Southern Tier Hoppe Imperial Extra Pale Ale
Did some online searching for info on this beer, and there is a weird lack of (recent) discussion re: this "Imperial Extra Pale Ale". Old bottle? Or just one not worth talking about?
Either way, I cracked this open on a quiet Wednesday evening. Still warm and somewhat humid in Norfolk, but not unbearably. Good beer drinking weather. Wait.... What I am saying? It's always good beer drinking weather...! :)
Anyway, I'm torn on this one: technically without faults (on paper, at least: Columbus and Amarillo), you'd think I'd be singing this beer's praise to both Heaven and Hell and back again in time for a hot dinner.
But something just seems askew to me here. A certain emptiness, or maybe a gap, somewhere in the mix.
Maybe it's overt paleness has thrown off my expectations for this beer? How the brewer's desire for something quite lighter than the norm for a "Imperial Pale" or "Pale India Pale Ale" or some such silliness has thrown off my taste buds? That is to say, if this were darker, would I dig it more?
No, I don't think so. There's definitely something missing in the malt bill here. Something to beef up the body, without adding to the already considerable (albeit stealthy) ABV%..., and without getting out of hand with the cheap-and-easy Crystal [Malt] Method (aka "Doing The Dreadnaught").
My first Southern Tier beer, and an odd one, at that.....
Can't see me being a frequent flier with this obtuse (and frankly, a little boring) beer.
//TB
Brewer's Description:
The simplicity of Hoppe tests the skill and ability of the brewer to create something truly majestic. We craft this much like a sculptor who uses only a hammer and chisel to shape stone into a masterpiece. Hoppe is spawned of these few essentials: barley, wheat, hops, yeast and water. This limited palette is an exercise in minimalism, with refined elements which are deliberately selected. This simple combination creates a golden shimmering brew infused with delicate aromas. The artful nature of this beer is exposed with the first taste. As the malt and hops create a composition of flavors, an elegant finish leaves an impression that your tastes will not soon forget.
10% abv. • 4ºL • Imperial Extra Pale Ale • (pronounced 'hop')
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