Widmer Brothers Admiral Nelson Imperial IPA

Photo Credit: J.C. Edwards

The Brewers:
Brewmaster: Joe Casey
Company: Widmer Brothers Brewing Company
Location: 929 North Russell Street Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.widmerbrothers.com/

The Beer:
Style: Imperial IPA 
ABV: 8.6%
IBU: 70
Brewed with: 2-row, Carapils and Lovibond 10 Crystal malts, and Alchemy, Nelson Sauvin, Cascade and Willamette Hops
Served:  On tap at Greenwood's Grill in Bethel, CT (a pilgrimage to this place is absolutely mandatory: http://www.greenwoodsgrill.com/)

The Drink:
Drank out of a 12 oz. Pokel

Pours pale amber/yellow with a thick head that dissipates quickly.  Beer laces well.  

Aromas of citrus and tropical fruit (pineapple, papaya etc.).  Almost no detectable malt on the nose.

Beer starts with strong carbonation and an upfront fruity, sweet flavor.  Little in the way of hop bitterness at first, but the middle to finish yields a center-palate dryness and a continuation of the powerful fruit aromas.  Finish is long, dry and some hop bitterness comes through, but not nearly what I was expecting for an Imperial IPA.  The malt was present but barely noticeable compared to the hops, and contributed some sweetness and a decent amount of body.  

Overall:
This is one of those beers that leaves the realm of Beer and crosses over into the realm of Soda.  The hop aromas are so powerful, fruity, and sweet you almost forget you're drinking an 8.6% beer.  Just like most IPAs, the focus of this beer is hops, though with a strong leaning towards hop-aroma over hop-bitter.  The body is also light, though noticeable, and compliments the fruity, almost punch-like, nature of this beer.   Though not necessarily what I reach for when I want an IPA, the hops in this beer are very intriguing, and I doubt anyone would have a problem drinking one or two of these during one of those dog days of August.