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22oz Bomber

I've wanted to try this IIPA for a long time now and thanks to Dyan's huge LNBA BIF box, now's the time. Thanks Dyan! Hoptimus Prime pours apricot orange with haziness dense enough to keep me from seeing through the glass. Two fingers worth of clean white head formed on a gentle pour and eventually receded to a skim coat with a thick collar. Thin jagged lacing gets left behind after each drink.

This IIPA has a unique nose that I can't decide if I like or not. The hop profile has solid grapefruit pith and orange peel presence but what make it unique are the big herbal qualities. There is a heavy handed dose of biscuity malts that work to balance the hoppiness but fall short. The herbal earthiness brings some dirty qualities to the nose.

Biscuity and pale malt sweetness starts things off and lays down a solid backbone for the hops to shine. Grapefruit pith pushes back the orange peel the nose suggested while the herbal hoppiness joins in mid-palate and pushes through the finish. The swallow brings an aspirin-like bitterness that lingers until the next drink. The bitterness of this IIPA is in the back of the throat.

The body is on the more moderate side of heavy with a little stick after the swallow. Moderate bitterness coats the tongue while stronger bitterness fills the throat. The carbonation is easy so the body flows through at its own pace.

This is a pretty easy drinker for sporting such a high abv. The bitterness grows over time but who doesn't love that? This bomber is disappearing pretty quickly.

I was unsure about this IIPA when I first started drinking it. The herbal hoppiness threw me off but it faded over time and I really started liking this beer. Thanks again for this IIPA and the LNBA box Dyan!

Reviewed: 10/7/08

Served In: Snifter