30th Anniversary Double IPA

The beer pours a brilliantly clear gold color with a fluffy white head with with excellent retention. The aroma starts out with a low sweet honey-like soft malt character. There are big bright hoppy tones of mango, lemons, and some low pine notes but mostly its  tropical fruits for me.  I do get a low alcohol nose, the rest of aroma is clean. The flavor mirrors the aroma fairly clost with a soft silky malt character, Mostly bread and honey. The bitterness is moderate. There is a very nice high hop flavor that matches the aroma. Like the aroma, the flavors are bright and easy to pick up. The balance is easily towards the hop flavor but the malt supports it well. Again with a low alchol presense on the exhale. The beer is medium body has a style appropriate medium carbonation with no hop astringency.

In the end, this is why its great to be a beer lover in today’s world. Brewers are realizing that to make a great IPA or double IPA, it’s not just about stiff assertive hop bitterness, but about showcasing the flavor of the hops as well. Today there is a wide variety of hops with a myriad of flavor and aroma choices. Why not showcase those great flavors and aromas.  I feel that is where this beer excels. This is a must have beer in my book.