Meet Larry

Wachusett Larry Imperial IPA

Brewed by Wachusett Brewery in Wachusett, Massachusetts

Color -----------------------           Copper, a good IPA color

Head-------------------------          Flat and smooth, a good pour 

Boutique-------------------- 6       Flowery with a hint of pine

Body-------------------------7        good mouth feel

Bite-------------------------   6       A strong bite that could use a kick in the hops. 

Hops -----------------------6           Medium hoppiness, Amarillo, Chinook, Simcoe and Centennial Hops

Taste------------------------- 7          Overall the taste was pleasant but expected more

Aftertaste------------------7

Notes: American Two Row, Crystal and Munich Malts.

Overall Score       39/60    A fair beer. 

The beer was served at Oula Oula café in a very cozy atmosphere.  With nearly 15 beers on tap and over forty in the bottle.  A wide selection of both New England breweries and west coast breweries.   A very balanced selection that pairs well with the food selection.  The service was great and food was delicious.  However they were out of most of the tap beers the day we arrived.  We made several selections then were told they could not pour.  A real disappointment.  The beer was nicely paired with a hot capicola, red peeper, and mozzarella Panini.  The Imperial was a deep rusty copper in color, a very nice IPA color.  It was a draft, with a well poured head, very smooth and flat in a regular pint glass.  Very flowery and piney boutique with earthy notes in which the hops show through.   A very full bodied IPA.  Heavy on the tongue and a great mouth feel. A strong bite that shows a kick in the hops.  Medium hoppiness in which I am unaware of precise hops but was nicely hopped.  I was expecting a much stronger and deeper hoppiness in an Imperial IPA.  Was a little let down by the hop profile and needed more finishing hops to pull the balance of the beer together.    Overall the beer had a decent taste to it.  However when calling itself an Imperial IPA the taste should knock me over and it did not.  It was flavorful and refreshing but lacking in the finish.  The aftertaste was pleasant and hoppy and completed the experience.  I would definitely try the beer again and enjoyed the experience.

Tasted 6-26-2011