Great Lakes Brewing Company Lake Erie Monster Imperial IPA

The Great Lakes Brewing Company is from Cleveland, Ohio.  This beer takes its name from the monster that roams the shallow depths of Lake Erie (apparently the lesser known cousin of the Loch Ness monster).

The beer is 9.1% ABV and pours a bright amber and copper in color.  There is a short head of creamy off-white foam that leaves sticky lacing of light to medium density down the glass.  The aroma is wonderfully hoppy, lots of tropical fruits and melon, orange marmalade and citrus juices, along with some pine sap and cedar wood.  The taste is a large hop fruity explosion, tamed by pine notes, over a solid malt base that lets the hops shine without launching into uncontrolled hop orbit.  There is some sweetness, but the finish is predominantly dry, with just the right amount of bitterness for the size of this beast.  There is a very pleasing aftertaste that is reminiscent of the flavors.  This is a top-notch "monster" of an imperial IPA and highly recommended.