Category Archives: American Double IPA

4 - Good (buy), American Double IPA, Beer Reviews, Stone Brewing Co., USA

Stone 20th Anniversary Encore Series: 10th Anniversary IPA

Monday, 28 November 2016 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Stone Brewing Co.
Country: USA
ABV: 10%
Style: American Double IPA
Other Notes: 2006 label, 2016 re-release. Hops – Summit, Chinook, Crystal and Simcoe

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Every one of you who spread the word has built up this brewery to what it is today. We can give no credit to a radio ad, to a TV ad or to a billboard – and I’m glad. MIKE PALMER // Team Stone since December 1998.

None of this would be possible if it weren’t for two visionaries. Greg Koch and Steve Wagner. Thanks for having the guts to go out and take a major risk and performing the near impossible. DAVE DYER // Team Stone since July 1998.

I came to the brewery almost seven years ago in response to a help wanted ad that read “if you like accounting and beer, send us your resume.” That’s for me, I thought. What the job really is, is much more than just accounting and much, much more than just beer. CONNIE GREEN // Team Stone since December 1999.

Stone is just not the company I work for, it is something I truly believe in. The culture, vision, attitude, and bragging rights over my friends and family make this company a passion for me. I appreciate all the Stone fans for their support over the years. JAKE RATZKE // Team Stone since January 2000.

My love to my family at home and to my Stone brothers and sisters and, of course, most of all to all the great Stone fans out there who make it all worth it. Cheers! MIKE LOPEZ // Team Stone since March 2000.

“Does Stone make a light beer?” NO! And stop asking, you wussies! KAREN WESTFALL // Team Stone since March 2000.

With the Stone 10th Anniversary IPA our love affair with the hop continues. My compliments and thanks to everyone who’s been a part of our history. We have an incredible Team here at Stone, and we’ve really enjoyed sharing our beers. GREG KOCH // Team Stone since October 1995.

Perhaps the most amazing thing is that after ten years there’s still so much I’d like to do with beer – more recipes to brew, experiments to try, other beers to sample and enjoy – that the next ten years won’t be nearly enough. STEVE WAGNER // Team Stone since October 1995.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.92
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.8

Intro: A 22 oz bomber, bottled on 25th August 2016, to be enjoyed by 23rd November 2016 (drank on the 27th, so I’m four days late). Poured into a Spiegelau IPA glass.
Appearance: It poured a clear copper amber colour with a big three finger slightly off white colour with great retention and nice lacing.
Aroma: Tropical pineapple with touches of mango followed by citrusy grapefruit and mandarin, pine and a hint of caramel.
Taste: Caramel biscuit malt with a blast of tropical stone fruits, bitter citrusy mandarin and its zest with notes of pine and citrus pith.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation and boozy on the finish.
Overall: This was nice, with my only minor complaint being that I’m not too fond of a boozy feel on IPAs or Double IPAs in this case. Other than that, I found it enjoyable.

3 - Indifferent (might buy, probably drink), American Double IPA, Beer Reviews, Hong Kong, Young Master Brewery

Young Master 1842 Island Imperial IPA

Thursday, 24 November 2016 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Young Master Brewery
Country: Hong Kong
ABV: 8%
Style: American Double IPA
Other Notes: 80 IBUs

Brewer Description: (from bottle) 1842 Island is a bold Imperial IPA that coaxes out and showcases every facet of an outsized malt and hop bill. It’s potent hop character is supported by a robust malt backbone lending it incredible complexity. Savor every sip as the flavor nuances unfold and culminate in a lingering, satisfying finish.

My rating: 3
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.81
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.7

Intro: A 330ml bottle with a best before date of 31st May 2017, poured into a Spiegelau IPA glass.
Appearance: It poured a hazy dark amber colour with slightly less than two finger off white head that had great retention and left nice sticky lacing.
Aroma: Strong caramel malts, citrusy grapefruit, pine and touches of floral elements.
Taste: Bitter and herbal with some grapefruit zest, caramel and toffee.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate to low carbonation.
Overall: Nice lingering bitterness with pretty good malt and hop balance.

4 - Good (buy), American Double IPA, Beer Reviews, Pipeworks Brewing Company, USA

Pipeworks Emerald Grouper

Thursday, 13 October 2016 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Pipeworks Brewing Company
Country: USA
ABV: 9.5%
Style: American Double IPA
Other Notes: Imperial India Pale Ale brewed with honey

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Dudddde… we put in like what was it… honey. No, like insane amounts of honey. Annnd… pssshh… seriously dank hops I got from this on guy I know. I think it was like… dude…. I am so gone. Simcoe and some Citra and some Mosaic and what if the colors I see are like not the colors you see… what was I saying? Right, right… L 7. If you put your hands together like that, it makes a square. Like a grouper. Wait what? Whatever… Pipeworks, they brew like the stickiest of the ickiest.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.29
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.1

Intro: A 22 oz bomber with no visible bottled on date on the bottle. Poured into a Spiegelau IPA glass.
Appearance: It poured a hazy golden orange colour with a big three finger white head that had great retention and leaves nice lacing.
Aroma: Tropical mango and pineapple, citrus grapefruit pith, lemon peel and honey.
Taste: Bitter grapefruit and orange pith, zest, pine and honey sweetness.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: I was worried that with honey added, it would be too sweet, but actually, this was really balanced between bitter and sweet. The ABV is also well hidden. A great DIPA.

2 - Maybe (likely wouldn't buy, might drink), American Double IPA, Beer Reviews, Pipeworks Brewing Company x Tired Hands Brewing Co., USA

Pipeworks x Tired Hands Marilime Law

Saturday, 8 October 2016 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Pipeworks Brewing Company x Tired Hands Brewing Co.
Country: USA
ABV: 8%
Style: American Double IPA
Other Notes: Hops – Simcoe, Centennial and Sorachi Ace. Malts – 2-row, Marris Otter, White Wheat and Acidulated Malt. Other – lime juice, lime zest and dextrose.

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Warriors from two clans have teamed up and hit the seven seas to bring you an IPA like no other. Pipeworks and Tired Hands have set sail with Simcoe, Centennial and Sorachi Ace hops in hand. We’ve also added enough lime zest and juice to keep things tart. Enjoy this unique collaborative effort before you walk the plank, ya Scurvy dog!

My rating: 2
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.37
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.2

Intro: A 22 oz bomber with no visible bottled on date on the bottle. Poured into a Spiegelau IPA glass.
Appearance: It poured a golden straw yellow colour with a three finger white head that had pretty good retention and left nice lacing.
Aroma: Strong lime with a touch of grapefruit pith and lemons.
Taste: Like the aroma, tangy lime is at the forefront followed by some lemon, zest and grains.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: This was not bad but perhaps a bit too much lime such that it overpowers everything else.

2 - Maybe (likely wouldn't buy, might drink), American Double IPA, Ballast Point Brewing Company, Beer Reviews, USA

Ballast Point Watermelon Dorado

Monday, 13 June 2016 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Ballast Point Brewing Company
Country: USA
ABV: 10%
Style: American Double IPA
Other Notes: 90 IBUs

Brewer Description: (from website) Our Watermelon Dorado Double IPA is not one to back down from big flavors. Mash, kettle, and dry hopping blend to create a huge hop profile that is balanced with a blast of watermelon. The result is a refreshing brew that is all summer and no seeds.

My rating: 2
My beeradvocate.com rating: 2.89
My ratebeer.com rating: 2.8

Intro: A 12 fl oz bottle with a Julian bottled on date of 16053, meaning it was bottled on 22nd February 2016. Poured into a Spiegelau IPA glass.
Appearance: It poured a clear golden orange colour with a huge four finger off white head with good retention and left lots of nice lacing.
Aroma: Strong watermelon with a hint of orange peel and sweet biscuit caramel malt.
Taste: A little weird like the flavours don’t mix together. There’s candied watermelon, cucumber (which I guess could be mistaken for the watermelon skin and white parts), some bitter grapefruit and fruit jello like sweetness. And none of it really came together unfortunately.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: I don’t know. I think this beer may be in the you either like it or don’t like it category. There isn’t really a middle ground. And in my case, it just wasn’t for me. It actually smells nice, but the tastes were just muddled and did not fit together for me.

words of another dreamy traveller