In a craft brew world obsessed with bigger and badder (not necessarily better), it's always nice to get back to basics. It's strange to call an Imperial IPA ''basic'', but in this case it applies. Few breweries have the courage to tackle a single hop series of beers. It is the brew equivalent of standing stark naked in front of your peers. Single hop brews lay a brewery's skills out on the table for all to scrutinize. Flying Dog is one of these brave breweries. As one well known for aggressively delicious brews, it seemed only natural for them to pull back the curtain and show the brewing world that there is method behind their palate punishing arsenal. I recently had the pleasure of sampling their Chinook Single Hop Imperial IPA.

In the glass, this beer has a lovely honey golden coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has good retention. On the nose, a very strong pine resin aroma fills the air around the glass. It's coupled with a candied citrus note that adds a thick and syrupy vibe to the mix. It's a very aggressive introduction that is hop head happy making.

The flavor itself closely matches the aroma: strong pine resin resting on top of candied citrus. There is also a spicy character that adds a zesty quality to the flavor profile. The mouthfeel is mid-bodied, very crisp and somewhat dry. But surprisingly, the taste itself actually gives the impression of a syrupy sweet character. It's a very interesting disconnect for your senses, which makes the beer really fun to study. The Chinook hops themselves are very bold and aggressive with a needling nature. The finish is quite dry and exits with a lengthy, harsh, piney bitter aftertaste. I should also note that the beer looses some of its aggression as it warms, allowing the syrupy sweet background to emerge as a solid foundation. So definitely take your time with the session.

Overall, Flying Dog's Chinook Single Hop Imperial IPA is a deliciously aggressive brew. It's a total winner for hop heads, who will appreciate the intimate study of what the Chinook hops bring to the table. This also goes for any other seasoned drinker who would like to learn more about the Chinook hop variety. Not surprisingly, this brew is way too big for novices, who should probably avoid the palate punishment. I have greatly enjoyed sampling Flying Dog's Single Hop series of brews, which to date include the Centennial, El Dorado, and Simcoe varieties. Chinook adds a fourth thumbs up to the experience, so I happily await the next contender. Once again, I tip my drinking hat to the talented brewers at Flying Dog. Cheers!