Blackfoot River Brewing Co.’s Imperial IPA
Blackfoot River Brewing Co.'s Imperial IPA
It’s no secret that my favorite Montana IPA is Blackfoot River Brewing Co.’s Single Malt IPA. I’ll often make the long trek up Snowbowl Road in order to grab a pint of it in summer and winter, being that I don’t exactly have easy access to the killer, newish taproom in Helena.
Since I had to make a road trip to Helena for business purposes, I managed to squeeze in a visit to the taproom, where I was fortunate enough to try a pint of the newish Imperial IPA, Blackfoot’s ode to the passage of HB 400. This nine-percent + ABV monster was the perfect sipper for an hour of high-tech talk and catching up with an old friend.
Two things stand out about this beer. The first is that it’s actually an Imperial IPA, not just a weak, 7.0 ABV wannabe. There is plenty of alcohol on the nose, but the classic floral nose and Blackfoot-malt backbone are balanced behind that nose to give you the quintessential Imperial IPA experience. If you’re going to pay $5.00 per pint, you want to be sure you’re having a legitimate big beer.
The second thing that stands out to me in this beer is the fluid structure of the beer. There is no strange, overpowering flavor as I’ve tried in other big beers. The hoppy exterior on the palate is married to that woodsy graininess inherent in Blackfoot beers as all well-balanced beer should be. If it weren’t for the increased alcohol and the big flavors of a higher-than-normal grain bill, this would be any one of the brewery’s classic, clean beers.
I doubt we’ll get any kegs of this big Montana beer over on our side of the divide any time soon, so if I can encourage you to take one road trip before winter locks us in for the next six months, go to Helena and try an Imperial IPA, so say nothing of their other fantastic selections on their growing beer list.
Prost,
GG
I agree–The Blackfoot River Brewing Company’s Single Malt IPA is my favorite, too. Clean is right! I’m also a big fan of the Kettlehouse’s Double Haul. I believe the James Bar at 119 W Alder in downtown Missoula (next to Al & Vic’s) has the Blackfoot IPA on tap.
Tim,
I’m glad that you made it over for an Imperial IPA and thanks for the kind words. I have been wanting to brew a “big” imperial IPA for years and finally got the chance with the passage of HB400. I also don’t get to brew everyday anymore, so I really enjoyed putting this one together.
Alas, it is now all gone so any readers thinking of driving over from Missoula for a pint of the IIPA please hold off for now.
However, we did set aside two firkins of the IIPA for our soon-to-be regular cask offerings in the Taproom. I’ll let you know before it goes on the beer engine in case anyone is headed this way. We plan on serving our cask beers in the Real Ale tradition, so no CO2 or cask breathers, therefore they will only be on tap for a day (or maybe part of a 2nd). Cheers, -Brian