Having dug myself out from this first miniature snow storm of the season, I ventured forth to take care of all the obligatory duties that should be performed on one’s day off. I figured some holiday shopping was in order before I got to laundry and house cleaning but those things would all have to wait. Somehow I was aiming for the Exton Square Mall, but I found myself in the parking lot of Exton’s Pour House. Who hasn’t experienced such a phenomenon!? The fuel of a liquid lunch would be required to brave the holiday crowds on this gray day.
I parked myself at the bar, bypassed a food menu filled with tasty burgers, excellent salads and more, and headed straight for the 30 tap list of draught options. It didn’t take long to settle on Firestone Walker’s Double Jack Imperial IPA. Bartender Ashley poured a glorious pint of this golden hued nectar that was almost too beautiful to drink…almost.
Grapefruity hops accented with light pine and spice created an aroma that virtually guaranteed the excellent flavor that was to follow. I took just a small sip as if dipping my toes into a pool to test the water. Perfection! I dove right in and basked in the excellent flavors of pine, light herbal hops and spicy grapefruit that packed just the right amount of earthy and resinous bitterness to remind you that this was an elite Imperial IPA.
Pour House Bar Manager Jeff Cerra agreed as he explained his enjoyment of this very same brew, “I love this beer. It is about as perfect an Imperial IPA as I could ask for and I’m getting my fill before I switch over to the winter and Christmas ales.”
Not for the faint of heart, Double Jack packs a serious punch with its 9.5% ABV. I am partial to a liquid lunch but I made sure to order a meal before heading out into the world to tackle my afternoon. Now I’m no food expert, but the beer can chicken salad at The Pour House…just, whoa! An awesome feast if ever a salad was. The Firestone Walker Double Jack won’t last long (I’m going to drink it all!). Visit Ashley and Jeff today for a taste of hoppy excellence.
Find the Pour House at 116 N. Pottstown Pike in Exton. Follow more of Kerry Watson’s beer pursuits and reviews at In My Exbeerience.
