471 Small Batch, Breckenridge Brewery, Denver

Style: Imperial IPA

ABV: 9.2 percent

Serving Type: 12-ounce bottle

Malty? Hoppy? It’s obvious: hoppy.

Reviewed: September 2012

This brew is the Clark Kent of beers. Mild-mannered cameraman by day; super-hero by night.

No, I’m not kidding. Breck’s 471 pours a pale, fall-ish amber color. It’s a tad cloudy with just a hint of the four hops (Chinook, Centennial, Simcoe, and Fuggles) packed inside. By appearances, it would be easy to mistake this as a simple IPA. You’d be wrong.

This brew is utterly drinkable, but a strong balance of malts masks the high alcohol content. That’s the problem. The malts disguise the alcohol and trick you into thinking this is a session beer. It’s not, but that equilibrium—especially for a double IPA—is the brew’s superhero power. Don’t let it be your kryptonite.

Would we buy it again? Yes, with a caveat: Buy this to drink at home. 

Follow senior editor Natasha Gardner on Twitter at @natashajgardner or on Pinterest.