Apr 10, 2015

Flying Dog Single Hop Warrior Imperial IPA

The Warrior hop variety is typically only employed in brewing for its bittering capabilities. Rarely, if ever, has it been the sole focus of a beer. Leave it to Flying Dog to take this behind-the-scenes hop and heave it into the spotlight with their Single Hop Warrior Imperial IPA.

And how does Warrior do on its own? Well, for a bittering hop, pretty darn well. The aroma is fairly subtle with hints of grapefruit, grass and herbal notes. The taste on the other hand is a bit more difficult to describe. This brew has quite the unique hop flavor. There are tropical fruits in the mix (some mango and perhaps guava), as well as what my wife could only describe as “basil, but not basil.” The only way to really know how this 10% ABV imperial IPA tastes is to crack one open for yourself.

Appearance

The beer pours a rich amber in color with a frothy cap of tawny foam.

Flying Dog Single Hop Warrior Imperial IPA

Aroma

Rye, bready malt, grapefruit, grass and herbal notes combine for a rather subdued aroma—at least, in comparison to the other releases in the brewery’s line of single-hop beers.

Taste

Thankfully, the hop characteristics are more on display here. The aforementioned tropical fruit component arrives first with a touch of grass, the interesting basil-y herbal note and a moderate sweetness that does its best to balance out a moderate-to-high hop bitterness. Warrior certainly has a unique flavor when focused to such a degree as Flying Dog have done here. The beer has appropriate warmth and a lasting, slightly drying finish.

Overall

This is my first Warrior-specific beer. I know that it’s been in the mix of many that I have crossed paths with before, but none have delivered it in such a fashion as this imperial IPA. It’s certainly much different than any other hop variety, flavor-wise, that I have crossed paths with. As I said above, the traits are hard to put into words, but tasty nonetheless.

Rating: 3.75/5

This is a review of a promotional sample.

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