Nøgne Ø Toshi Double IPA

Toshi (19°P, 100 IBU, 8% abv ) - a double IPA brewed in collaboration with Toshi Ishii of Nagano's Yo-Ho Brewing. Since 100 is the resolution limit of the IBU scale, this was a wee bit daunting, even for a bitters fan such as I am. Tremendously lacy head - the picture shows it much reduced, in fact - and fairly cloudy. Nose was bright and hoppy, some greenness, pine and heather. On the palate, I was surprised by the malted character, smooth, with hints of chocolate, caramel, and buttercream, to go along with the citrusy hops - really, not all that bitter, not heavy either. Just well balanced. I'm not the biggest fan of IPAs and the ilk, but this was very pleasant indeed, with a long, minty/pine finish and aftertaste. Or maybe this wasn't very IPA-like?