Battle Roy-Ale.

Dogfishhead Burton Baton Oak-aged Imperial IPA

VS.

Great Divide Hercules Double IPA

No Hops Barred in this battle of superheavyweights. When I saw Dogfish Head Brewery's latest (okay, it has been around, I just haven't had it) uber-ale I knew that I must have it. Oak-aged and weighing in at 10% ABV, Burton's Baton is heavy-handed to say the least. I decided to pit its power against one of the reigning beasts of this particular varietal. Great Divide Brewing of Denver, CO has been known to amp up the intensity of its ales from time to time. Hercules Double IPA has stood tall through numerous tastings. Can it survive a standoff with an IPA on an oaky roid rage? I just got goosebumps.....brrrrrrrr.

I figured that the Dogfishhead offering would be bigger and stronger with more general intensity, so I started with the Hercules so as to not obliterate my palate prematurely. Of course, the Herc is no softie by any means. It pours a warm copper with highlights of orange and ruby. The head is present, at about 3/4 inch and it dissipates at a reasonable clip leaving a nice lace clinging to my oversized wine glass. First whiff reveals a fruity alcohol laden nose that co-stars with the citrus pine of the hop character. Caramel, ruby-red grapefruit, alcohol and a substantial hop-bittereness comprise the impression on the palate. It has decent balance, and is seriously quaffable, though the style is a little over the top for non hopheads.

Speaking of over the top...
The Burton's Baton is so far over the top, it could easily out arm-wrestle Sylvester Stallone. This stuff pours a deep mahogany with a tighter head that produces more lace than a doily factory. The nose is alcohol, apricot, citrus, caramelized sugar, and rich wood. This ale is indeed on some form of HgH (hop growth hormone) as well as a booster of sweet, sweet oak. The flavor profile is a touch cloying and the woody sweetness is a little overwhelming. It is a rich, rich ale. Oaky roid rage indeed.