Double Simcoe IPA
I visited my local specialty store looking for some over-the-top fresh hop taste. Dark Horse's Crooked Tree IPA had me craving the flowery fresh taste and smell. I picked up a bottle of this Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA. Apparently, Simcoe is a strain of American hops raised on the left coast that is noted for its aroma and low harshness so brewers can put in lots of 'em. Let's see how this goes. I opened the bottle and poured rather aggressively to get a 1 1/2 finger head that appears to be sticking around a while. IPA's typically have a great lacing pattern, and the Double Simcoe IPA appears to be living up to the IPA name. The color is a nice and foggy amber, but a bit darker than typical. I like that...that means sweet malt. The aroma is not as floral as I'd like it to be, but too much floral can mean the hops overwhelm the body of the beer. Hot so here. I definitely get the hops along with a sweet hint of malt. The sweetness of the malts was a little more overwhelming than I was looking for, but it offers a delicate balance. The hops are noted at the end of the drink when a burst of floral hoppiness pushes out the malt and the bitter finish settles in and dissipates rather quickly so as to not taint the taste. The strong hop taste is a bit different than others I have tasted and is very powerful. The richness of the beer really lends itself to the creaminess mouthfeel. I am a fan of creamy beers, but the taste of this IPA would be great a little thinner. Just as good? Maybe? Being so rich it is easy to say that I'd only have one then change up for my second. But cheesecake is rich too. Just wanting one at a time doesn't mean lack of drinkability. If you are looking for a strong hop flavor that is not as bitter and undistinguished as a run-of-the-mill IPA, look for the Double Simcoe from Weyerbacher. It definitely gave a fix to this hop head tonight.