This weeks DIPA Reviews
By doubling the hops and malts and giving yeast more to feast on the ABV will usually be 7 to 9%
Grimm (NY) Gravity of Chill 9.2%
New
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME.
3 hops (Columbus, Citra & Strata)
Mixed aroma of fruit & herbs make an interesting start. Light carbonation. Flavors are soft & bounce off the backbone ending lightly herbal & spiced. Fruit aspects remain dominant throughout the entire offering. All contributions balance each other nicely.
ABV is sneaky & tops off the craft. Possibly a 1 session offering
Finback (NY) If Whales Could Fly DDH DIPA 9%
New
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME.
2 hops (Mosaic & Meridian)
High fruit aroma. DDHing ensures fruit flavors are immediate primarily orange & citrus consistently mixing with a light spiced bittering to end each sip. Body is full & cuddles with both hops in a warm embrace. Both hops are equal in their contribution to the offering. ABV is apparent from start to finish fulfilling its 9% responsibilities in helping create a DIPA true to the style.
Equilibrium (NY) Tidal Balance 8.6%
In Stock
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME.
5 hops ( Enigma, Eclipse, Nelson, Citra Incog & Citra Lupomax)
3 sip rule ...
Aroma accentuates fruit notes. Fruit forward flavors of citrus & subtle grape with earthy undertones & lingering light spice. Flavors start, recede to aspects of pine & return to end each sip. Carbonation is light & helps in balance as does the soft body. Finishes well.
All hop aspects are on display throughout this offering,
Hop Butcher (IL) Cosmic Fountain DIPA 7%
In Stock
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME.
3 hops ( Citra, Waimea & Mosaic)
The looked for citrus fruit arma signature to this brewer jumps out. A soft body & light Mosaic earthy undertones mix into medium bittering front to back in each sip. Flavors journey from orange to tangerine & tropical & are well balanced & blended with no dominant player in flavor. Resinous medium bittering stays in its place letting flavor ride point. The body ensures all the above remain intact.
KC BC (NY) Llamageddon DIPA 8%
In Stock
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME.
4 hops ( Motueka, Hallertau blanc, Citra & Nectaron)
3 sip rule
Deeper fruit aroma which introduces each sip.
A white wine dominance begins & makes room for Citra & Nectaron to provide their contribution to the offering that bring a refreshing & lightly tart aspect towards each sip end. Motueka is relegated to the backround with a subtle woodsy note here & there.
A bit warmer was preferred for enhancement & blending of all the above
Dancing Gnome (PA) Warm Hand Splash DIPA 8%
In Stock
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME.
1 hop (Citra)
Grapefruit aroma with hints of orange. Flavor leans the same. Bittering is prevalent front to back but a soft body keeps hysteria away. A splash of orange makes an appearance mid sip to balance the offering as well & remains dominant as the craft matures
Weldwerks (CO) Weld & Butch Hazy DIPA 8.2 %
In s tock
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME.
A collaboration with Hop Butcher. 3 Hops (Elani, Krush & Mosaic)
Fruited aroma with a light herbal touch. Medium carbonation & light bittering give in to a burst of fruit flavors that become the catalyst to the offering. All hops contribute bright multiple flavors ranging from citrus to tropical. Bittering is relegated to each sip end & makes the offering work with a light pine aspect.
Should be added to a portfolio of favorites.
Drowned Lands (NY) Terra Blanc 8%
In Stock
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME.
2 hops (Citra cryo & Phantasm)
Neutral aroma. Soft & lightly carbonated. Completely fruit forward. No bittering but there is an earthy aspect that flows around each sip & will keep everything in balance. Fruit flavors of citrus remain dominant throughout. Phantasm is the softest contributor in flavor mixing with the orange aspects of Citra cryo. But in hindsight the bottom light earthy notes is truly what brings this craft together
District96 (NY) Year of the snake DIPA 8.5%
In Stock
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME.
3 hops (Motueka, Pac Sun & Citra)
Dirty,earthy Motueka aroma that explodes into a multi flavored craft slightly tart. Soft body with minimal
*Return to Home*bittering. Flavors weave back & forth between tropical & citrus leading to an earthy aspect towards sip end. Achieving equilibrium comes from holding each sip.
Motueka is a difficult hop to pair let alone get right but is accomplished here.
A signature District 96 craft
Ten7 (PA) See you space cowboy Hazy DIPA 8.5%
In Stock
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME.
2 Hops ( Galaxy & El Dorado)
Bouquet of aroma from both hops. Low carbonation & bittering brings an immediate flavor burst of peach & pineapple with just enough bittering presence to balance. Taking in the aroma as you sip continuously enhances the enjoyment of this offering start to finish.
A soft bodied craft that is worth a try.
Abomination (PA) Cosmic Guava DIPA 8.6%
In Stock
1 hop (Krush) Formerly HBC-586.
Intense aroma that teases you into a medium carbonated, brightly flavored offering. Guava is the dominant flavor with layered herbal notes that prop up each sip. Additional notes of light melon & citrus start to shine as you go. The signature bittering solidifies this as the newest member of the "Fog" family
A hop that weaves a tapestry of flavor, bittering & herbal notes that all camps may want to try.
Drekker (ND) Goon Platoon 8%
In Stock
3 hops ( NZH 107, Citra & Belma)
Multiple fruit aromas & an herbal note. Initial higher carbonation pushes the flavors & body to the front. The smooth soft body further enhances flavors of orange, berry & tropical compliments of all 3 hops blending together. Bittering is minimal at best & relegated to the end of each sip with a subtle dry note creating this offerings balance.
Hazy tropical fans will want to try this.
District96 (NY) King Kobra 8%
In Stock
3 hops (Citra, Mosaic & something else unknown)
Dirty pineapple aroma makes an interesting beginning A difference of opinions as to hop 3 (Nelson or Simcoe). Anchored by the known 2 brings us a taste of orange & pineapple in a very creamy soft body. Medium carbonation & when sip is held grape notes surface making a vote for Nelson.
Regardless, this is a flavor forward craft with minimal bittering destined for enjoyment from all camps
Equilibrium (NY) Four Fours DIPA 8.5%
In Stock
4 hops (Citra, Strata, Galaxy & Zappa )
A more tropical aroma with subtle herbal, pine notes. Medium bittering mixes with multiple & balanced flavors of tropical & citrus which weave together creating a tapestry rather than 1 hop dominance over any other. Lightly conditioned & a nice body. Strata adds another herbal ending that adds yet more creativity to the offering.
The composition of these hops makes it a candidate for almost any fan of craft beer.
Grimm (NY) Tesseract 8%
In Stock
3 hops (Citra, Mosaic & Falconer Flight)
Falconer Flight is a blend of 7 Northwest Pacific hops.
Late additions imparts an aroma of mixed fruit with earthy undertones. Medium carbonation & a light crisp yet soft body. Orange notes dominate & lead the way with light flavors of melon & a perfect earthy Mosaic ending.
What you smell is what you get which is a balanced craft that doesn't disappoint.
Hudson Valley (NY) Archangel 9%
DDH with Citra, Racua & Motueka
Rakua imparts aroma of orange & apricot. Soft & flavorful. Light carbonation & bittering. Flavors dominate with a nice blending but there is a playful tug of war between the aspects & ends with both agreeing to share the spotlight in harmony. Light woody notes end each sip.
A well done mix of hops that will tease the senses of more than one craft camp thanks to DDH. A sneaky 9%
Phase 3 (IL) Invisible Wings 7.8%
1 hop (Galaxy)
A soft body wraps around medium carbonation & light bittering that remains start to finish. The flavor aspects though take control with notes of peach & citrus that are welcomed into the mix. This craft balances out into a light dry finish. Flavors dominate a bit warmer but will be enjoyed at any temperature.
7.8% is the sweet spot here. All camps could find this in their fridge.
Equilibrium (NY) Lucid Dream Wave 8.2%
In Stock
4 hops (Citra, Amarillo, Galaxy & El Dorado) Dry hopped
A soft pungent mixed aroma. Amarillo while not dominant seems prevalent in its aspects from herbal to bittering & flavor contributions beginning with the initial light herbal notes that then mix with flavors of pineapple , peach & citrus that come forward as you go. While the body is soft it's also lightly dry. All aspects are nicely layered & make multiple appearances throughout each sip giving this craft balance. Warmer enhances flavor.
Drowned Lands (NY) Early Leaf (8.4%)
In stock
2 hops (Cashmere & Simcoe) An earthy/fruit aroma compliments of both hops. Body is silky bringing forward a pleasant blend of multiple fruit flavors & light bittering. A note of light herbal pine sneaks in at each sip end creating another layer to the offering. Flavor dominates throughout but let all aspects contribute. Balanced at all temps
Weldwerks (CO) Extra Extra Juicy bits 8.6%
In stock
3 hops ( El Dorado, Citra & Mosaic) DDH
Semi dry fruit aroma & nicely carbonated. Initial bittering, lighter due to DDH. Fruit aspects of all 3 hops are on display. El Dorado appears a bit dominant but doesn't detract from Mosaic or Citra contributions. Blending of bitter and flavor is just right for this style. Body keeps all in balance & ends as it began, lightly dry. An appealing craft for all camps & a possible introduction for those just entering our sphere.
Burlington (VT) It's complicated being a Wizard 8%
In stock
3 hops (Simcoe, Idaho 7 & Chinook)
Earthy fruity aroma. Oats provide a pleasantly soft body that wraps around citrus flavors which are continually out front & mix into medium bittering throughout. Again oat malts keep this from drifting into the realm of a West Coast style & allow all aspects to blend. An earthy/cannibus spice like ending completes the balance in a light subtle way.
Crafted nicely
Hudson Valley (NY) Double Pillow Hat 9%
Available
1 Hop (Citra)
A drier citrus aroma to start. A bit higher in carbonation but it seems to add to flavor aspects. Orange notes are pulled out through the body. Light bittering makes its presence at the end of each sip.
No 1 aspect detracts from another, rather all make for a crisp blend a bit different & enjoyable. A quiet 9% kick.
Hazy & tropical fans may want to look elsewhere. All others should check out a well created craft
District96 (NY) Hyper Local 8.5%
Available
2 hops (Sabro & Citra)
A Sabro tropical aroma . Light bittering which remains consistent throughout & mixes with flavor profiles being light coconut, tropical & citrus in no particular order. A soft creamy body creates the base for the above.
Very mellow start to finish. A subtle hint of vanilla was a nice touch to the ending. Balance is well done. Colder was preferred.
A candidate for hazy & tropical camps
Grimm (NY) After Image 8%
Available
Light grapefruit aroma with other fruit side notes. Hold the sip and surprisingly El Dorado jumps into the lead with grape flavors & softens the offering letting orange come to play & simcoe providing light bittering mixing with earthy Mosaic aspects .A soft body and late to the game carbonation round out the craft.
All contributors mix into an enjoyable craft
Tripping Animals (FL) /Mast Landing (ME) On the Loose 8.7%
Available
5 hops ( Citra, Citra cryo, Simcoe, Idaho 7 & Idaho 7 cryo)
3 sip rule ...
Dry orange aroma with light earthy undertones. Medium carbonation mixes into medium bittering while we wait for flavors which appear 3 sips in & take control thereafter.
An interesting mix of cryo hops that keep the flavor dominance while still letting bittering aspects to remain along with the consistent earthy nuance.
Lolev (PA) Double Prismatic 8%
In Stock
3 hops (El Dorado,Idaho 7 & Citra)
Light tea, grassy and pineapple aroma just as described. Soft & carbonated with steady light bittering. Fruit aspects take over & are the reflection of aroma and brighten as this warms. All aspects don't really retire or give way as much as weave. Each sip ends on a sweetly tart raspberry note.An interesting blend of hops that gives us a craft a bit different in taste
Finback (NY) HighLow DH 8.4%
In Stock
9 hops... Read the can on this one! DHing these hops you'd think creates a tropical bomb but some influences keep the balance. Deep fruit aroma from most of these hops. The same in flavor with a spiced earthy bottom. If you know these hops pay close attention & you can identify almost every contribution. Soft body & light carbonation. All bittering is relegated to the backend. ABV appears there as well. Warmer preferred.
A complex and successful craft
Equilibrium (NY) Element Carbon 8%
In Stock
2 hops (Idaho 7 and Citra)
Idaho 7 is an aroma hop whirlpooled here to extract more oils and enhance flavor profiles. Light in nature start to finish. Bittering is noticed but not out front. Flavors of citrus and melon make an appearence and blend into the above. While neither aspect dominate they create a weave and a light spiced ending is icing on the cake.
All aspects are balanced and light enough to be refreshing vs heavy
KC BC 8th Orbit 8%
In Stock
5 hops ( Citra Galaxy Nectaron Nelson and Hallertau Blanc)
Nelson and Hallertau produce a dry wine aroma and contribute later to flavor. A soft body, minimal bittering and medium carbonation. Completely multi fruit flavored from orange peach citrus and the above mentioned grape. The expected dry wine finish never materializes. All hops balance and blend continuously.
Hazy tropical fans, this is a craft that needs your attention. All craft beer lovers as well.