Hop Rising Double IPA
Review from notes taken on 1/13/11. Thanks to JohnGalt1 for the chance to try this one. Poured into a snifter, this brew appears a clear color of orange with a finger of white head. The cap recedes slowly leaving a wall of lacing on the glass and quickly dissipates to a thin film across the top of the brew. The aroma of this brew has toasty malt sweetness with a citrus component reminescent of orange rind. The hops impart an overall fruity and rindy smell. As it warms, it becomes increasingly candy-like with a caramelized sugary scent with a touch of grassy hop character. The taste is oily with orange rind flavors, citrus and fruits that initially seem sweet but turn bitter and somewhat herbal. Quite sweet yet balanced with a toasty malt inclusion. The alcohol becomes apparent once the brew warms. This is a medium bodied offering with a light level of carbonation. A little sweeter than expected but overall not bad and quite drinkable for 9%.