Baird Suruga Bay Imperial IPA is an imperial or double IPA from Baird Beer and weighs in at 8.5% ABV. Pretty strong stuff but in the Baird Taprooms it is served in a “smaller” larger glass than some of the other regular beers. During our interview with Bryan Baird and Chris Poel, it was noted that Baird Suruga Bay Imperial IPA is only be brewed when another beer is being fermented as some of the other beer is used to ensure a secondary fermentation.
Baird Suruga Bay Imperial IPA Aroma and Taste
We’ve drunk Baird Suruga Bay Imperial IPA so many times that we’ve lost count but it was the first time for us to try the bottled version of it. To be sure we were getting the same beer, we had to “test” a couple of pints first, both in Bashamichi Taproom and also Craft Beer Market Toranomon. Both draft and bottled poured out a deep hazy copper colour with a varying amount of frothy white head. Baird Suruga Bay Imperial IPA packs a punch in the aroma stakes, with citrus and hops coming through cleanly with a some caramel coming through too.
At 8.5%, the alcohol isn’t noticeable on Baird Suruga Bay Imperial IPA but the taste to it is big and bold. The hops and citrus come through nicely; however, we did spend some time trying to figure out if we could identify the beer used for secondary fermentation. I wonder if that is possible and how much it affects the taste? Then it hits. The dry, bitter twang that lets you know you’re drinking a double IPA.
Double IPAs really are hit and miss with some breweries overloading the hop content to make it as bitter as can be humanely possible, then adding some more to push it past the “barrier” of 100 IBUs. The fruity flourish to the finish lets your down gently but you’ve already reached for the next sip. Or gulp.
Baird Suruga Bay Imperial IPA One Line Review
If you like IPAs and haven’t tried Baird Suruga Bay Imperial IPA, then go do it! It’s potent so if you’re new to IPAs be warned.
Where to Buy Baird Suruga Bay Imperial IPA
Baird Suruga Bay Imperial IPA can be bought online at the following places:
- Baird Beer Online Store Yahoo・Rakuten
- Nakajimaya
- Chouzaemon
- Craftbeers
- Goodbeer
