Coronado Brewing 19th Anniversary Imperial IPA
A quick search on this site will reveal that Coronado Brewing has produced some stellar IPAs in the past couple of years — including their tropical fruity 18th Anniversary. So, it’s no surprise that the company is celebrating their latest birthday with another big imperial IPA.
For their 19th year in business, Coronado has combined a potent blend of hop varieties (Citra, Galaxy, Green Bullet, Mosaic, Nugget and Simcoe) into a brew that isn’t as fruit-forward as their last, but presents a more dynamic, earthier presentation. Grass, pine and citrus all come together in a deceptively smooth drinking IPA that, at 9% ABV and 80 IBU, still packs a potent punch.
Appearance
A small, rocky cap of tawny foam sits atop the burnt amber brew.
Aroma
The aroma on this beer is excellent with wafts of tropical fruits (melon, grapefruit, orange and a hint of pineapple), light berries, soft pine resin, a peppery tingle, herbal/flowery notes and soft caramel.
Taste
Overall, the beer is much earthier than past IPAs that I’ve had from the company. Pine, grass, leafy hops and grain arrive first leading the way. Grapefruit, orange rind and a hint of mango all fade into picture effortlessly with a surprisingly easy going bitterness. A moderate malt sweetness, honey and a touch of caramel bring up the rear before it all drifts lazily into a lasting and warming finish. That peppery tingle on the nose also lingers gently here.
Overall
I love the earthy character to this brew, as well as that peppery trait that mixes with a wonderful blend of hop flavors. If Coronado knows how to do anything, it’s brew a tasty IPA. Their 19th Anniversary Imperial IPA is proof enough of that, and an example of why I love what these guys have been doing in recent years.
Rating: 4.25/5
This is a review of a promotional sample.
