Great Divide Hercules Double IPA

Tasting Notes

Hercules leads with a dense wave of resinous pine, grapefruit pith, and dried citrus on the nose, with a faint caramel malt backbone holding things together. On the palate, the bitterness is assertive and sustained — this isn't a hazy, fruit-forward double IPA but a West Coast-rooted bruiser built on hop resin and dank, earthy character. The body is medium-full, with enough malt sweetness to keep it from turning harsh. The finish is long, dry, and bitter, with the hop character lingering well after the swallow. At 10%, the alcohol integrates reasonably well but makes itself known.

About the Brewery

Great Divide is based in Denver, Colorado, and has been operating since 1994, making it one of the earlier craft players in what became a deeply competitive Colorado beer market. They're known for big, bold beers — Yeti Imperial Stout is probably their most recognized flagship — and they've consistently leaned into high-ABV, intensely flavored styles rather than chasing sessionable trends. Their taproom in Denver has been a consistent draw, and the brewery distributes widely across the U.S.

Food Pairings

Strong, aged cheddar works well here because the fat and sharpness of the cheese temper the beer's aggressive bitterness without getting lost. Spicy dishes — barbecue brisket with a peppery rub or Thai food with chili heat — benefit from the malt backbone absorbing some of the burn while the hops add their own edge. A charred burger with blue cheese is a natural match, the richness standing up to the resinous hop load. Avoid delicate foods; this beer will overwhelm lighter fish or salads.

Style Guide

American Double or Imperial IPA is essentially a West Coast IPA dialed up significantly in hop intensity, malt body, and alcohol, typically landing between 7.5% and 10%+ ABV. The style emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s as American craft brewers, particularly on the West Coast, began pushing hop-forward brewing to its logical extreme. It differs from a standard American IPA primarily in scale — more bitterness, more resin, more malt to support the structure — and from hazy or New England-style doubles in its emphasis on clarity, dryness, and hard bittering hops over soft, juicy aromatics.