Top 15 Double/Triple IPA’s in My Book…

Ok, so I’m very bitter…and as Stone’s Ruination marketing says….and I like it….

 So, did Stone’s Ruination make the top 15 Double IPA’s in my book?  As with most DIPA’s, it all depends on the drinker and the day - these are my top 15 today, subject to change without notice (or update) due to even slight changes in perception.  Author takes only credit for enjoying each one greatly, and hopes that the other hopheads out there enjoy these recommendations greatly.

15.   90 min - DogfishHead - man, when I first began with double IPA’s this one carried the standard along with Ruination - and now they both grace the second half of the list.  This is NOT to say there is anything wrong with DFH 90.  There is plenty of reason to explore this brew - time and time again - and be sure to check out the woodoaked version, called Burton Baton, if you find it available.

14.  Seeing Double - from Foothills - a very dark colored DIPA with the requisite piney, sprucey, citrus notes to make you pay attention up front.  Sweet hits home first - caramel and butterscotch, even - and then the run for the woods begins - the spruce you smell upfront kicks in and then the orangey citrus hangs on.  A really nice effort from a brewery in SC.  Nice to see a SE effort that can compete to land in the top 15.

13.  Ruination - Stones - a classic flagship of the hophead brews available out there.  Stone really hit the mark earlier than most - and led the way - and still do so with this powerhouse of hops.  I think it has slipped to #13 due to a slight inadequacy of balance when compared to other brews it competes with now.

12.  Whoop Pass - Silver City - Pine and spice upfront,  Malt in the mid -with caramel and toffee predominant - and then some alchohol in the finish. Bitterness and malt are nicely balanced.  Silky mouthfeel with very light carbonation.  A beer worth seeking out - it takes a ferry ride from Seattle or a drive around and then through Olympic National Park.

11.  Hop Slam from Bell’s - when you open this beer, pour slowly and then sniff deeply.  The overwhelming citrus is amazing.  The taste is a nice blend of citrus and malt, with bitter pine smackdown in the back end of the sip.  Depending on how old the bottle you have is, the hops die out and blend in about 12 months after bottling and you have a whole new beer in play - this time with a great drinkability and fine sipping by snifter type of feel.

10.  Breckenridge 471 - Small Batch - a very low overhead of hops upfront, almost all sweetness…but just wait, cause the hops hits as spice upfront, then malt takes the middle - sweet and long - and then the back end slams in like a 10 car pileup on the expressway - you never saw it coming.  Yum!  A very unique double IPA - with a small number of chances to try it.

9.  Frank from Pizza Port - Amazingly massive aromas of citrus zest. Imagine walking through a field of fresh smcoe and maybe amarillo hops - and letting them stick to you.  Imagine the smell permeating your taste buds and then you’ll know how that first sip tastes…if you can imagine a little malt underneath for a slight push towards balance.  But then the back end kicks in, the hop resins attach to your tongue and you’re back in the hops field.  It’s like Being John Malcovich for your beer senses…except you get nowhere near the side of the NJ Turnpike - thank Goodness!

8.  Moylander - from Moylan’s - this one is a winner.  Pours nicely and leaves webs of sticky lacing.  Man o man, are the hops present - from floral to citrus to piney.  There is a slight malt undertone resin. The first sip may be a bit much for those underprepared - A huge wash of hops with pine, citrus, and floral flavors all blended together.   There is a taste of malt in the middle, almost like toasty biscuits and then finishing out with lingering resiny hops. Delicious.  This is a delicious exercise in hops appreciation.

7.  HopJuice - Oggi’s - While watching the Michigan State v Gonzaga 3OT Maui basketball game over Thanksgiving break of 2005, I had two of these illustrious brews - and they have stuck with me for some time as being amazing brews that really epitomize the style.  Here’s my thoughts - from the coaster under the beers with notes now scribbled on it.  “Pine and orange citrus dominate the nose, with slight sweet and lemon undertones.  The taste, sweet at first, with piney backbone - bring to life a great beer that laces down the sides and yet isn’t a heavily carbonated monster.  ABV is high - so they cut us off at 2 of these - shame, I’d like another.”

6.  Maharaja - Avery - Maybe it’s because I can get these fairly regularly that they have fallen down the list a little ways.  Maybe it isn’t.  Still, this is one of those that just kicks all around - awesome pine and citrus notes upfront - and then this is followed with more amazing flavors of the same in the front and back of the sip.  In the middle, the malt pops up to say hello and then disappears again.

5.  Pure Hoppiness - from Alpine - Smells of fresh hops. Really smells of them!  Citrus and pine as with many great DIPA’s - then there’s a cut grass organic smell that really makes this brew stand out.  Tastes of awesome hoppiness - pure, even.  The taste is so upfront, so strong, so fresh and new it is almost unbelieveable.  Flows over the tongue and down the throat, but leaves hop resin all over the tongue.  YUMMY! 

4.  YuleSmith - from AleSmith -  grapefruit rind and pine resin dominate the smell, along with a sweet tone of malt and then an underlying woody note.  Yummy!  Having a near chemical dependency on alpha acids, this one is wonderful.  Note - there are two versions of YuleSmith - and the one I like comes out at the Yule-ish time of year.

3.  Dreadnaught - from Three Floyds - there hasn’t been a double IPA that has captured more of my senses, nor frozen my tastebuds the way this has - until I tried #2 and #1.  This was the first HUGE double I’d tasted, and I must admit, it is one of the best I’ve ever had to this day.  Dreadnaught began the search for more of it’s ilk, and that has been hard to find.  Amazing nose, sweet into bitter taste and then more.

2.  Pliny the Elder - from Russian River - “legal kind bud in a brew” according to friends from Humboldt - and even though this doesn’t have any buds in it, the close relative, hops, is abundant - and the smell makes you think of dank wafting pine, citrus and a little earthen smell.  The taste?  Can heaven be in a glass?  Great balance between malt and hops although the hops win out.

and finally, the moment comes….

#1.  Moylan’s Hopsickle - this is daggone close to addiction in a glass.  Bitter through and through, yet with an understated balance to the brew.  Leaves a strong bitter aftertaste that hangs around for many minutes.  A sipping beer to be sure, and one that is a true pleasure - it even gives me goosebumps.

 Ok, so I am now at the top, and feel sure I missed something - and will find it again later.