ELST Company Double IPA

This is my first brew from ELST Brewing Company out of Knoxville, TN. It is always interesting to me to try and figure out what criteria a brewery uses to figure out what to refer to their beer as. For instance, this IPA is referred to as a dry-hopped double IPA. Now the ABV on this bad boy sits at 9.5%, which is clearly in the imperial category yet no mention of this being an imperial IPA. No matter…whatever they wish to call this particular brew…I will simply call it good. The beer pours a lovely reddish-orange/brown color. Nice head development. The beer is somewhat hazy in appearance. The nose is sweet stonefruit. Flavors are juicy and run the range from piney and resinous to sweet and somewhat malty. The IBU’s for this beer are at 95 so expect some bitterness. The other flavors help to balance the bitterness do that it is a background noise at best. Although not my usual favorite style, this beer is quite nice and very drinkable despite the high ABV.

Rating 9.0