New Belgium Rampant Imperial IPA

So, finally, New Belgium has embraced hops, at long last. First an IPA, now a double IPA. Who knows what's next ? Boubon-barrel barley-wines? Let's not go crazy, now…


New Belgium Rampant Double IPA, New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Alc./Vol 8.5%.

 Clear, amber/bronze appearance, slim, but staying dotted white head.

Aroma: a refreshing blast of pine and citrus, lemon rind and orange zest, a pithy blend of hoppitude. Clean, tropical, fresh and lively. Love it.

Taste: In the mouth, it's a punchy blast of wonderful bitter hoppiness. Just a bit of sweet, honey-ish taste in the middle there. Great bitter buzz on the tongue, grips the palate, lasts long in the back of the throat. A very active double IPA, delivering waves upon waves of tastiness. Not too over-the-top, this one, and not found wanting, either. A bounce from piney flavors to pineapple, back to lemon and lime, all without losing a grip on the palate. Really well done.

Medium to light body, bursting with fruit notes, and very easy-drinking, despite the higher alcohol.

Hey, let's read the gobbledygook on the label: "It starts to take over. That craving for hops. The hoppier the happier. The happier the higher the IBU. The higher the IBU the larger the ABV. The higher the ABV the more we're going to have to keep an eye on this Rampant Imperial IPA proliferating with heavy peach tones, herbal sweetness, and aromatic complexity."

Peach tones? I missed those. (Now that I hear it, I'm starting to noice it.)
Otherwise, groovy, but they could go in for some grammar, that wouldn't hurt.