Review: 3 Floyds Arctic Panzer Wolf

Craft Circa:  1996

Style:  Imperial IPA

ABV:  9.5%

IBUs: 100

Notables:  Year round double IPA.

Label:  It’s not their best, but still pretty good.  Should we expect anything else from 3 Floyds?  It’s another flamboyant, effective label.  

Overall:   It has an initial bite similar to that of Jon Voight.  You think to yourself: OK, these 22 ounces are not going to be a relaxing stroll in the park.  It’s going to be more of a Space Mountain kind of ride, hitting you fast and often with unexpected turns and drops.  However, as you are bracing yourself for the next dip, the brew starts to smooth out, and become quite pleasant.  Not that I am any expert by any means, but this beer is one of the more complex ones I have come across.  The bottom line though is that it is a strong finisher, and the more you consume it, the more you want of it.  It’s a very solid beer.  Hops all over the place, full flavored, a malty backbone, and a voyage that will leave you wanting to get back in line for another spin. 

Imperial IPA, is basically a double IPA.  Breaking it down, Imperial is defined as an empire.  The Yankees of IPAs if you will, wanting more, taking more, buying more, incorporating more… you get the idea.  It’s basically more of everything…. and that explains the wild ride.  I’m just thankful I was tall enough TO ride and enjoy the trip.  

Imagine if they served this at the Epcot American Pavilion instead of Budweiser.  At 9.5%, we’d all be singing it’s a small word after all.

Acquisition:  22 oz. - $12

Windfall:  The "it's a small world" attraction was first designed for the 1964 New York World's Fair and later moved to the Disneyland Resort in California along with 3 other attractions, including Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (which became part of the Hall of Presidents) and the Carousel of Progress. ~ Disney.com

~gY

Brewery:  3 Floyds Brewing LLC

Locale:  Munster, IN

Review: Two Brothers Hop Juice

Brewery:  Two Brothers Brewing Company

Locale:  Warrenville, IL

Craft Circa:  1997

Style:  Double IPA

ABV:  9.9%

IBUs:  100.1

Notables:  An artisan beer crafted with a limited release in June of each year. 

Label:  Wonderful bottle.  A hop squeezed into a glass.  Sigh…. if it only were that easy.   

Overall:   I hyped this one up in my mind due to the favorable beers and consistency I’ve consumed through Two Brothers.  Across the board they are one of the more unswerving breweries out there.  Hop Juice did not disappoint.  This is an extraordinary brew.  No wonder this brew has its own festival.   That’s right, its own festival.  The Hop Juice Festival takes place the first weekend of June each year, to kick off the release I imagine.   They also have a home brew competition, so start working on yours this year. 

Double IPAs, also referred to as Imperial IPAs are an extra hopped version of an IPA. They typically have alcohol content above 7.5% volume according to Wiki. 

This is an extra hopped version of their Resistance IPA, with full citrus and a balanced blend of caramel that works nicely.  A little heavier than I would have imagined, making it difficult to drink another in the midst of a heat wave, but an excellent beer.  Very smooth, very bold, and it’s a very good choice for just about any occasion.  Just make that occasion a June event to take advantage of the fresh hops.  Hovering around 10% alcohol, a few of these and you’ll be doing stunts like Mrs. Featherbottom in no time! 

Acquisition:  22 oz.  $8 - $9

Tidbits:  The Hop Juice festival takes place outside of Naperville, IL.  If you plan on attending in the near future, play it safe!  Naperville and the surrounding area are continuously in the top tier for DUI arrests in Illinois and are infamous for making busts constantly. 

~gY