In a fierce battle of the IPAs, North Brewing Co's Transmission IPA has been crowned IPA of the year at the Imbibe Live IPA Challenge.
Hosted by Cave Direct's Jonny Garrett, a crowd of tasters gathered at the Beer and Cider hub to determine the victor.
Forty IPAs were whittled down to five, as the crowd of beer lovers sampled Crate's Session IPA, Roosters 27/7, Butcombe Brewery's Gorum, Wimbledon Brewery's Quatermaine IPA and the victor, Transmission.
Coming in at a boozy 6.9% abv, the bigger, new American-style IPA has pine and citrus aromas, grapefruit and zesty citrus notes on the palate, a light body and a long, dry finish. Despite the high alcohol content, the beer remains balanced, with a slightly bitter hoppiness carrying you through.
In a close second place, the savoury, umami-flavours of Quatermine (6.2% abv), with its orange, marmalade aromas and malty crisp palate.
Third place was secured by Crate, with its tropical, grapefruit and citrus-packed Session IPA (3.6%), fourth by Rooster's mild and hoppy 24/7 and Butcombe Brewing's Gorum IPA (5%).
