Big Wood Bad Axe Review

Name: Big Wood Bad Axe
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 10%

If I had to give a brewery an award for the most "Snicker-Inducing" name, I would award it to Big Wood Brewery. If you really have to think about why that is, then you're probably not old enough to read this blog.

Then again, it should come as no surprise that one of their beers is named "Morning Wood" but that's a totally different review. Tonight I have their Bad Axe Imperial IPA, which is a stronger interpretation of their Jack Savage IPA. Also taking a cue from another Minnesota brewery, Surly Brewing, their beer comes in four packs of 16oz cans.

Bad Axe pours a hazy orange color with a foamy-looking 2 finger head and solid lacing retention.

The aroma has a nice citrusy and caramel scent to it. To back that up are notes of grapefruits, toffee and malts.

Citrus and floral hops sit at the forefront of the flavor with grapefruit & caramel malt undertones and a resiny aftertaste. For an Imperial IPA sitting at 10% ABV, the flavor is more subtle than expected but thankfully has no booziness.

The palate has a light body and some mild carbonation. Overall it's pretty smooth.

Bad Axe has a very subtle flavor for an Imperial IPA, which can sneak up on you if you're not careful. Still it's not a bad beer and I'd still say it's worth checking out.

Big Wood Bad Axe - 8.25/10