Beer of the Week! 06/03/24

Lost Barrel Tangerine Imperial

Normally $15.99 / Now on Sale for $13.96
Imperial Ale with Tangerine

So, a lot of people call the Lost Barrel Tangerine Imperial an Imperial IPA. Our distributor calls it that. Untapp’d, Beer Advocate, and Rate Beer all list it as such — everyone … except for Lost Barrel. The acronym “IPA” is nowhere to be found on the beer’s label, and, in fact, their copy calls it, “An Imperial ale that was brewed with Centennial and Simcoe hops and conditioned on fresh tangerines for an intense citrus aroma.”

Maybe it’s a mis-print, maybe they’re being coy, maybe they’re being lazy with their terminology. However, taking that description at face value matches what we’re tasting better than what everyone else is telling us. Sure the Imperial Tangerine’s hop character is important. Lost Barrel clearly chose the citrus nature of the Centennial and Citra hops to balance out the juiciness of the fruit. However, we do not think this beer is (or was meant to be), at its core, a particularly hoppy ale.

This beer works beautifully being what it says it is — a smooth, juicy brew with just a touch of citrus on the finish.

We know, “What’s in a name?” Well, the Tangerine Imperial may be an example of how names can mean expectations placed and promises fulfilled.