Imperial IPA
Imperial IPA, also called double IPA, is an India pale ale brewed bigger in every direction: more malt, more alcohol and far more hops. It is 8% to 10% ABV and can pass 80 IBU. It is a beer for sipping rather than for quenching thirst.
Food pairings
- Spicy food
- Blue cheese
- Carrot cake
Glassware and serving temperature
Tulip or snifter48 to 54°F (9–12°C)
What it tastes like
Intense grapefruit, pine, resin, mango and orange peel, a firm bitterness and a warming alcohol finish with a hint of sweetness. The best examples stay surprisingly dry. Body is medium to full.
Where it comes from
Vinnie Cilurzo brewed the first double IPA at Blind Pig in California in 1994 and perfected it as Pliny the Elder at Russian River in 2000. The word imperial is borrowed from Russian imperial stout, which was brewed strong for export to the Russian court. Triple IPA, at 10% and up, is the next step.
How to serve it
9–12°C, a little warmer than a regular IPA, in a tulip or snifter so the aroma collects. Share a bottle and drink it fresh.
What to eat with it
Strong, spicy food, blue cheese, carrot cake and anything that can stand up to it. It overwhelms delicate dishes.
