Karl Strauss Brewing Company- To The 9’s: This Is How You Do It
Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 1:45PM | by Jason 
At it again. Knockin’ em’ down one at a time. This is a brew that has been sitting in the fridge since July/August. I’m not sure when Wes gave it to me but it was after he came back from his trip to San Diego. It’s been sitting in the refrigerator since and it’s about time I got around to it. This is not your average brew; this is a beer commemorating Karl Strauss Brewing Company’s 20th Anniversary. Now if you’re not familiar with the saying, “To The 9’s” refers to doing it up right, decked out, to the hilt. By every indication, that means that this craft brew is gonna be big huge and is going to push every boundary around. I feel even more special because Karl Strauss is only distributed in southern California and my fat ass is sitting here in the western burbs of Chicago. Lucky me is going to pour this big boy and enjoy.
Karl Strauss Brewing Company classifies this brew as an Imperial India Pale Ale (IIPA) and their website describes To The 9’s as, “…what a year it was. 20 years of beer was celebrated, a new bottling line came to life. In honor of ’09, we brewed a beer with English Extra-Pale malts and no less than 9 hop varieties to give it 99 IBUs, 9.9% ABV 9 SRM. This Imperial IPA has a woodsy, floral hoppiness with citrus undertones and a spicy, earthy aroma. Full in body and spirit, it’s the perfect beer to take leave of the old year in style and welcome the New Year dressed to the nines.”
To The 9’s pours a glowing golden orange color with a nice 1” cream colored head. The aroma is a glorious blend of hops and grapefruit with a malty sweetness in the background, pure heaven.
This is how you do it. What an amazingly masterful brew. To The 9’s is that exactly, a beer that pushed the limits and struts its stuff rightfully. To The 9’s has a sweet malty beginning that transitions to a wonderful hop flavor and finishes with a hop bite that is tempered and pleasant. What is interesting is that not only is this an anniversary beer but it was also the first ever holiday ale released and bottled by Karl Strauss Brewing Company in 2009. For a brew that boasts a 9.9% ABV, there is no hint of this brew being that strong as it is super smooth (this may be from the aging of this brew as it is a 2009 brew). First, I have to give mad props and thanks to Wes for hookin’ a brotha up. Second, I have to tip my hat and congratulate Karl Strauss on 21 years of brewing magic!
ABV: 9.9%
Consumed: New Belgium Globe Glass
Verdict: Buy A Case
