Mikkeller/BrewDog Ltd- I Hardcore You: Why Yes, I do Hardcore You

In a non-typical move today I decided to swing by our local beverage depot just to see what’s new out there.  This really wasn’t a smart move on my part seeing that my basement is stocked full of beers yet to be consumed and reviewed, not to mention so is the fridge.  I was looking for that “it” beer to just jump out at me and make me buy it and take it home.  I didn’t have much hope after slowly walking the isles but then this very odd colored (not a typical beer label color) and simplistically designed label jumped out at me.  I gazed upon it with a look of confusion as I grabbed for a 12 ounce bottle.  Instantly my eyes lit up as I realize that I have a Mikkeller/BrewDog I Hardcore You Imperial IPA.  There was no doubt, this was the “it” beer I was hunting for.  Sorry Pam, I’m taking a brief pause from the variety and going all the way with this one.  I Hardcore You is poured and ready…

I took to the BrewDog blog to gather some information about the story behind this brew and this is what I found, “Question: What do you get if you blend Hardcore IPA and I Beat You together and then add even more dry hops?

Answer: I Hardcore You. Introducing a new type of collaboration. Coming Soon from Mikkeller www.mikkeller.dk and BrewDog. Oh and a completely new type of collaboration too!

I Hardcore You is a 9.5% Imperial India Pale Ale, an international collaborative effort between 2 of Europe's most rock 'n roll brewers. This beer is a blend of BrewDog’s Hardcore IPA and Mikkeller’s I Beat You (2 of my favourite beers). After the blending, the beer was then dry hopped a further twice. Making I Hardcore You a beer which has been dry hopped four times, or maybe even six times. We kinda lost count.  As far as we are aware this is the first collaboration of this type anywhere in the world. The first time a collaboration beer has been made by blending beers from the respective brewers together.  This is a one off brew with a small amount available for a limited time only.”

I Hardcore You pours a caramel brown color with a 1” tan head.  The aroma is off the chart huge, you get hit with a huge grapefruit and pineapple scent as it wafts from the glass.  There is also a slight caramel malt aroma that is sugary sweet that adds to the depth of the aroma.

I really wish I had a Mikkeller I Beat You and a BrewDog Hardcore IPA so that I had something to base the flavor off of.  It would be interesting to know how these brews stand on their own before I tell you how they work together…but that ain’t stopping me.  This is a rock solid Imperial IPA.  The flavor is straight up “hoppy” with bursts of grapefruit throughout; there is a small sweet caramel malt hint as well as a slight warming as it leaves the back of the tongue.  This is a Craft Beer with a hardcore bite, I only wish I knew what IBUs I Hardcore You reached.  The more I drink it, the more I love it.  What amazes me is that for a 9.5% ABV brew, you get little to no sense that this brew is as big as it is.  Last, what I am digging about I Hardcore You is that this may be the first collaboration of it’s kind anywhere where two breweries blend two existing brews into one and that kicks ass in my book.  If you’re looking for a great Craft Beer drinking experience, I recommend getting this brew.  It is available for a limited time only, so you better hurry!

ABV: 9.5%

Consumed: New Belgium Globe Glass

Verdict: Buy A Case