318. Great Lakes Lake Erie Monster

Only our second beer from Great Lakes (we tried the Oktoberfest back in August); we actually kinda feel bad about this, being that it is late in the year and all. Don’t worry, though—we’ll start spreading the Ohio love around soon, Great Lakes.

Who doesn’t love monsters?

Described as an unfiltered imperial IPA on the label, Lake Erie Monster pours a middlin’ copper with an ivory head. The nose is composed of orange, citrus, and resin hop aromas coupled with a few stray malt hints. Beginning with bready and biscuit malt flavors, Lake Erie Monster quickly moves into bitterness accompanied by spicy and resin hop flavors. There is some rising fruity sweetness at the end, along with some lingering spicy bitterness. The body is medium with medium carbonation, and the mouthfeel is slightly sticky. Overall, Lake Erie Monster is well balanced for an imperial; while not particularly complex, it is nonetheless easy, enjoyable drinking.

Did some one say well balanced?

From the Great Lakes website: “Double India Pale Ales are a strong, very hoppy style of pale beer. Also known as Imperial IPAs, these beers are essentially India Pale Ales that are brewed with higher amounts of malt and hops. While still relatively new, it is one of the fastest growing styles in the craft beer industry, and a favorite among ‘hopheads.’ A beer this distinctively hoppy inspires many a tall tale. And they don’t come taller than Bessie, the legendary monster that roams the shallow depths of Lake Erie.”

ABV: 9.1%

IBU: 72

(5/14/2010)