Imperial IPAs — Red Hook vs. Silver City

Red Hook Big Ballard
Imperial IPA
ABV 8.6% IBU 73

Color: Clear, golden orange.
Aroma: Clean, fresh citrus hops and a touch of stinky cheese.
Flavor: Starts sweet and syrupy then slowly morphs into an intense "bitter greens" bitterness.
Hops vs. Malts (Hoppy, Malty or Balanced): Hoppy.
Finish: Long lasting harsh bitterness.
Overall (Fantastic, Good, Mediocre or Bad): Good

Silver City
Whoop Pass Double IPA
ABV 8.5% IBU ?

Color: Hazy, brownish orange.
Aroma: Sweet honey with sharp, piney hops.
Flavor: Sweet and viscous. Orange blossom notes and nice floral hoppiness.
Hops vs. Malts (Hoppy, Malty or Balanced): Hoppy.
Finish: Mellow citrus peel (less bitter than the Red Hook).
Overall (Fantastic, Good, Mediocre or Bad): Good

Winner by unanimous decision: Silver City.
Imperial (or double) IPAs are all about hops and these beers were no exception. Both delivered their own special blend of extreme hoppiness, but it was the Whoop Pass that lived up to its name.

It really was an even match in the aroma and flavor, but Big Ballard tired down the stretch and lost his balance. The result was an intensely bitter finish that could barely be washed away with water. Granted, some people like that kind of tastebud beatdown, but it was a bit too much for us.

The Silver City, on the other hand, was silky smooth throughout the fight and finished with a pleasant citrus peel bitterness that faded away fairly quickly and left us wanting more.

If you like big, hoppy beers, both of these should be right up your alley. If you don't, don't you think it's about time you started a relationship with the Humulus Lupulus?