Howling Man Imperial Pale Ale

14C. Imperial IPA
Aroma: A prominent to intense hop aroma that can be derived from American, English and/or noble varieties (although a
citrusy hop character is almost always present). Most versions are dry hopped and can have an additional resinous or grassy
aroma, although this is not absolutely required. Some clean malty sweetness may be found in the background. Fruitiness,
either from esters or hops, may also be detected in some versions, although a neutral fermentation character is typical.
Some alcohol can usually be noted, but it should not have a “hot” character.

Appearance: Color ranges from golden amber to medium reddish copper; some versions can have an orange-ish tint.
Should be clear, although unfiltered dry-hopped versions may be a bit hazy. Good head stand with off-white color should
persist.

Flavor: Hop flavor is strong and complex, and can reflect the use of American, English and/or noble hop varieties. High to
absurdly high hop bitterness, although the malt backbone will generally support the strong hop character and provide the
best balance. Malt flavor should be low to medium, and is generally clean and malty although some caramel or toasty
flavors are acceptable at low levels. No diacetyl. Low fruitiness is acceptable but not required. A long, lingering bitterness
is usually present in the aftertaste but should not be harsh. Medium-dry to dry finish. A clean, smooth alcohol flavor is
usually present. Oak is inappropriate in this style. May be slightly sulfury, but most examples do not exhibit this character.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium-light to medium body. No harsh hop-derived astringency, although moderate to medium-high carbonation can combine to render an overall dry sensation in the presence of malt sweetness. Smooth alcohol warming.

Overall Impression: 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.
Ingredients: Pale ale malt (well-modified and suitable for single-temperature infusion mashing); can use a complex variety
of hops (English, American, noble). American yeast that can give a clean or slightly fruity profile. Generally all-malt,
but mashed at lower temperatures for high attenuation. Water character varies from soft to moderately sulfate.


Commercial Examples: Russian River Pliny the Elder, Three Floyd’s Dreadnaught, Avery Majaraja, Bell’s Hop Slam, Stone
Ruination IPA, Great Divide Hercules Double IPA, Surly Furious, Rogue I2PA, Moylan’s Hopsickle Imperial India Pale Ale, Stoudt’s Double IPA, Dogfish Head 90-minute IPA, Victory Hop Wallop
 

Howling Man Imperial Pale Ale

The Big Brother of the classic India Pale Ale, Howling Man has the creamy, full body of a stout with the hoppiness of an India Pale Ale. Howling Man has an incredible profile of both floral almost sweet hoppiness combined with a crisp hop bitterness.  Sit back, relax and howl!

Our Stats

Original Gravity: 22 Plato (1.088 SG)

Final Gravity  5.5 Plato (1.022 SG)

Color:  6.4 ºL

IBU's:  75

Aug. BU/GU: 

ABV: 9.3%

Guideline Stats

Original Gravity::17.5 -22.5 Plato

                            (1.070 – 1.090 SG)

Final Gravity: 2.5 - 5  Plato

                           (1.010 – 1.020 SG)

Color: 8 – 15 ºL

IBUs:    60 – 120

 ABV: 7.5 – 10%

Final Gravity: The ending density of the beer as it finishes fermentation.  This tells you how much body the beer has.  A higher number means a fuller bodied beer.

Color:  Just that, the higher the number the darker the beer. 

IBU's:  International Bittering Units. A measure of how bitter the hops have made the beer

Augmented BU/GU:  A ratio of IBU's to Original Gravity.  This ratio will show how bitter or sweet the beer is for its style.  + means it's on the bitter side. - means it's on the sweet side