Brewdog Brewery Hardcore IPA
December 4, 2009
Having recently tried, Tokyo Extra Stout by the Brewdog Brewery in Fraserburgh, Scotland, I allowed my tastebuds a couple of days to recover and then turned my attention to the brewery’s ‘Hardcore IPA’.
Hopefully I need not expound too much on the origins of IPA… it was originally brewed in Bow (East London) in the late 17th Century by George Hodgson, and later adopted by the Allsop brewery. India Pale Ale was brewed with a higher concentration of hops to exploit the preservative properties offered by the hops, thus enabling said brews to survive the long sea voyage around the coast of Africa to refresh British troops in India.
It’s a style of beer that’s become global, certainly in the top three with lagers and stouts, and American Pale Ales have taken the style to new levels of hoppiness.
The Brewdog website describes their Hardcore IPA as “an extreme beer rollercoaster for freaks, gypsies and international chess superstars.” and as an “explicit ale (that) has more hops and bitterness that any other beer brewed in the UK.”
Okay, so that’s the hyperbole over with, maybe some more information?
“2,204 malted Maris Otter grains gave all they had to offer the world to provide the robustly delicate toffee malt canvas for the ensuing epic.
6 Hop Cones willingly sacrificed themselves in fiery cauldron that is our brew kettle to ensure your mouth is left feeling punished and puckering for more.
9,900,000,000 yeast cells frantically fermented their little hearts out as the sugars were magically turned into alcohol in the dark depths of our fermentation tanks.”
In more mundane terms that’s a recipe that includes Marris Otter Extra Pale Malt; Simcoe, Chinook, Amarillo and Warrior hops. “Hopped to hell, then dry-hopped to hell too”.
With a bitterness rating of 150 and name like “Hardcore IPA” I think it’s reasonable to expect more than a few hops.
Oh, and I don’t think I mentioned, it’s brewed to 9% ABV! – That’s hardcore. The same brewery’s ‘Punk IPA is brewed to a mere 6% ABV and has 65 IBU’s
So, I poured this IPA into my antique Edinburgh crystal goblet, and was greeted with a strong, honey coloured head. Again it subsides quite quickly, and leaves no lacing.
And perhaps surprisingly honey is a keyword for this brew, the nose is of honey and elderflower, actually rather pleasant, and beyond hoppiness.
Flavourwise, well the honey and elderflower are still in there, but there are hops all the way, the honey sweetness balancing the hoppy bitterness, all backed with a malty richness. Where the Tokyo Stout is reminiscent of brandy or port, this extreme IPA is redolent of a (very) dry sherry.
I’m going to give this four stars, a great IPA, even going beyond IPA, and based on the first two beers I’ve tasted from Brewdog, I’m looking forward to trying the rest for The Brew Club!
Rating: 
What about you? Ever try the Brewdog Hardcore IPA? What did you think of it?
Posted in 4 Star Reviews, Ales, European Beers, Views from a Brit
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December 4th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Just got this in at a local store…I think I’ll pick it up. I love the use of Maris Otter in an IPA. I’ll bee looking for the honey notes!
nate´s last blog ..The Cost of Beer: Inflation
December 4th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Nice Post Bob. I was surprised when I saw an IPA being reviewed on the Brew Club knowing Scott’s dislike of them. Then it became apparent as I read on that it was your post. Very well done, I would like to try something from Brewdog. I’ll have to see if my local beer store carries them. Sounds like for an IPA they got the balance right, even though it is very hoppy.
Don´s last blog ..The SPIRIT of the Season
December 4th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
See Don, we throw some curve balls every now and then! These guys are getting a lot of press lately which is interesting in itself, but its good to hear they make good beer as well. I haven’t tried any of their stuff yet but I don’t think I’ve seen any of it in my local places either.
Scott-TBC´s last blog ..Brew Your Own Beer From a Kit – Part 4 Brewing
May 26th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
I’ve had several Brewdog beers – the 5AM Saint Ale, the Rip Tide Stout, the Dogma Ale, the Tokyo Stout, and the Paradox Isle of Arran – but I haven’t tried this one. Based on your review it sounds like it might be the best of the bunch.
I do have to say that even though I’ve found Brewdog’s beers hit or miss, I really respect that they really go for it. Each beer seems to come from a concept they had in mind, and then they execute on that concept.
I will definitely make point to try as many of their offerings as I can. Any of their other beers you’ve tried that you recommend?
Royce´s last blog ..Beer Wednesday: Pipeline Porter by Kona Brewing Co
May 26th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Unlike Bob, I’ve still to try any Brewdog products! I give them credit for pushing the envelope too, I just wonder if its pushing for pushing sake.
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Blackberry Wheat Beer Battle
May 27th, 2010 at 9:31 am
I still have a few Brewdog brews on my shelf, but they’re not for everyday drinking. I approach them with a mixture of caution and respect, as they’re always something special.
I’ll get round to the rest on the shelf, and will post my reviews here at The Brewclub.
Although, for the record, I had a pint of their Zeitgeist this lunchtime, a 4.9% dark lager, and it was very pleasant. As an off the cuff rating I’d give it 3 stars.
Bob Massey´s last blog ..Hanging on the Telephone