My latest Vue Weekly column offers a review of BrewDog’s Hardcore IPA (read it here). I wasn’t anticipating reviewing this beer at first, given the range of Imperial IPA options available these days. I respect BrewDog for their desire to push boundaries and their general punk ethos (being an old punk myself). As for their beer, some are amazing, others a bit over-the-top. So on the whole I tend to take them beer by beer.
I will state right off that Hardcore is not my favourite Double IPA. But my personal preferences are irrelevant. I decided to write about it because I feel that it finds a way to display quite clearly both ends of the Double IPA spectrum. There is a clear fruit and toffee malt body to the beer which is matched by a citrus hop parade. My ideal Imperial IPA would find a way to meld those flavours, at task at which Hardcore does not quite succeed.
You see, the beer, given all its impressive flavours, does not really achieve balance. Which is not a bad thing, especially in a Double IPA. But it is something to note. And one must acknowledge that finding a way to accent BOTH sides of the equation takes some doing.
Overall, it is an enjoyable beer. I needed to slow myself down due to the 9.2% alcohol hit and so I got to appreciate the changing character of the beer as it sat and warmed. The beer never fully melded, but I spent a very satisfying hour trying to discern the various characteristics. What was amazing to me is how both the malt and the hops just went and went and went. Neither got overwhelmed by the other – but neither did they collaborate.
An interesting beer that I am considering using for beer education sessions. Won’t use it as an exemplar of an Imperial IPA, but I will happily present it as a great example of combining flavours to create something new.
August 3, 2012 at 9:48 AM
As a fan of this genre and always looking for something new to try…what would you say is your favorite beer in this category?
August 3, 2012 at 4:12 PM
Dave, sorry to disappoint, but I make a rule of not offering my “favourite” of anything. It is too subjective. My favourite may be “meh!” for you. I suggest exploring a range of the style. On the more balanced end of the scale are Alley Kat’s Single Hop beer and Paddock Wood’s Loki (and, to be clear, I have said very nice things about both). On the sharper, more intense end might be some of the American stuff we get – like Green Flash (some of which is now reaching Alberta, although I don’t think the Imperial IPA), Stone, Pliny the Elder (which I have written about here -hint, hint), and others.
Like any style IIPAs are all about interpretation. There is a wide range of what is enjoyable in this style. So keep trying different beer and appreciate all (most? some?) for their interpretation.
Imperial IPA is a style the big boys have not yet adulterated, meaning trying one at least means you are dealing with a brewer who takes beer seriously.
Cheers.
Jason
August 3, 2012 at 3:56 PM
Brewdog is an ancient Scottish word meaning ‘hyped swill in silly packaging’.
August 3, 2012 at 5:14 PM
Ancient Scottish word? I understand it was new word added to the dictionary in 2007.
August 4, 2012 at 7:37 PM
I guess the synonyms for Brewdog would be “Mikkeller” and “Dogfish Head.”
August 6, 2012 at 4:48 PM
Out of those 3, only one makes beer consistently well, the other 2 are good at marketing and quantity, respectively.
August 8, 2012 at 3:47 PM
I enjoyed the Brewdog Tokyo, but the one really decent beer that they offer is the Punk IPA. It has a wonderful aroma and decent flavor. But other than that I haven’t had too many of their beers that I truly enjoyed.