Summit Saga Imperial IPA

 Summit Saga Imperial IPA.

A mighty 9% ABV, Summit Brewing, St. Paul, Mike. 

It’s been a while since Summit released a double/ imperial IPA. One based on Saga should be pretty good, right? Let’s find out. 

Clear, deep crimson, creamy white head, long lasting and lace leaving.

In the nose: soft, floral, fruity, delightful. Some citrus.?Slight caramel malt aromatics. 

In the mouth: blast of bitterness pervades the palate, citrus and berries dance upon the tongue. Alcohol rises up and makes it’s presence known. Maltier than expected. This is not the bright citrusy Saga turned up a notch or two, but a different style of IIPA using the Saga banner, much as how every new IPA from New Belgium rests under their Voodoo Ranger emblem. Saga is a brand now, not a specific beer. 

Only a few weeks ago, a Saga sampler 12-pack came out with the phrase “4 legendary beers “ on the box. How can they all be “legendary “ when three of them are less than a year old? Also, I submit this photo of the 12-pack box (still the only format that this beer has been released in, by itself), to show that they got the color wrong. 

It’s a fine enough DIPA (or IIPA, take your pick), and at the price, it will compete with Sierra Nevada (who currently has three double IPA 12-packs out, all at $17.99), New Belgium & others. I’ll probably return to it to give me my DIPA fix, from time to time. 

Bold, Intense, and Delicious

Perfectly balanced 9% ABV IPA with notes of tangerine, sweet stone fruit, and caramel flavors blended together with a honey malt base. This Imperial IPA also boasts classic hop flavors of pine and citrus with a warm finish.

Conversation Starter

One of the highest-ABV beers produced at Summit Brewing – Sága Imperial. With a perfectly balanced 9% ABV, this IPA boasts an explosion of flavors like notes of tangerine, sweet stone fruit, and caramel, all complemented by a honey malt base.