Tag Archives: india pale ale

Hibiscus IPA Two Islands collaboration by Coronado and Maui

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Rating: 4.45/5

Hibiscus IPA Two Islands collaboration by Coronado and Maui is a 4.9% ABV India Pale Ale brewed with Hibiscus flowers. Many of us Latinos know this flower as it is used to make Jamaica (Iced Hibiscus-Tea). Never had such a mix before. However, now the tropical flavors are probably more potent in this IPA

Label:

CBC and our fellow islanders at Maui Brewing Co are bridging the distance from Hawaii to the mainland with big flavor, camaraderie, and generosity. This centennial, chinook, and nugget-stoked IPA, made floral with the addition of hibiscus flower, is the first of an annual series of collaborative beers benefiting local charities. This time around, a donation will be made to Beer for Boobs, a Susan G Komen 3-day team formed by San Diego company White Labs, who contributed the yeast for this brew. No matter which side of the Pacific you’re on, there’s no better reason to ” Drink Pink!” 
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When pouring this beer, it was mainly crimson and pink. The beer aromas of the pine and grassy hops are there but the floral and fruity aromas are also there. Almost like cherries. First sip of this beer and I was amazed by a different type of bitterness. I have had Jamaica on many occasions, with and with out sugars. So the flowery bitterness is there but it works very will with the hops creating a hoppy and floral bitterness hybrid. The flavors are of grapefruit, pineapple, cranberry tart, light cherries, orange, biscuit bread and lime. The flavors are not too overwhelming making this a pretty refreshing beer which wont fill you up to quick but has enough flavors to make it interesting. Even though it does not a super bitter IPA role, it plays it role for which it is suited for, a tropical, floral and a bit fruity IPA.

Denogginizer by Drake’s Brewing

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Rating: 4.25/5

Denogginizer by Drake’s Brewing is a 9.75%ABV Imperial India Pale Ale. 

Label:

Silver Medal winner for Imperial India Pale Ale, Great American Beer Festival 2009. An Imperial (or Double) IPA, Denogginizer is a big bold beer hopped with an abundant amount of Simcoe and Columbus with a touch of Amarillo and Cascade. Mashed with Munich and Crystal malt for color and flavor…and to help balance out the hop assault. 
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Another DIPA to add to the list of Double IPAs. As I have explained in other reviews, some IPAs focus on certain traits wether sweeter or more bitter. This IPA focuses on several things but mostly in the sweeter category. More caramel than tropical sweet. Hoppy but not super bitter. Just enough to let you know you are dealing with an Double IPA. Also the alcohol is well hidden. Flavors of caramel, honey, hoppy grassy pine and grapefruit, some apple, tangerine, peach, spicy but not herbal. A sweeter DIPA than others. So if you prefer more bitter and more tropical, there are others out there. This one is still recommended if you like sweeter DIPAs though. Not bad at all 🙂

Double Dragonfly by Upland Brewing

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Rating: 4.45/5

Double Dragonfly by Upland Brewing is a 9.1%AV Imperial India Pale Ale.

Label:
We took our award-winning Dragonfly IPA and cranked up the malt and hops, but managed to hold onto the the perfect balance our Dragonfly is known for. The result is a brew with a very powerful hop profile, matching malt character, and an enticing floral nose.
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A very very elusive beer. I love IPAs but what really had me hooked on a mission to finding this beer is the label. It is very good artwork, mysterious, dark, lol but at the same time may be quite revealing. Yes that is 2 dragonflies….lol mating probably. Anyways, on to the beer review. There is is this aroma of flowers and honey that come along with the piney, grapefruit and grassy scent that comes natural to IPAs and DIPAs alike. I have reviewed many IPAs and always try to look for what is unique about each one. While some may taste similar or even similar in complexity, some may have certain rooted notes that are more recognizable or stronger than others. For this beer, it is the flowery notes more than tropical or hoppy bitter. Even the appearance is more crimson than some of the other IPAs I have had. The flavors range from cotton candy, caramel, honey, rose hips, hibiscus, cherry, grapefruit, peach, grassy and piney hops, tangerine citrus, herbs, notes of biscuit bread and strawberry jam. The bitterness gives way to the flavors but you can still tell it is an IPA. The alcohol comes as the beer becomes warmer but does not detract from the beer flavors. A pleasant and sweet IPA. Not too bitter, not too tropical in flavors. Not quite a Saison either. Yet, if you can find this give it a try. Unless you like more tropical and bitter beers, it may not be what you are looking for. Regardless, it was a win for me. One that took me almost a year to find :D.

Avatar Jasmine by Elysian Brewing

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Rating: 3.8/5

Avatar Jasmine by Elysian Brewing is a 6.3%ABV India Pale Ale made with Jasmine Flowers.

Label:

East meets West Coast with a unique floral aroma and smooth dose of hops. Avatar is an excellent beer for pairing with food.
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Low on bitterness, higher on floral sweetness is what mainly composes this IPA. The flavors of overwhelming honey, (The way flowers smell), green grapes and grassy hop notes. Not sure what Jasmine taste like but that is similar to what I can get from this beer . There is some citrus and toast and biscuit flavor in the aftertaste. This beer Reminds me of that DogFish Head Noble Rot which was sort of like a wine beer hybrid. There is nothing too bitter about this beer but it taste pretty good regardless. However IPA fans, if you are strict to the HOP, this is not for you. If you are open minded for sweeter yet hoppy beers, then give this a try 🙂

Heady Topper by The Alchemist

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Rating: 5/5

Heady Topper by The Alchemist is a 8% ABV Double IPA. Considered to be the 2nd best IPA in the world right next to the Fabled, Russian River Pliny the Younger and 3rd best beer in the world overall. At one point it did held the record for the best beer in the world taking battle after battle between Westvleteren 12 and Pliny the Younger. Surprising as to why the best beers in the world are between Belgian Quads/Strongs and IPAs?? Well, maybe because those that do not spend the time to research and explore these types of treasures end up short to realize what truly awesome beer could be…

Label:
From the CAN: “DRINK FROM THE CAN! [x3 for added emphasis]”; “Heady Topper is an Ameri[CAN] Double India Pale Ale. This beer is not intended to be the biggest or most bitter. It is meant to give you wave after wave of hoppy goodness on your palate. Tremendous amounts of Ameri[CAN] hops will creep up on you and leave you with a dense hoppy finish in your mouth. So drinkable, it’s scary. Sometimes I wish I could crawl right into the [CAN]. Freshness and control have always been my main concern[s] when it comes to our beer. We are committed to providing you with an unfiltered and unpasteurized hop experience. Why do I recommend that you drink it from the [CAN]? Quite simply, to ensure a delightful, [sic] hop experience. The act of pouring it in a glass smells nice, but it releases the essential hop aromas that we have worked so hard to retain. If you MUST pour it into a glass, you may find that some of the hop resins have settled to the bottom – leave them in the CAN when pouring. This beer is perishable, and at its best when it is young, fresh and hazy. Keep it cold, but not ice cold. Drink this beer immediately, we are always making more. [Undersigned] John Kimmich, The Alchemist, Waterbury, Vermont”; “Don’t be a D-Bag, recycle this [CAN]!”.

How is this beer in Flavor?? The epitomy of Tropical…. The focus of this beer is strictly not on super bitter, just tropical and hop extremities. Pine, Grass, Minor Grape Fruit, major Mango and Peach Flavor, pears, sweet grape, papaya, apples, oranges, pineapples, Sugar Cane, caramel, vanilla and hazel nut. I had saved some from the can and drank it straight…WOW …they are right… Drinking from the can makes it where right amount of hops is more active than served in the glass… How is this possible??? even though drinking from the glass has always been better…Makes no sense but it is what it is…damn GOOD BEER…Wow…Is this really an IPA or a tropical fruit drink with hops??? It is amazingly balanced. You know this is an IPA even IPA haters CANNOT avoid….. Look here is the thing…. I have never EVER had Pliny the Younger, but I am sure if this can go toe to toe…then it is definitely a force to be damn well recognized. Some say it was the Pliny the Younger Killer, I would agree because of it’s availability. I cannot say this enough…this is just brimming with what an IPA evolution into a sweetened and hoppy bitter taste truly is. WOW….JUST….WOW!!!

Stone Ruination Tenth Anniversary IPA

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Rating: 5/5* 

*NOTE: Not recommended for those who cannot tolerate a supremely bitter beer, if that is the case, then IGNORE THIS RATING all together. Hop heads and Beer enthusiast will enjoy this better.

The Golden standard of Supreme Ruinations of all IPA has raised the levels of true palete ruination for all to enjoy. The liquid poem to the glory of the hop raised to the level of gods!!. Stone Ruination Tenth Anniversary IPA has come!! A 10.8 % ABV Double IPA brewed with the abnormal amount of 5 pounds of hops per barrel. A rating of 110 International Bitterness Units in this from the original 105. For those that do not know what this means, it basically means that anything above 90-100 IBUs is extremely bitter. So much it will linger in the tongue and stay there for a while. Hence the name, so bitter it ruins the palette. Yet, there is so much that comes with those who are trained with the arts of IPAs such that we can see past the strongest of bitterness to find something incredible!! The year was 2002 and at the time the first Ruination came out, they believed a beer so friggin’ bitter no one would want, became an international favorite. Tribute is payed to the original “Blind Pig” IPA which invented the DIPA style in the bottle which is awesome. Meaning, California is where DIPA style was born…..California LOVE B-\ F– Yeah!!!

While many may not agree as to what is listed here, be forewarned as this is is only a guide. I have tried many IPAs on my travels into these realms and have found so many good beers. Ruination is a golden standard of all IPAs. So since this was the case, the guys at Stone took it over board. The usual batch of super bitter beer starts at 2.5 per barrel. This special edition 10th anniversary IPA is brewed with 5 pounds of hops per barrel basically double. It is true that not only do they say that the previous beer’s bitterness lasted for about 30 minutes or so, this one is lasting even more. THIS BEER IS VERY BITTER..so much that the bitterness actually is burning all the way down even into the stomach. WOW!!!! The most you will find upfront is an extreme rush of grass, pine and citrus but at an extra strength. LOL maybe those with heart burnt might want to be careful >:). Past the bitterness is some mango, pineapple, caramel, kiwi. However, this is immediately gone and you are back into a hop heave. So much is the change in flavor that you start to experience something well….awesome. Could just the alcohol though…LOL but sure even that is helpful to forget that your insides and taste buds still burn with bitterness and well, that hoppy goodness…maybe to the point that….it will intrigue your hoppy head soul…A true HOPiphany in brewing because after your done you will see…..the truth @.@If you don’t? Then at least you had one of the best DIPAs in the world… yeah Pliny come get some >:D

Racer 5 India Pale Ale by Bear Republic

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Rating: 5/5
Racer 5 India Pale Ale by Bear Republic is a 7%ABV IPA. The guy at the store told me this was a world class, gold standard IPA. Could it really go up against Ruination, Sculpin or Pliny? Then again, Ruination and Pliny are DIPAs and Sculping is at the top of the world class of IPAs, I said screw it I’ll take it anyways. One thing to notice is the fact that it is named after the Speed Racer series. Racer 5 was Speeds best car. I hope there was no copyright infringement but either way it is a cool label. As far as the flavor goes, well I won’t deny that this beer was definitely good. It is very refreshing. The bitterness from the hops is not too overwhelming even though the grassy, piney and grapefruit citrus is definitely in there. There is also some minor caramel apple and peach flavor to it. The beer goes down well and the alcohol does not seem to overwhelm at all. The bitterness actually fades into sweet brown sugar like flavor in the after taste. This certainly gives an option to whether you want a super bitter IPA, a strong grassy and herbal IPA, a tropical flavor bitter IPA or just something that has a little bit of everything in it and well balanced. IPA people, grab this one, it is an awesome beer if you just want a simple summer refreshing IPA 😛