I first discovered Viven Imperial IPA back in May 2011 when I visited Bruges for the first time, it was in a large spacious lounge style bar call De Republiek. This is what I had to say about it back then:
“De Republiek – Described as an American Diner meets Student Union, we had no idea what to expect when we made our way to De Repbliek. On entering it’s a large open plan room with small raised alcoved areas and a wooden floor, a large bar with details of cocktails, food and upcoming events dominate one side. This though was where I made my personal best beer discovery of the week (Westveleren aside), it was the Viven Imperial IPA… It’s a really outstanding beer, pouring a reddish amber colour with punch you in the face fruity American hops.
Now for a beer that I rate so highly you may be thinking that’s a pretty piss poor review and you’d be quite right, however this has to go in my top beers list so I plan to revisit again to revel in it’s full glory…”
So here we are almost six months down the line, probably a dozen or more bottles sunk and hopefully in a better place to comment on a truly outstanding imperial IPA.
Well here goes, it’s hazy reddish-orange in the glass with busy bubbling white head which lingers around the glass from the first sip to the last dregs.
The aroma, oh my goodness THE AROMA! Great big nose filling fruity aromas of Tomahawk and Simcoe hops, for a Belgian beer it’s very much in an American IPA style with tropical fruits aplenty. Lychee, mango, grapefruit tangerine all with a light strawberry undertone. This follows through on the taste, a real flavour bomb medley of citrus fruit, with hints of strawberry and lychee completing the 5 a day in a glass. A freshly cut fruit salad mouthful….
This beer is a real hop monster, but it also has a great mouthful of caramel malty balance, all of which hides it’s beefy 8% ABV dangerously well. A beer you just don’t want to end and definitely one of my favourite beer discoveries this year.
Available by mail-order from BeerMerchants or at least that’s where I get mine from, if you stock it and would like to be listed give me a shout.
Please sign the petition in support of #7POINT5 which unfairly targets high strength beers:
#7point5, what’s that all about?
Please sign the Government petition against unfair taxation on beers over 7.5% ABV, click HERE
Beersay 
I want one! but am a little daunted by the abv 😉
We’ve had this a few times and been impressed. We wouldn’t want all Belgian beer to end up like this — they’ve got plenty of style of their own! — but, if you want in-your-face hops, this’ll give them to you without being brash or harsh.
Ah, not tried any Viven yet – I’ll be putting that right on my next order!
Dave, I very nearly fell for that… 😉
Bailey, I agree completely, that said if Americans can do Belgian and do it well, we should expect big things in return. All good news 🙂
Leigh, get stuck in mate, I reckon it’s right up your street, let me know what you think
Cheers folks
Pingback: The Golden Pints Beer Awards 2011 | Beersay
Pingback: National Winter Ales Festival 2012 | Beersay
Introduced to the Viven by an excellent barman at t’brugs beertje in Brugges…..I asked for a big hit of hops and the Viven imperial did not dissappoint, WOWZER!!! Have since bought a fair few online, one of my top 5!
Hi Tom, it’s a great beer and sits very firmly in my top ten I’d say too. t’Brugs Beertje is a fabulous place, one of my all time top drinking establishments. We are off over there in two weeks and I really cannot wait. Popping to St Bernardus for a night, then two in Brussels, two in Bruges, wish my liver luck!
Cheers