Chicagoist: Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week:" Moylan's Hopsickle Imperial Ale

DROOO

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:08:20 -0600

SRFeldman79: homebrewer? you've got me trumped. i've brewed, but i am no expert, and i can't argue the ridiculousness of a triple IPA. on their double IPA (Moylander) label, it mentions beating alpha king in competition; even shows the alpha king logo! i know it sounds blasphemous, but i actually agree with the judges. their regular IPA is good too, but i'm more of a fan of the moylander than either the hopsickle or regular IPA. Joe: it's been here for a few months. last i heard, the binnys on the south side has more than just their IPA's as well.

JoeM500

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:59:38 -0600

aaaaahhhh ;-) I should have known, haha! next stop: LUSH

Chuck Sudo

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:30:17 -0600

Specifically, Joe, it's a Lush thing.

JoeM500

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:27:11 -0600

their IIPA or Double IPA is called MOYLANDER and, I too, think it is more enjoyable than Hopsickle... but Hopsickle is fun! I didn't know Moylans was in Illinois!?!?! Must be a new thing! www.flickr.com/photos/m500/1543238586/

SRFeldman79

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:27:12 -0600

i love the maharaja. technically (and i say this as a homebrewer), the concept of a triple IPA is nonsense unless its a belgian tripel/IPA, which is a newer Belgian style hop bomb. triple hopping/dry hopping/etc is not where the name comes from (double doesn't mean double the hops either). good point though, they do market it as a triple and it is seriously intense. i have the regular IPA in my fridge, ill have to look for the double soon. and the double beats alpha king? i think alpha king might just be an APA, but still, blasphemy maybe.

DROOO

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:32:22 -0600

you almost had me doubting myself, but i'm certain of this: in chicago, you can find their (single) IPA, double IPA (beat alpha king) and the hopsickle which is labeled as a triple IPA. it's even mentioned in the review. i'm much more of a fan of the double, but i haven't had the privilege of enjoying one in months because i can't seem to get to the store before they're bought out. i agree with you though. i love hoppy beers. i recently tried the hop juice, and it is in fact very tasty. however, my most recent discovery is from Avery brewing company out of boulder, CO. it's called The Maharaja. it's an imperial IPA and it's OUTSTANDING. if you haven't tried, look for it; you won't be disappointed.

SRFeldman79

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:03:33 -0600

DROOOO - this is their double IPA (double and imperial are the same thing). i love this beer. I find with hop bombs like this and Two Brother's Hop Juice, you need to drink them early on in the night. Once you are drunk, the sweetness and hop resiny-ness is just too much and gets annoying.

RoyE

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:06:40 -0600

I love a good IPA or even a IIPA, but Hopsickle was just too much for me. Founders Devil Dancer was the same thing for me, just a hop bomb of bitterness. I did lay one down in the cellar for 6 months and it was a lot better, with more of a barley wine quality to it.

DROOO

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:41:38 -0600

love this beer, but their double IPA and IPA are just as good if not better, and very difficult to find. seems like stores can't keep the double on their shelves for long. trying to get my local liquor store to get it since they recently upgraded their selection, but they don't seem to be listening.