Name

I’m just going to throw this out there.  I love Nelson Sauvin hops.  After my first introduction to the hops through a number of Funky Buddha beers I just love these.  The big grapefruit aroma and taste I get from them just makes me a happy beer geek.

So when I saw this new brew from Widmer Brothers on the shelf and it was called Nelson Imperial IPA I was intrigued.  Upon further reading it seems a healthy dose of Nelson Savin hops were indeed used in the making of this beer.  I was happy enough to find this bottle a new home.  And the contents of the bottle a new home too, in my stomach.

I poured the brew into a standard pint glass.  It was slightly hazy and a nice orange color.  There is a big white head that forms on top and does leave a little lacing on the glass.

Huge smell of the Nelson Sauvin hops.  Lots of grapefruit.  There are other citrus like orange that can be picked up.  And there is a good malt smell to it as well.

Ah the ever dreaded statement that the taste is a lot like the nose.  But really it is.  Trust me!  Lot’s of hoppy taste from the Nelson Sauvin hops and a very nice malt backing to it.

Was I satisfied?  You betcha!  This hop strain is just incredible.  The only thing I don’t like is that it’s from New Zealand so it’s not used all that often by American brewers.  But damn when they do is it good.

As for Widmer, I see a lot of people crap on them.  But with this new series of bigger beers I think they are showing they can really brew.  I had the Black IPA a week or so ago and enjoyed that one.  Good job guys!

So if you are a fan of the Kiwi hop variety or just like good well made DIPAs then do yourself a favor and get this one.

Grade - A

Appearance – Poured an absolutely clear orange color.  There was a super thin white head but it was gone before I could even snap a picture.

Smell – Honey and booze is pretty much all I get in the nose.  Kind of smells like rubbing alcohol.

Taste – Super sweet honey flavor with a really strong alcohol backing through out.  The booze gets even more intense as it warms up.

I’ll admit I was hooked into buying this because of the box it came in (no pic sorry) and now kind of regret it.  I’ve only had one other braggot before and that was Brooklyn Buzz Bomb.  That beer wasn’t nearly as intense as this one.  This was just honey and alcohol.  It was rough to drink cold and close to undrinkable when it warmed up.  I don’t know which one I got a more classic braggot out of but if this is what the style is like I might pass on future braggots.  I’m sorry Widmer Brothers.  I like your Drifter Pale Ale and the Hefe is solid but this just wasn’t good at all to me.

Overall Grade – D-

Appearance – Pours a clear amber color with a one finger wide white head.  It leaves a pretty good amount of lacing on the glass.

Smell – Malty with some earthy hop smells in the back ground.

Taste – Nice mixture of caramel like malts and earthy and citrus hops.

I’ve had a couple people tell me before that this is a really solid pale ale.  So going off their recommendations I decided to pick it up.  There are right.  It is a very solid pale ale.  There is nothing crazy or over the top and nothing lacking.  Nice mixture of malts and hops.  Wow this is the third review in a row that I have given the same grade.

Overall Grade – B+