King Of The Yahd

Brewing an Imperial IPA is almost a requirement for breweries these days, but it's still nice to see one get it right and not create an IBU/ABV bomb! This one has a lot going for it -- it's complex without being over-the-top, and provides a solid IPA experience.

The beer pours a clear, deep gold with a low white head. The aroma has a number of recognizable fruits -- pineapple, orange, and a nice pear ester -- along with a biscuity malt background.

Holy hop flavor! This beer is rich with juicy hop flavors: peach, citrus, and tropical fruit combine to give an impression of down-home American pie flavors and Caribbean island cocktail mixers, with medium-high bittering that reminds you this is an Imperial IPA without blowing away the great fruity notes. The finish is balanced, with some lingering sweet alcohols and low warming.

Those seeking the "norm" in Imperial IPAs might well complain that this beer is a little too restrained in IBUs and/or alcohol and is stuck in a bit of a time warp: it comes across as more of a 1.5x IPA rather than a double, but beers like Sierra Nevada's Torpedo Extra IPA show that these beers can work.