Firestone Walker Double Jack Double IPA

Happy International IPA Day, everybody! This day, August 2nd, is dedicated to the glory and praise of the hops. I used to be a big Hop Head back in the day and I do still enjoy the bitter every now and again. Today I will focus on a gloriously hoppy beer from Firestone Walker.

Firestone Walker is a very popular brewery out of Paso Robles, California, and like a lot of other West Coast breweries (Stone, Sierra Nevada, etc.) they are masterful in their use of hops. When I saw this in Missouri, I just had to have it (since Firestone Walker doesn't make it down to Texas). Shall we dive in?

Double Jack pours clear copper orange with a large, LARGE, white head from the 22 oz bomber. At 9.5% ABV there is no alcohol presence on the nose, and it explodes with citrus and pine and has a hints of light sweeter malt aromas. The taste on the Double Jack is SO BITTER but so amazing. There are lots of tropical fruit flavors and a pleasant sweetness that lingers underneath the bitterness that is reminiscent of caramel.

Double Jack coats the mouth, lingers, and then fades. It is not too thick, but thick enough to handle the bitterness, is very smooth feeling in the mouth and does not have very much carbonation despite the giant head that formed when poured. The finish reminds me of spicy hops, usually from the Czech Republic, and is still quite bitter, but not all that drying. 22 oz and 9.5% ABV, perfect for sharing.

Firestone Walker Brewing
Double Jack Double IPA
TCSH - 10/10
Aka - Near perfect, but as they say "best enjoyed in moderation."

Dallas