Great Divide Hercules Double IPA
Well, my stint with session brews was rather short-lived, wasn’t it.
It didn’t jump ship because I wanted something bigger (not that there’s anything wrong with that), it’s just that I ran out of sessionable beers and had to resort to something that would quench my thirst and desire for something truly hoppy on a hot, humid Summer day. Great Divide’s Hercules Double IPA was just such a beer.
Appearance
Hercules pours a clear amber with a one finger white head that clung to the glass nicely.
Aroma
Oh yeah. That’s just what I need. There is a good amount of piny hops in this beer with tinges of citrus and orange peel. There’s also a surprising bit of malt sweetness as the beer’s 10% ABV sits quietly in the background of the nose.
Taste
Super tasty beer. The hops are big and bitter with a very up front presence that starts off with some orange peel before transitioning to a more resinous pine characteristic. This a medium bodied beer with a slightly syrupy feel on the tongue as it makes its way to a biting, piny finish. The alcohol is hidden nicely in the beer, making for a deceptively drinkable beer.
Overall
My need for hops was quickly fulfilled with this big brew from Great Divide. The piny, citrus hops mixed perfectly with the more subtle sweet malts. Be careful with this one, the higher ABV will sneak up on you if you’re not prepared.
Rating: 4/5