Grizzly Growler

OK, it’s a subjective thing, but good looking beer often can be good beer. Color only is part of the beer experience, but it can be equally as enjoyable as the taste. That’s if you’re someone who enjoys the whole taste, sound, texture, look thing.

I for one am one.

The first time I saw a pint of Roy’s Imperial IPA, from Flathead Lake Brewing Co., the deep mahogany of the beer against the dark wood planks that make up the bar in the tasting room, dark from years of submersion in Flathead Lake, looked formidable, as some big IPAs can be.

But a server lifted the pint glass up for a moment and the summer light streaming in from the lake-view windows showed a beer more burnt umber, or maybe the edges of the golden orange from my Fender American Deluxe Jazz 3-tone Sunburst Bass Guitar
that I played in jazz band.

The warm color of the beer mesmerized me until the server, perhaps a little self conscious, glanced down at herself a few times and then smiled awkwardly. I would have explained myself, but 14 years of marriage has made me less-than-sure of how to extricate myself uncomplicatedly from the situation. I just gulped and asked if I might have a pint of what looked like a very tasty brew.

The blog was brand new then, and I was on a 350-mile beer tour of Flathead Valley breweries, so I didn’t really take a lot of notes.

Here then is my review of Flathead Lake Brewing Co.’s Roy’s Imperial IPA:

We’ve gone over the color, but you really can’t hurry this part. Take a second to stare into the burnt-orange that lightens into creamsicle on the lacy edges of your glass. The foamy head is quite firm with a lot of structure that lasts well into the tasting experience. Many big IPAs are over-the-top, with triple-digit IBUs (if there is such a thing) and enough alcohol to preserve a small lab animal.

Not this one.

At a respectable 8.5 ABV, and with lush caramel maltiness, some hints of dried tropical fruit, a bit of a raisin characteristic, Roy’s Imperial IPA is one of the best imperial/original IPAs I’ve had. A citrusy hop profile provides a nice backbone that is more than a minor player, but not the lead character. The aroma is all resiny hop goodness, while the first sip is so complex that you almost smile involuntarily.

This mouth knows what it likes.

Roy’s is named after Flathead Lake Brewing Co. owner Terry Leonard’s grandfather. A 30-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, Roy Bishenaur must have been a delightfully complex person. I think beers should always be modeled on delightfully complex people.

Prost,

GG