Oskar Blues Brewery- Gubna Imperial IPA: A Tribute To Craft Beer & Dale Lewis

Wednesday September 8th – I’m sitting here anxious and as wound as I have ever been.  In addition, I am as excited as I have ever been as well.  Why you may ask?  The things that have transpired over the last week have been amazing.  First I have to pay homage and respect to Mr. Dale Lewis for a few things.  Little did I know that when I crossed the threshold of Finnegan’s Irish Pub in Plainfield, IL back in March that it would greatly influence my journey into Craft Beer?  Dale has been a great influence as he is someone that has great knowledge of the industry as well as strong opinions and connections.  He has blessed me with brews that I never thought I would get a change to enjoy.  One of which being Oskar Blues Brewery’s Gubna Imperial IPA.  The icing on the cake took place this past Monday.  He had a couple of extra tickets to GABF and asked if I would like to go with him and Master Steve.  Knowing that there would be no chance in hell of me going, I told him that he and Steve would have to work on my amazingly wonderful and beautiful wife to convince her that I should.  Low and behold, their magic worked.  I am actually getting to live out a lifelong dream of attending The Great American Beer Festival and what’s even better is that I get to enjoy that experience with Dale and Master Steve.  I bow to his greatness and appreciate his friendship.  This review is in honor of the man himself and the brew to which he bestowed upon me.  Gubna is poured and ready.

Oskar Blues Brewery classifies this brew as an Imperial India Pale Ale (IIPA) and their website describes Gubna Imperial IPA as, “Emphasizing that complexity of character can arise from simple elements, this ale is made with 3 malts and 1 hop. Its light amber color and slightly spicy malt character are derived from the use of German Dark Munich Malt and Rye Malt respectively. North American 2-row barley combines with the other grains to lay the foundation for the hop onslaught to come. Summit hops are used exclusively in the boil for bitterness, flavor and aroma but it doesn’t end there. Post-fermentation dry hopping allows the 10% ABV monstrosity to gently coax the citrus rind and grapefruit aroma to join the 100 IBUs already present. This beer will greet you with a pungent citrus blast, provide a spicy yet round middle and finish with a brisk, clean bitterness.”

Gubna Imperial IPA pours a luscious sunset golden color with a 1” light cream colored head.  The aroma is huge and casts scents of floral & citrus hops that fill the room.

My first reaction is to just sit here and enjoy the aroma for as long as possible.  It is pure heaven.  This is another brewed beast that is of the canned variety and jumps out at you with its shiny brushed aluminum and dark maroon casing waiting to slay your taste buds.  Have I mention that I love cans?  The flavor is pure nirvana.  This is nothing more than paraphrasing what is stated on the website but I have yet to find as accurate a description as Oskar Blues provides, Gubna is balanced with a citrusy bite that is gritty and earthy but has some malty sweetness to it.  The rest of the description I’ll leave to Oskar Blues as they got the description nailed.  What they don’t mention is that this is the equivalent of liquid crack for Hopheads.  Gubna boasts 100 IBUs of mouth smashing bitterness which is right up my alley.  The only downside is that Oskar Blues does not distribute to Illinois and the depression is starting to set in.  Thankfully, due to the magic of one Dale Lewis, I’ll be in Colorado in a week and enjoying not only a Gubna but a vast array of amazing Craft Beers.  I raise my glass and toast to Oskar Blues for a smashing brew and to Dale Lewis for being such a pimp.

ABV: 10%

Consumed: New Belgium Globe Glass

Verdict: Buy A Case