Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery Royal P.I.A.

Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery Royal PIA. Pale India Ale. Why not IPA. Because the production of this beer was a royal p--- in the a--, or that's what I've been told.

Clear, deep amber coloring, nearly crimson, slim white head.

Aroma: Big, fat hoppy nose, bold, robust, brimming with bitterness. Bright and ripe with fruity esters, slightly sweet and utterly enticing.

Taste: In the mouth, bustling flavors mingle and meld. Tasty, sweet, warm malt holds down the fort, never-ending bitterness bounces on the palate. Big and bold are the words of the day.

What are we getting here? Apple, cherry, going from bright to burnt as the alcohol rises in prominence. I'm getting the feeling of an English-style IPA, done double, which is starting to resemble a barley-wine, or sorts. And it is delicious. Have I mentioned that? Man, is it ever!

Hey, here's the full story, straight from the brewery: "This coming monday 9/2 marks a special beer release. Aware that it is Labor Day, we will open at 4pm.....just in time to release our Royal PIA at 5pm. As we are all aware, Duluth has been declared the Beer Capitol of Minnesota......now we see "North Shore" style pale ales developing. These tend to be dry finishing hop forward beers loaded with flavor. In honor of our friends to the north we decided to brew one of these.
Royal PIA - is a strong pale india ale (nearly 9%abv) that features Mosaic hops....a bunch of them. Now another faction of North Shore style beers is the great Lake Superior water these northern brewers are lucky enough to use to make their beer.......well, we went far offshore in Lake Superior and got some of our own to make this beer.
 Come and get some, it will go fast."