell is of grapefruit & lemon rind with some caramel notes. Taste is of heavy caramel malt, pine and a strange mandarin orange tongue feel. Very little alcohol noticeable for an 11% abv beer. Some piney hops stick around in the aftertaste.

Mouth feel is really thick and slick. Very nice with a full body. Drinkability is as high as can be expected for this big a beer. Easy to sip, not to play four rounds of Beer Pong with. I really loved this beer, in an non-appropriate way.

Chopbiscuit Rating:

B