Craft Beer Awards 2015: Imperial IPA

Imperial IPAAlso known as Double IPA, this amber ale is a dialled-up version of the IPA, higher in both alcohol (often around 10 percent) and bitterness. This style originated in the ’90s and is attributed to West Coast brewer Vinnie Cilurzo. Being bold in flavour, the Imperial IPA pairs well with equally intense foods such as grilled lamb and barbecued ribs.  GOLD:Scuttlebutt Brewing’s Hoptopia Imperial IPA(Washington)From Everett, Washington, an orange-amber Northwest Coast-style IPA with a passion for citrus SILVER:Central City Brewing’s Red Racer Imperial IPA(Surrey)An outlier, this delicious dry-hopped IPA brings all the grapefruit, tangerine, and mango BRONZE:Worthy Brewing’s Imperial IPA(Oregon)Another American entrant (Bend, Oregon) blends eight varieties for massive hop presence