A Good Kind of Imperialism

Matt Brewing Company: Saranac Imperial IPA

Specs:

• Price: $8.49 on sale ($8.99 if you didn't go to Harris Teeter when I did)
• ABV: 8.5%
• Ingredients: centennial and cascade hops (the good stuff that the peeps over at Sierra Nevada use a bunch)
• Process/ Techniques: 10 different malts and a variety of hops. A cornucopia of flavor. 

This was the best trip to my local Harris Teeter that I've had in a long time. Saranac is on most grocery shelves around the country, which makes sense since they have the sixth highest beer sales in volume of the craft breweries in the country. The best thing about a craft brewery getting distribution in high volume is that these guys, being in the industry for the love of the brew, will start distributing their special brews as soon as they can. Matt Brewing released the "High Peak Series" with an imperial IPA and an imperial stout, but when thinking brew for my buck, I gotta go with a beer that touts the 8.5% ABV and 85 IBU. Be forewarned: this is an IPA, but it is dark and malty. It almost looks like an amber ale, and it drinks like a full meal. http://www.saranac.com/page/pale-ale2