An intensely hoppy, very strong pale ale without the big maltiness and/or deeper malt flavors of an American barleywine. Strongly hopped, but clean, lacking harshness, and a tribute to historical IPAs. Drinkability is an important characteristic; this should not be a heavy, sipping beer. It should also not have much residual sweetness or a heavy character grain profile.
History: A recent American innovation reflecting the trend of American craft brewers “pushing the envelope” to satisfy the need of hop aficionados for increasingly intense products. The adjective “Imperial” is arbitrary and simply implies a stronger version of an IPA; “double,” “extra,” “extreme,” or any other variety of adjectives would be equally valid.
Comments: Bigger than either an English or American IPA in both alcohol strength and overall hop level (bittering and finish). Less malty, lower body, less rich and a greater overall hop intensity than an American Barleywine. Typically not as high in gravity/alcohol as a barleywine, since high alcohol and malt tend to limit drinkability. A showcase for hops.
I've heard someone make a distinction between double and imperial IPA. I think it was on the Maharaja episode of Can You Brew It. The interviewee was saying that a double usually finished dryer and was more drinkable than an imperial, which he compared more to a more highly-hopped barleywine. A little more residual sweetness and more body than a double.
Is there really a difference? I don't know, but that was one person's interpretation.
I've heard someone make a distinction between double and imperial IPA. I think it was on the Maharaja episode of Can You Brew It. The interviewee was saying that a double usually finished dryer and was more drinkable than an imperial, which he compared more to a more highly-hopped barleywine. A little more residual sweetness and more body than a double.
Is there really a difference? I don't know, but that was one person's interpretation.
I think eventually imperial Porter [...] will become categories.
The idea being that Imperial Stouts were called Imperial because they were shipped to the Imperial court in Russia.
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