An "Imperial ESB" seems fairly redundant, as ESBs are usually already higher alcohol versions of English Bitter Ale. Aren't you heading towards barley wine territory if you make them stronger and richer?
EXACTLY!! Even an Imperial IPA is basically a Barleywine! OK, barleywine light, maybe. I don't buy into all the 'Imperial this and Imperial that' crap. With the exception of the original Imperial, Imperial Stout. If you make a bigger, maltier, hoppier ESB, won't that be an English barleywine!? How 'bout Imperial Pilsner? Kinda sorta sounds like it might be bordering on a Hellesbock. Just 'cause ya can throw more stuff into a beer and make it bigger, doesn't mean that it is a new category.
There's a difference between an ESB and an IPA. An ESB is all about the perfect marriage of hops and malts, which have to be in near perfect harmony to work. An IPA, on the other hand, is all about dominant hop flavors which steal the show from the malts. Moreover, an ESB is probably made using British hops while an IPA in the US will probably be made with American hops. ESBs are supposed to be served fresh, young, and yeasty. IPAs need a little bit of age to develop a rounded flavor.
If a brewer says that their beer is an imperial ESB, they're saying something about the finesse of their ESB as they incrased both malts and hops but maintained perfect harmony.
Brewers are free to call their beers whatever they want. Styles are merely historical conventions based upon what combinations taste good.
Imperial ESB vs. IPA
in Beer
Posted
There's a difference between an ESB and an IPA. An ESB is all about the perfect marriage of hops and malts, which have to be in near perfect harmony to work. An IPA, on the other hand, is all about dominant hop flavors which steal the show from the malts. Moreover, an ESB is probably made using British hops while an IPA in the US will probably be made with American hops. ESBs are supposed to be served fresh, young, and yeasty. IPAs need a little bit of age to develop a rounded flavor.
If a brewer says that their beer is an imperial ESB, they're saying something about the finesse of their ESB as they incrased both malts and hops but maintained perfect harmony.
Brewers are free to call their beers whatever they want. Styles are merely historical conventions based upon what combinations taste good.