Stoudt's Double IPA (India Pale Ale)
I was pretty disappointed by this beer when I had it the first time from a bottle I purchased in Virginia (bottle review - 9/13/2007). Then I had it again on draft at the Brew Kettle in Strongsville, OH and was much happier with the experience. I thought it pretty mild-mannered for a DIPA and masked its alcohol content quite well. Pretty good, which is a definite reversal from my previous experience. Appearance was a pretty golden with maybe a centimeter of head. Aroma was hoppy with some papery smell which may have indicated this beer had some age on it, but was oddly pleasant. Flavor was fairly hoppy but nicely balanced, although very mild-mannered for this style. Definitely a bit dangerous, as I didn't realize this beer was 10% ABV until logging onto this site. Quite good.