This beer debunks the East Coast IPA’s reputation as less hoppy or more English than its West Coast cousin. First, a boisterous hop aroma races from a big, sticky head; grapefruit, cedar, and sap leave no doubt the brewer used a heavy hand of hops. The same holds true in the flavor, as the front of the tongue is treated to deeply caramelized malt sweetness while the sides are pummeled by sharp bitterness and a load of citrus and floral hops. With a medium body and overt alcohol presence, the beer has all the trappings of a well-made double IPA, with a “soupy hop” character (in which a single hop variety doesn’t dominate). Still, this version shows the brash American style that hop-heads everywhere will appreciate.
