Beer Review: CBC Cape of Good Hops Imperial IPA

Bremistress Rating

IMG_20141010_164715A couple of weeks ago, while researching Beer Safari, the topic of Cape Brewing Company came up in conversation. The brewer I was chatting to (who I believe referred to CBC’s brewhouse as ‘a beer geek’s wet dream‘) made a comment along the lines of “Ooh, the beers I would make if I had a system like that…I wouldn’t just be doing lagers and pilsners.”

Well, I think CBC has come out with the type of beer he had in mind. May I introduce CBC Cape of Good Hops Imperial IPA

In case you’re not sure, an Imperial IPA is essentially an IPA on steroids – more malt, more alcohol and although you can’t always tell, a shit-ton of hops.

Cape of Good Hops (goddamnit, I’ve been wanting to use that as an article name for ages) doesn’t have the full-on tropical-fruit-on-a-pine-forest-floor-type nose you might be used to with an IPA – imperials tend not to – but the hops are definitely there. I got some stone-fruit sweetness (peaches and apricots) on the first whiff, plus a touch of goosberry and – dare I say it (and I don’t mean this in a bad way) the merest hint of cat pee (a la sauvignon blanc, not your unemptied litter tray).

Despite the elevated alcohol (7.5%), I found it a much more easy-drinking IIPA than others I’ve had. The hops are well backed-up with a massive malt bill, but it’s still crisp and with a lingering, refreshing bitter finish. In short it’s a brilliantly made beer – one that you might well fantasise about brewing on CBC’s slick, shiny system…

Where: It’s currently available on tap and in bottles at the brewery, but keep an eye out for it soon at your local craft beer bar/speciality liquor store.

How much: R21 for a 330ml bottle at the brewery.

5 Comments

  1. Hennie

    Sounds absolutely IPAlisious! Will have to get my hands on a few…..

    Reply
  2. Brett Ross

    I have somebody bringing me some on Friday, I can’t wait! I am told it is R21 per bottle and R125 per 6 pack at the brewery. Money well spent I should think!

    Reply
    • Lucy Corne

      Thanks Brett – I’ll add the price in!

      Reply
  3. Wolfgang

    Dear Brewmistress,
    thank you for your review of my Imperial IPA. Always love your feed back. Since my German brewing background still persist I assume that my approach was more gentle than you expected. Looking forward to sample some Red Weiss at the Cape Town festival of beer with you guys. Cheers, or better PROST in my case…

    Reply
    • Lucy Corne

      Dear Brewmaster – what an honour to have you drop by the blog! 🙂

      Looking forward to sharing a beer at CTFoB. Any chance there will be any of the Oktoberfest left?? Truly wonderful beer!

      Reply

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