Brues Alehouse Brewing Co
Royal Imperial IPL
Style: Imperial India Pale Lager, BJCP 14C
Grain- Extra Pale Premium Pilsner, Carafoam, Amber DME, Wheat DME, Extra Light DME
Hops - Simcoe, Galaxy, 630, Ekuanot, Mosaic
Yeast- Lager yeast originating from a Munich Lager Brewery
Adjuncts- None
Water- Reverse Osmosis Base with high additions of CaSO4, CaCl2
Original Gravity: 21 Degrees Plato
ABV: 9.2%
Estimated IBU - 75
Color: 8 SRM
Our Impression: We love everything lager, and we’ve found that lager yeast excels in any style that requires a clean fermentation profile. Classic American IPAs are normally brewed with a clean fermenting ale strain, and this goes for Imperial IPAs as well. The idea is to create a nice neutral foundation for the hops to sit on top of. Thus, lager yeast is actually a great yeast to insert into this style. However, cold fermentations (sub 50 F) require at least twice the amount of yeast, and fermentations and conditioning can take weeks to months. These variables are exponential when brewing high ABV styles, which is why most breweries would not proceed with this route. Since our house yeast is a lager strain, we have taken the challenge to brew and stretch the limits of what most people perceive as “lager”. We hope you enjoy this fine beverage!
Aroma: Fresh hop bouquet with notes of stone fruit, pine, and citrus.
Appearance: Royal Imperial pours deep golden and brilliant. A nice white-colored head emerges when poured, with nice lacing on the glass.
Flavor: Royal Imperial takes on the super-hop character found in American imperial IPAs , with loads of dank citrus and stone fruit. The alcohol, however, is cleaner and less perceptive due to a cool fermentation, never going above 48 degrees Fahrenheit. The result is greater drinkability and less higher alcohols (which are attributed to headaches and hangovers.) The overall drinking experience is more elegant than the traditional Imperial IPL. However, this beer is no slouch and certainly packs a punch!
Mouthfeel: Medium body and medium carbonation.