craft double ipa

New Beer Blog Ballast Point Manta Ray Double IPA


In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Ballast Point.  It is their Double IPA, which is called Manta Ray.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know the history of this California base craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to Ballast Point Brewery.  Let us get into this Double IPA.

It has a clear golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a tropical fruit to slight grapefruit notes. The taste has a nice juicy grapefruit to slight tropical notes with a dry bitter hop finish. It is almost like grapefruit notes. It is kind of drinkable for the beer style.

Here is a description from the website (www.ballastpoint.com):

This new IPA rises above the rest.
We’ve developed many IPA recipes in our R&D program, but right from the tank, our Manta Ray Double IPA was a winner. Aromas of fresh, citrusy tangerine, melon and light pine leap from the beer and linger over a smooth finish. Like its namesake, this brew can sneak up on you – a big beer without a bite.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.ballastpoint.com

Twitter:  @bpbrewing

Closing, I am not a huge fan of Ballast Point.  They make great beer but the price is too high.  I will try all the new beers that hit my market.  I love trying beers that I never had it.  I saw this beer and it was a no brainier.  The tasting notes are just what I have been looking for from this craft brewery.  They hit a home run.  I love it. I will be picking up some more.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Pipeworks Ninja Vs Unicorn Double IPA


In this beer blog, we are going to feature a beer from Pipeworks Brewery.  It is their flagship  beer, which is Ninja Vs. Unicorn Double IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this small and upcoming Chicago base craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Midwest craft brewery.  Let us get into this double IPA.

It has a slight cloudy golden color with a white constant head. The aroma has a heavy grapefruit notes. The taste has a nice grapefruit to citrus notes with a dry hop bitter aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable for a Double IPA.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Ninja Vs. Unicorn celebrates the epic battle two of the biggest hop-heads of lore.  Brewed with over five pounds of hops per barrel, this unfiltered double IPA is sure to please the most discerning hop lover.  Whether you’re rooting for the mythical horned horse or the deadly assassin of the east, we hope you’ll enjoy Ninja Vs. Unicorn.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.pipeworksbrewing.net

Twitter:  @PipeworksBrewin

Ending, this is a great beer.  I love the hops they use in this beer.  It is pretty well-balanced for being a double India Pale Ale.  There is a nice malty backbone but I kind feel it should be stronger.  I can live with it.  I have to say for a beer that is in 22oz bottle.  It is well worth the price.  I have always felt beers in 22oz bottles are not worth the price.  To me, this one lives up to the price.  I recommend you trying this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram: @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Petoskey Brewing Hopsessed Double IPA


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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a special release from Petoskey Brewing.  It is their Hopsessed Double IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Michigan base craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Midwest craft brewery.  Let us get into this double IPA.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head. The aroma has a citrus with hints of passion fruit notes. The taste has a citrus notes with a passion fruit and dry hop bitter aftertaste.  It is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from their website (www.petoskeybrewing.com):

Hold on to your taste buds & make sure you have a designated driver! This mouth-exploding double I.P.A. starts with the unique citrus aroma provided by a 100% Simcoe dry hop. The high bitterness is slightly toned down by the caramel sweetness imparted by the large quantities of malted barley needed to achieve such a high ABV. (Limited time only!)
9.1% ABV, 119 IBU

Here is a their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.petoskeybrewing.com

Twitter:  @petoskeybrewing

Closing, this is by far my favorite double IPA.  I love the malty backbone and how the hops blend in with it.  They did a great job on balance.  It might come across as 119 IBU but it does not drink like that.  It is still a sipping beer but drinkable in that beer style.  I love it.  This is so much better than Bell’s Hopslam.  I believe people try this beer.  They will realize that statement.  I highly highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Sweetwater Brewery Hop Hash Double IPA


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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a special release beer from Sweetwater Brewery.  It is their Hop Hash Double IPA.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Southern craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Georgia base craft brewery.  Let us get into this Double IPA.

It has a clear golden color with a white constant head. There is a lot of carbonation in this beer. The aroma has a heavy juicy citrus notes. The taste of this double IPA has a front forward citrus notes. It has a bitter hop aftertaste. It is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from their website (www.sweetwaterbrew.com):

We scraped all the hash out of the Yakima hop pelletizers we could get our sticky fingers on to concoct the dankest double IPA out there. The pure hop lupulin, aka “hash” (the resiny stuff), meshes seamlessly with the 2-row, pilsner and wheat malts, allowing it to deliver a pungent punch to the palate.

Specs: Available year round in 6-packs of 12 oz bottles, 1/2 bbl kegs and 1/6 torpedo kegs.
Malt bill: 2-row, Pilsner, Wheat
Hops: Centennial and hash “blend”
Yeast: House
ABV: 7.8% IBUs:100

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sweetwaterbrew.com

Twitter:  @sweetwaterbrew

In the end, all my readers and friends know that I am a huge fan of this craft brewery.  I have been wanting to try this beer.  I was happy to see it in the sampler pack.  I enjoyed drinking all their beers so it was a no brainer.  It is pretty balance for a Double IPA with a ton of juicy hop notes.  I like it and I want more. This is a great Double IPA.  I will head to Ohio looking for six pack bottles.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Dark Horse Brewing Double Crooked Tree India Pale Ale


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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a special release from Dark Horse Brewery.  It is their Double Crooked Tree IPA. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Michigan craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know Dark Horse.  Let us get into this Double IPA.

It has a cloudy copper color with a constant white head on this double IPA. The aroma has a heavy citrus notes. The taste has a heavy citrus notes with extremely heavy bitter finish for the aftertaste. This is a nice sipping brew.

Here is a description from their website (www.darkhorsebrewery.com):

DOUBLE CROOKED TREE IPA

Have you read the description for the regular Crooked Tree yet? Well this beer is almost the same just double the flavor and alcohol. We actually took the Crooked Tree recipe and doubled all of the ingredients except the water, just the way a DOUBLE should be made. Big hops balanced with tons of malt give this beer a huge body. Although this beer is as cool as “The Fonz” when first purchased, it gets really mellow and smooth with some age. After a year or two stored in a cool dark place you’ll notice the heavy caramel and malt flavors are trying to sneak past the hops. This beer is hugely delicious so it will need your undivided attention (the chores can wait….trust us).

ABV:
12%

Availability:
February (Limited)

Package:
1/2 Barrels / 1/6 Barrels / 4-Pack of Good ol’ Bottles

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.darkhorsebrewery.com

Twitter:  @darkhorsebrewco

Ending, I have always been a fan of IPA’s and Double or Imperial IPA.  It was a no brainer to pick up a bottle of Dark Horse Brewery Double Crooked Tree IPA.  This is a pretty heavy beer and they did it right.  You will not be doing anything else the rest of the day after drinking this beer.  I love it. I will try to get more but since it is pretty limited, it will be hard to find more bottles.  I highly recommend this beer.  They did a great job on this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Alaskan Brewery Hop Thermia Double IPA


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In this beer blog, we are going to get into Hop Thermia Double IPA from Alaskan Brewery.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Northwest craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery.  Let us get into this beer.

It has a clear copper color with a semi white head.  The smell has slight citrus notes.  The taste has a citrus notes with a citrus hop bitter finish for the aftertaste.  It is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from their website (www.alaskanbeer.com):

Style:

This American Double India Pale Ale, or IPA, is as big and bold as the mythical lone brewer himself. Legend has it that he first came up with this beer, with the help of his woodland friends, to fight against the long frigid winter nights endured by all of the pioneers of the Last Frontier.

Flavor Profile:

Hopothermia is a full-flavored representation of the Double IPA style with a robust malt body resting in easy harmony, like a massive grizzly bear in winter, with the big and drinkable American hop character.

History:

Much of the history of Hopothermia is lost to the mists of time. We know that the windswept lone brewer dreamt of a Double IPA so bold and packed full of hop flavor that it could keep the wild wolves from the door of his remote cabin. We know he was able to converse with the creatures of the woods – except for the bears who slept through the cold winter, and the mink, who were just really super rude. And we know he skillfully crafted a beer that became the stuff of legend.

There are strange brews made where glaciers cascade
By the brewers who know no bounds.
For they stuff in the hops ’til the temperature drops
And then call for a few more rounds.
In Alaska, it seems, every brewer dreams
of a bold Double IPA.
Hopothermia’s the beer, in the Last Frontier
That will keep the wild wolves at bay.

Story Behind The Label:

The legend of Hopothermia begins as any Alaskan tale should, on a frozen landscape with wolves howling and a vast dark moonless sky of swirling Northern Lights above. It was on that long-ago night that a lone brewer stood against the harsh winds with only his beard to protect him, and dreamt of a beer so full of hop flavor, so jam packed with the spirit of frontier Alaska, it could freeze your very soul and one of your thumbs.  All that winter, as moose, wolverines, and one beaver peered through his remote cabin window, he feverishly labored to make a beer that could face down the harsh elements – that could conquer not only thirst – but fear itself.  After the thaw, the lone brewer had vanished, leaving behind only a few recipes scrawled on scraps of paper, a sock puppet, and a hand-whittled keg. In that keg he left his legacy – Hopothermia.  Respect this beer. Wear layers. Lots of wool. Mittens? Open a bottle and then, sshh . . . Listen for the windswept cry of a lone wolf.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.alaskanbeer.com

Twitter:  @alaskanbeer

Closing, I know you know that I am a huge fan of this brewery.  I loved this brewery before they came to the State Of Michigan.  I was always excited when my friend Dean would bring some bottles back from the West Coast.  When they finally made it to Michigan, I have been going crazy finding out what is being released in the state.  There were several beers that are here that I never had.  I was excited to get them out-of-the-way.  This Double IPA was one of them.  I love the name and the packaging.  I love how it is a nice sipping beer.  There is some complex flavor going on in this beer.  I love it.  It has a nice color and aroma.  This is a great beer.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Sierra Nevada Beer Camp West Coast Double IPA


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In this beer blog, we are going to get into West Coast Double IPA from Sierra Nevada Brewery.  This is a beer they made to kick off Beer Camp.  If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know history of Sierra Nevada Brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this West Coast Craft Brewery.  Let us get into this Double IPA.

It has a clear slightly dark golden color with a white constant head.  The aroma is citrus to orange notes.  The taste has a nice light carbonation citrus notes with a dry hop bitter aftertaste.  It is pretty drinkable for a Double IPA.

Here is a description from website (www.sierranevada.com):

Heading to most states in limited quantities, the Beer Camp Across America West Coast Double IPA clocks in at 8.5% ABV and features five hop varieties, two of which went into Sierra Nevada’s “Hop Torpedo” dry-hopping device and impart hints of grapefruit and a floral note that recalls orange blossom. A light malt body and dry finish complement the bold hop profile.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.sierranevada.com

Twitter:  @sierranevada

In the end, this was a great beer and it is a perfect beer to kick off beer camp.  I was pretty happy to get a Beer Camp 12pk.  I wish they would have made more because some of the liquor stores are over charging.  I am still happy that I have at least one.  I am pretty big fan of their Extra IPA.  They took that one and they hop it up.  I love the aroma to the color of the beer.  I love the packaging.  I love the hops and the malt backbone is a perfect match.  I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it! Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Destihl Brewery Hoperation Overload Double IPA


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In this beer blog, we are going to sample Hoperation Overload Double IPA from Destihl Brewery. Matt Potts switch careers from Lawyer to a brewmaster and CEO of Destihl Brewery in 2007.  They brew several different beer styles and they package most of their beers in cans.  Asides that, there is not much history from this young craft brewery.  Let us get into this Double IPA.

It has a dark copper color with a semi constant white head.  The aroma has a citrus to some floral notes.  The taste has some citrus to a slight caramel to sweet malty notes.  The aftertaste has a sweet caramel finish.  It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer can:

Hoperation Overload

Our mission for this Imperial or “Double” India Pale Ale is overload the beer with hops for an intense hop bitterness, flavor and aroma while still being balanced by a big malt profile, resulting in a hoppy beer with more dimension.  This beer is light copper in color with some hop haze from overloading with dry hops as well.  Cheers!

Here is a description from their website (www.destihlbrewery.com):

Imperial India Pale Ale / overloaded with hops

ABV: 9.6% IBU: 85 Color SRM: 11 First Brewed: 06-19-09

Our mission for this Imperial or ‘Double’ India Pale Ale is to overload the beer with hops for an intense hop bitterness, flavor and aroma while still being balanced by a big malt profile, resulting in a hoppy beer with more dimension. This beer is light copper in color with some hop haze from overloading with dry hops as well. World Beer Championships Award: Bronze Medal 2011

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.destihlbrewery.com

Twitter:  @DESTIHLBrewery

In the end, I am a hardcore hophead.  I love my hops and I love every level of IPA’s.  Yes, I have grown to love White IPA’s.  There are some unique ones out there that I fall in love with.  However, we are talking about this Double IPA, I have to say I love it.  I love the fact it is package in cans and I love design of the label.  I love the play on words and I believe they are honoring those who serviced.  I love the finish of this beer.  For being Imperial IPA, it is pretty drinkable and that is a plus for us hopheads.  It is drinkable to the experience IPA drinkers.  I am not saying the guy that drinks wheat ales is going to say this is drinkable.  It is a sipping beer to him.  I recommend you trying this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Victory Brewery Dirt Wolf Double IPA


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In this beer blog, we are going to get into Dirt Wolf Double IPA from Victory Brewery.  This is the first review of a beer from Victory Brewery.  This is the first time Victory Brewery has appeared on this blog.  I have had a few of their beers and I do not know why I have never blogged about them.  Victory Brewery is from Downingtown, Pennsylvania and was founded in 1996.  Victory’s beers are sold in thirty-four states.  They brew several different beers.  Let us get into this Double IPA.

This Double IPA has a cloudy cooper color with a constant white head.  The aroma has a grapefruit to citrus notes.  The taste has a light carbonated citrus to grapefruit notes with a dry hop bitter aftertaste.  It is a nice sipping beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Darky heroic, Humulus Lupulus (hops) have empowered brews with bite and character since the 11th century.  DirtWolf is a tribute to these untamed vines which rise from the earth with the voracity of a ‘wolf among sheep.’  Hops ave made an assertive comeback in American craft brewing.  Revel in the best US varieties of hops, in their natural, whole flower form, as they bring a vital, pungent reality to the soul of a wild element in our dangerously satisfying DirtWolf.  Cheers, Bill Ron Brewmaster of Victory

Here is a description from their website (www.victorybeer.com):

Darkly heroic, Humulus Lupulus (hops) have empowered brews with bite and character since the 11th century. DirtWolf is a tribute to these untamed vines which rise from the earth with the voracity of a “wolf among sheep.” Hops have made an assertive comeback in American craft brewing. Revel in the best U.S. varieties of hops, in their natural, whole flower form, as they bring a vital, pungent reality to the soul of a wild element in our dangerously satisfying DirtWolf Double IPA.

Composition

Malt: Imported two-row malts

Hops: Whole flower Citra, Chinook, Simcoe and Mosaic hops

ABV: 8.7%

Flavor

This dangerously delicious recipe features often subtle, but sometimes assertive signatures of American hop varieties. Look for: Citra: heavy citrus aroma, fruity flavor; Chinook: grapefruit, resinous pine; Simcoe: dry, piney; and Mosaic: earthy and mildly floral, with notes of sweet citrus and spice.

Food Pairings

Burgers, BBQ and hard cheeses

Availability

Available year-round in 12oz. bottles and on draft.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.victorybeer.com

Twitter:  @victorybeer

Closing, here is a double IPA that I was not expecting to have some things going on in it.  I love the hop character in this brew.  I love the citrus to grapefruit notes that are kicking off in this brew.  It is a nice relaxing sipping beer.  The brewmaster build a strong malty backbone to cut through the heavy hop flavor.  There is a ton going on and you get new things in every sip you take.  I love exploring beers like this more than the normal beers or the beers that are not as complex.  This is a great beer and I highly recommend this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Beer Blog DuClaw Brewing Serum Double IPA


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In this beer blog, we are going to get into a brewery from a beer called DuClaw Brewing.  The brew is called Serum Double India Pale Ale. DuClaw Brewing brewed their first beer in 1996 and was founded the same year by Dave Benfield.  It was a Marzen and the beer was called Mad Bull Marzen.  According to their website, they are the number one craft brewery in Maryland.  They brew several different beer styles and won several different awards.  Let us get into beer.

It has a slightly cloudy copper color with a white head.  The smell is of pineapple to orange.  The taste is pineapple with an orange aftertaste.  It is drinkable but dangerous.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Give your palate a big injection of hop bitterness well-balanced by malty sweetness with this smooth, medium bodied, copper-colored nectar that takes India Pale Ale to the next level.  Pop the top and… Get all hopped up.

Here is a description from their website (www.duclaw.com):

Serum

Double your pleasure. 

                 
Some beers are released … this one ESCAPED! Serum takes the style, IPA to a whole different level! This Double IPA is hopped aggressively at several stages in the brewing process. Although it is hopped up, Serum is well-balanced with a malty sweetness, making it the perfect solution to awaken lifeless taste buds.

Here is a their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.duclaw.com

Twitter:  @DuClawBrewing

Closing, I will say to my friend Matt from Maryland knows how to pick them or he has some great breweries by him.  I am thanking.  This brew is one of the best Double IPA that I had from out of my market.  I love the pineapple to orange notes from the hops and the nice balance from the malt.  This is a well balance beer for the beer style and it is extremely drinkable beer.  I really enjoyed this brew and I wish I could get this beer in the Chicago market.  I highly recommend this brew.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:   djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser