This is the second time I review this beer but possibly the 10th or more times I have had this beer since 2011. A favorite IPA among some of San Diego’s best beers by one of their best breweries. This Double IPA introduced me to a difference in herbal, caramel and tropical DIPAs. Back then, telling the difference between hoppy flavors was pretty much for the beginners tongue. After trying so many different IPAs, each IPA has a certain dominance. For this one I will try to do a better job of breaking it down than what I did with my first review post on Facebook long long ago (In terms of brewerianime logs, essentially it was one I uploaded in 2012 but was a Facebook post in 2011.)

Aromas:
Floral, piney, grapefruit, citrus, grassy and herbal hops, honey, biscuit bread, toffee hints, tropical fruits like mango, honey dew melon, pineapple hints, lemon peel, oranges, tangerines, orange peel, coriander spice, white grapes and rye bread.

Flavors:
Orange, citrus, grapefruit, piney, grassy and floral hops, mango, strawberry notes, grapes, biscuit bread, toffee, honey, white grapes, caramel hints, honey dew melon, dragon fruit, prickly pears, apricots, pineapple, lemon peel, coriander spice hints, fresh orange peel, orange preserves on rye bread, lychee fruit and papaya notes.

Aftertaste:
Grapefruits, rye bread, grape, tropical notes, floral, pine. No alcohol in the taste, smooth drinkability despite the ABV, medium body, light to medium mouth feel, crisp and refreshing.

Overall:
Another perfect example of the westcoast style integrating the 3 aspects of malty, tropical and grassy/herbal IPAs into a balance that most may find appealing. Just the fact that it is also very drinkable, to the point where some may consider this a session DIPA, was probably the reason I got to try this on tap at even Buffalo Wild Wings. I would definitely recommend this one as this was one of my favorites DIPAs while starting my journey into craft beer connoisseuring.

Anime Corner:
Terra/Tina Brandford as well as her Esper Form (Pink) from Final Fantasy III(US)/VI(JP) was used in this pairing since the first time I reviewed the beer long ago. I wanted to drive home the aspect of Double in Double IPA. Some of the colors pair with her but also the fact that in her esper form, Terra is very powerful but can also fly in the sky to where ever she wants. Kind of depicting the epicness of the plane on the label.