Ska Brewing Decadent Imperial IPA

Posted on March 12, 2008
Filed Under Brews and Breweries |

Ska Brewing (Durango, CO) has a series of imperial beers called “The Robust Reincarnations Series”. They are three beers based on their flagship brews done up Imperial-style. There is a Porter, IPA and a Blonde. I gave the Decadent Imperial IPA a go. According to Ska’s website is loaded at 99.9 IBU’s and an ABV of 10%!

Let’s get down to the issue with this brew. I was totally expecting a hoppy, over-the-top IPA with this beer and I didn’t think it tasted like it at all. Maybe it was the day or what I was eating (Spinach Ravioli in olive oil). Who knows!? This beer poured a dark, amber color with a limited, tan head that dissipated rather quickly. I swear the aroma on this reminded me of pineapple. More like the syrupy juice that comes in canned pineapples though.

Tasting is where I got totally thrown off by this beer. I was expecting bitter, but it came away very smooth and smokey tasting. There was a slight alcohol burn after swallow, but not really noticeable considering the 10% alcohol content. I waited on tasting the beer for about ten minutes, then I really let it warm up after about 20 minutes and it came off the same way. Very strange.

All-in-all, not too bad considering I kept thinking I was going to try a loaded IPA. It was a nice refresher on the warm day we had though.

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