Tag: American Imperial IPA

Sixpoint Brewery Hi-Res Triple IPA

Sixpoint Brewing Hi-Res IPA in a Tulip Glass
Hi-Res Triple IPA in a Tulip

Light copper colored with a thick ivory head of fine white bubbles.  Visually this is pretty much identical to the Resin Double IPA.

It’s got a strong pine aroma with some mild floral hops backing it up.

Up front I’m picking up some mango and grapefruit and a little orange peel but the main attraction is the earthy, resinous pine that follows it.  Rounding it out, and balancing things nicely, are some biscuity malt flavors.

At 10.5% I was expecting a bit of an alcohol kick in the finish but it’s not there. It’s smooth and medium bodied with just a hint of a sticky finish.

This is another strong one that’s easy to drink so be wary where it takes you!

Between the two, this and the Resin, it’s a hard fought race.  I think the Hi-Res narrows it out but both are excellent options!

Other Specs

  • ABV: 10.5% (previous releases look a bit higher)
  • IBU: 115
  • SRM: 11
  • Availability Varies
  • Available in 4-packs of 12 oz slim cans.
  • Best By Date located on bottom of can and outside of box

Why that Glass?

For imperial IPAs I prefer to reach for a tulip glass.  It’s great for displaying the beer’s color and clarity and tall sticky head.  The tulip is also great for helping me pick out some of the more subtle aromas and flavors that these stronger beers have.

In a pint glass my palate would likely be overwhelmed too quickly. Despite this Imperial being so well balanced I’d miss those delicate citrus notes and get stuck on the pine and hops.

More About the Hi-Res Triple IPA

As I mentioned in my post on the Resin Double IPA, Sixpoint Brewery is fast becoming one of my safety breweries.  If I hit up a liquor store and can’t make up my mind I can just grab anything from Sixpoint and I know I’ll be happy.

Unlike the Resin, which is a regular offering, the Hi-Res falls under Sixpoint’s line of “cycliquids” – that is, beers that essentially come out when they come out. The Hi-Res appears to have had a few releases, it’s just not on a regular schedule.

If you’re in or around Worcester you can find this at Total Wine (as of 3/4/17) it’s worth checking out!

The Beer Goblet or Oversized Wine Glass

A Leffe Beer Goblet
The Leffe Beer Goblet

Similar to the chalice a beer goblet is a stemmed beer glass with a large bowl shaped top.  While the chalice is is a bit more stocky the goblet has a more refined look.  They tend to be a bit taller with thinner stems resembling large wine glasses.

Chalices also tend to be more bowl shaped while goblets are more rounded or balloon shaped.  In fact, you’ll find a lot of these listed as “Wine Balloons.”

The beer goblet (or oversized wine glass) can range from 8 to 22 ounces with larger glasses being on the more delicate side.  This is especially true when you’re subbing in a more modern oversized wine glass.

A lot of other sites will combine the chalice and the goblet for pairing purposes and that’s a fair approach.  We chose to separate them because there is definitely an aesthetic difference that’s worth noting.

Benefits of a Beer Goblet / Oversized Wine Glass

These glasses are similar to chalices and snifters in that they provide a wide bowl which showcases a beer’s color and clarity.  The bowl shape also traps more delicate aromatics in a concentrated space.

If you don’t have beer goblet you could easily sub in either a chalice, tulip or a snifter.  I’d recommend snifter for lower carbonation beers and either a chalice or a tulip for higher carbonation ones.

What Beer Goes with a Beer Goblet / Large Wine Glass?

While the glass is kind of a stand-in for other glasses I’d still recommend it for glasses with less active carbonation.  Sour ales, saisons, wild ales, farmhouse ales, barley wines, and wheatwines fit nicely with the glass.

Again, these are lower carbonation beers with more delicate or nuanced aromas that help with enhancing flavor.

Beyond that, it can be used as a substitute for a tulip or chalice when those glasses are unavailable.

Where can I buy Beer Goblets?

I have a few Leffe Beer goblets that I picked up as bar promotions but they also turn up at liquor stores that have more diverse beer selections.

Outside of that you’ll mostly be looking to grab a 22 ounce wine glass which can be found at box stores like Target and Home Goods and in the wine section of most liquor stores.