No Half Measures: Greene King’s Imperial IPA Is In The Spotlight

Greene King Imperial IPA Review

A heritage-led IPA that leans into malt, balance, and easy enjoyment.

500ml bottle. 6 percent ABV.

Disclaimer up front. I really do like Greene King beers. I’ve always enjoyed their rich, malty character, and that preference definitely shapes how I approach something like this.

Greene King recently launched their Imperial IPA as part of a broader move to celebrate their brewing heritage while also appealing to more modern drinkers. This beer draws inspiration from nineteenth-century English IPA recipes found in the brewery’s archives, reflecting the stronger IPAs originally brewed for export to British troops and officials stationed in India.

Alongside beers like Double Header, this Imperial IPA signals a deliberate shift towards slightly higher-strength, more flavour-forward styles, aimed at drinkers who want something beyond the core range.

There’s clearly growing interest in more robust, characterful beers, and this feels like Greene King’s way of tapping into that without abandoning what they do best.

That said, I’ll raise one small eyebrow straight away. At 6 percent ABV, calling this an Imperial IPA is a stretch by modern definitions. Personally, I’d expect that term to start closer to 7.5 percent. Still, context matters.

 

A quick word on strength and history

While 6 percent might feel modest today, it does actually line up with the stronger India Pale Ales brewed in the early nineteenth century for export. In that sense, Greene King aren’t completely playing fast and loose with the terminology.

This feels less like a modern West Coast-style Imperial IPA and more like an English IPA turned up a notch, which, to be fair, is exactly what it’s trying to be.

 

The bottle and presentation

Once again, this comes in a clear glass bottle, which always raises a few eyebrows. That said, after years of drinking beers packaged this way, I can honestly say I’ve had very few genuinely lightstruck examples.

If I had to guess, I’d say the hop selection plays a part here. Lower alpha acid hops are less prone to creating skunky flavours, which likely makes this packaging choice less risky than it might seem.

The label itself is dark and understated. It’s not flashy, but it fits neatly with the rest of the Greene King range and keeps things consistent. The neck proudly proclaims “Rich and Full-Bodied”, which, to be fair, could describe more than a few Greene King beers.

 

Aroma

On the pour, the aroma is immediately inviting. Sweet toffee from the malts comes through first, followed by gentle earthiness and a soft fruity note.

It smells reassuringly traditional, suggesting a solid malt bill at the heart of the beer, but there’s also a hint that modern, fruit-forward hops are playing a supporting role. It’s a mouthwatering aroma, and one that sets expectations nicely.

 

Flavour

The toffee sweetness you pick up on the nose carries straight through into the flavour. It’s rich, rounded, and very much the star of the show.

Alongside that malt character are fruity esters that add complexity rather than distraction. I picked up a noticeable touch of lemon, which brings a bright, citrus edge and lifts the beer just enough to stop it feeling heavy.

The bitterness is mild and zesty rather than assertive. It balances the sweetness without ever trying to dominate, which keeps the whole thing very approachable.

The texture is smooth and genuinely full-bodied, creating a satisfying, almost comforting mouthfeel. Despite the richness, it drinks remarkably easily, and that’s perhaps its biggest strength. This is a beer that quietly empties the glass faster than you expect.

 

Overall impression

For a slightly stronger English IPA, this is another solid effort from Greene King. It’s well balanced, flavoursome, and very easy to drink, which is exactly what many people will be looking for.

I paid £2.50 for this bottle, and Morrisons were running a three-for-six-pounds deal at the time. At that price, it feels like excellent value, especially given the depth of flavour on offer.

It’s not an Imperial IPA in the modern, hop-heavy sense, but judged on its own terms, it does exactly what it sets out to do.

 

Rating

This is a really tasty beer, and for the money, it represents very good value. It’s definitely one I’ll be keeping in my ale house for easy, satisfying drinking.

Score: 9.5 out of 10.

If you want to learn more about Greene King and their brewing heritage, you can explore their breweries via the link below, or take a look at more of my beer reviews across the site.