Avery's Maharaja Imperial IPA

gmeyers · 03-31-2006, 08:10 PM

I just bought a bottle of Avery's Imperial India Pale Ale, called The Maharaja. Has anybody had this before? I have never heard of an Imperial IPA. The label says that the OG was 1.092 I hope that it lives up to my expectations.

**Baron von BeeGee** · 03-31-2006, 09:05 PM

I have had both the Rogue IIPA and the DFH90 (close enough). Like them both! Make a quick night of me, though.

gmeyers · 03-31-2006, 09:07 PM

Will it be hoppy or more on the malt side?

**Walker** · 03-31-2006, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmeyers

Will it be hoppy or more on the malt side?

it's probably big in both catagories, but (for the style) the hops should shine through.

-walker

**Baron von BeeGee** · 03-31-2006, 09:12 PM

What Walker said...they hop the crap out of them to stand up to the abv, and that requires a strong malty backbone to balance it out. I suck at describing flavors, and even in my own consciousness it's kind of a Homer-esque "mmm...good" or "blleahh...bad" when I try beer, wine, etc. When I was young I thought 'red', 'blue', and 'purple' were actual flavors, as opposed to cherry, blueberry, or grape. Too much Kool-aid, I guess.

El Pistolero · 03-31-2006, 09:33 PM

I haven't had the Majarajah yet, but Avery prides theirselves on their hoppiness, and their IPA is pretty hoppy, so I'd expect the rajah to be way over the top.

**LouT** · 10-14-2007, 06:41 PM

Anyone worked up or seen a clone of this Maharaja yet?

Beerrific · 10-14-2007, 07:41 PM

I need to try this beer. It is kind of tough to find here...avery has just started distributing here and I think I have seen it in one package store (in all of Atlanta!). But, I have been hesitant because I just haven't been too impressed by many IIPAs recently, most are way too sweet and hard for me to drink. I prefer the IIPAs that are all hops...IMO a lot of IIPAs are getting to close to overly hopped barleywines (like DFH 90).

ColoradoXJ13 · 10-14-2007, 08:13 PM

There are a couple other threads about Maharaja on this board for reviews. It is a spring/summer beer for them and they are out, local stores here in CO are out now too, some buddies of mine bought the last 1.5 cases from the last store that had it....you are probably SOL until the spring.

I don't really like it all that much, IMHO Avery uses a lot of noble hops, and it ends up with a very earthy hop flavor and aroma, I prefer more citrusy IPAs like Avery's normal IPA. They also had a new IPA at GABF called Gemini IPA which was pretty good, they said they are going to start packaging it soon.

http://www.ratebeer.com/Ratings/Beer/Beer-Ratings.asp?BeerID=79256

ohiobrewtus · 10-15-2007, 02:05 AM

I've had Maharaja and while I like it, I agree that it could be better with some different hops. A 22 of that stuff and you're in for a fairly short night.