AleSmith Brewing Company Double IPA
What the brewers say
“The flavor imparts orange, grapefruit, and tangerine hops notes with earthy, spicy, and pine undertones. A sturdy malt backbone balances the profound hops bitterness to create an assertive and vibrant beer that offers a bold expression of fresh American hops.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Distinct and unique blueberry hops flavors up front, with some nice mango and lemongrass. Light dank, onion hops aroma with a touch a malt sweetness. Capers? Gin? Definitely in the pine family, but more of a cousin.”
Flavor: “Nice hops fruitiness with an even blend of blueberry, mango, and grapefruit rind. The hops bitterness and the light sweetness accentuate a piney hops character (a bit of Christmas tree) that helps balance and dry out the beer. A nice touch of boozy warmth also helps to fill out this beer. Bitterness lingers just a little too long, into the point of unwelcome aftertaste.”
Overall: “A complex hops profile that just barely rises above the intense hops bitterness. It could use some malt to balance it out.”
