Oskar Blue's G'Knight 4Pk

Oskar Blues G'Knight 4-Pack is a 2012 World Beer Cup Gold Medal-winning imperial red IPA brewed at 8.7% ABV. Straddling the line between imperial red ale and double IPA, this aggressive yet balanced brew from one of America's pioneering craft can breweries earns a 92 (Outstanding) rating on BeerAdvocate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.7%  |  IBUs: 60  |  Origin: Longmont, Colorado  |  Style: Imperial Red IPA  |  Brewery: Oskar Blues Brewery

Production & Heritage

Oskar Blues Brewery, founded in Lyons, Colorado, became the first craft brewery in the United States to can its beer when it put Dale's Pale Ale into aluminum in 2002. G'Knight is brewed in tribute to Gordon Knight, a Colorado craft beer pioneer and Vietnam veteran who lost his life fighting a wildfire near the brewery's Lyons hometown that same year. The beer is built on a complex foundation of six different malts — including a deliberate addition of chocolate malt for depth and balance — combined with three hop varieties before receiving a final dry-hopping exclusively with Amarillo hops. That layered malt bill paired with the Amarillo dry hop is what gives G'Knight its signature character: more malt backbone than a typical double IPA, more hop aggression than a standard red ale.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bright tangerine, orange, and tropical mango notes driven by those Amarillo hops. Beneath the fruit, a distinctive layer of cinnamon, graham cracker, and subtle peach emerges alongside a gentle lemon zest lift.

Taste: The entry is smooth and malt-forward with rich caramel and vanilla sweetness that quickly thickens into a syrupy, sticky mid-palate. Grapefruit and orange citrus hops push through the malt weight, joined by golden raisin and a pleasant roasted quality from the chocolate malt. The hop bitterness at 60 IBUs keeps everything in check, providing enough bite to cut through the malt density without overwhelming it.

Finish: A creamy, resinous pine bitterness takes hold on the finish, drying out the palate with dank, old-school hop character. The length is considerable — lingering sticky malt sweetness fades slowly into spicy, slightly floral hop notes that recall the beer's dual imperial red and double IPA personality.

How to Drink G'Knight

G'Knight is best served between 50–55°F in a tulip glass or snifter that concentrates its complex aromatics. Pouring slightly below room temperature allows the malt sweetness and hop layers to fully open up. For a beer float with serious depth, G'Knight's caramel malt backbone pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream. It also works well as the base for a hop-forward beer shandy, cut with fresh grapefruit juice to amplify its citrus character. A Michelada variation using G'Knight instead of lager brings surprising richness to the spiced tomato and lime framework.

Best For

• Hop lovers looking to explore beyond standard West Coast IPAs
• Pairing with a backyard barbecue featuring smoked meats and charred vegetables
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates malt complexity alongside big hops
• Cold-weather sessionable sipping when a lighter beer won't satisfy

Frequently Asked Questions

What does G'Knight taste like? G'Knight delivers thick, sticky caramel and vanilla malt sweetness balanced by grapefruit, pine, and tropical hop bitterness, with a roasted chocolate malt undertone that adds unexpected depth to its imperial red IPA profile.

How does G'Knight compare to Dale's Pale Ale? Dale's Pale Ale sits at 6.5% ABV with a more straightforward hop-forward pale ale profile, while G'Knight runs at 8.7% ABV with a significantly heavier malt bill of six malts and a more complex, sweeter body that places it firmly in imperial territory.

Is G'Knight good for sipping neat? G'Knight's 8.7% ABV and layered malt-to-hop complexity make it an excellent standalone sipper — the dense body and evolving flavor profile reward slow, deliberate drinking from a tulip glass.

Where is G'Knight made? G'Knight is brewed by Oskar Blues Brewery, which operates brewing facilities in Longmont, Colorado and Brevard, North Carolina, though the brand's roots trace back to Lyons, Colorado where the brewery originally began.

What foods pair well with G'Knight? Smoked brisket or pulled pork stands up to the beer's malt weight and hop bitterness. Aged cheddar or Gruyère mirrors the caramel sweetness while contrasting the hop resin. Dark chocolate brownies echo the chocolate malt notes. Spicy Thai curry finds balance against G'Knight's malt sweetness. Grilled burgers with caramelized onions complement both the roasted character and citrus hop bite.

What sizes does G'Knight come in? G'Knight is widely available in four-packs of 12 oz cans, the format Oskar Blues helped popularize in the American craft beer industry.

Is G'Knight worth the price? G'Knight positions as a premium craft offering within the imperial IPA and strong ale category, and its 2012 World Beer Cup Gold Medal, 92-point BeerAdvocate score, and complex six-malt recipe justify its placement above everyday IPAs in both quality and price tier.

Why G'Knight?

G'Knight occupies a genuinely rare space in the American craft beer landscape — a true hybrid that refuses to settle into either the imperial red ale or double IPA category. The six-malt bill anchored by chocolate malt creates a malt depth most double IPAs never attempt, while the Amarillo dry hop delivers citrus and tropical aromatics that most red ales can't match. Its 2012 World Beer Cup Gold Medal validated what dedicated drinkers already knew: this is one of the more complete and rewarding strong ales in American craft brewing. The tribute to Gordon Knight gives it a meaningful origin story, but the liquid in the can is what earns repeat purchases — dense, complex, bitter, and unapologetically big.