Cardigans of the Galaxy by Monday Night Brewing is a Double IPA and is being evaluated as a Double IPA (category 22A in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The focus of the Double IPA style is hops, hops and more hops. Additionally, despite being a high-alcohol content style, Double IPAs are fairly drinkable and lack a heavy malty body, which are more typical traits of beers of this alcohol content. This Double IPA is hopped with Columbus, Mandarina Bavaria, Simcoe, Citra, Ekuanot, Mosaic, Comet and Galaxy hops and measures up at 9.3% abv and 95 IBU.
This Double IPA pours light golden in color, crystal clear, with a fluffy cream-colored head. The aroma is prominently hoppy with resiny, piney, and cedary hops aromas over a hint of nutty malt. The body is medium with a moderate carbonation and a light alcohol warmth. Aggressive hops continue in the flavor with resin and pine notes and a light nutty malt background. A strong bitterness greets the finish along with aggressive resin and pine hop flavors that linger long in the palate. This is a well-brewed Double IPA with the expected aggressive hop focus. Hop heads rejoice!