Alpha Abstraction Vol. 3 by Wild Leap Brew Co. is a Double IPA and is being evaluated as a Category 22A in the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines.
This beer pours a gold, bordering dark gold color, with hazy clarity. An off white, sudsy head consisting of big bubbles fades quickly leaving a ring of big bubbles around the glass and a lovely lacing around the glass as its drunk. A grounded aroma consisting of moderate dank notes, bitter orange, tangerine, and low minerality is at the forefront. The sweetness of the malt is evident and of moderate-low intensity with a low grainy malt character. As the beer warms a low ethyl alcohol note manifests and adds to the beers complexity. The flavor consists of a moderate bitterness with a moderate hop flavor of grounded, musty, grassy, dark berry and tangerine notes. A moderate-high malt sweetness, with a low grainy flavor, quickly transitions in to the flavor and present a bitter, candied orange flavor coupled with a low minerality which lasts into the finish. Fermentation character appears to be neutral in this particular example. The balance is only slightly towards the hop bitterness, though the malt sweetness present provides a nice stage to even out the lingering aspect. The aftertaste consists of the bitterness, malt sweetness, citrus, and alcohol. This beer has a medium-light body with medium carbonation. A pleasant alcohol warmth is noticeable in this beer accompanied by a nice creaminess. Despite the increased hop schedule and use of the dry hop, there is no astringency in this beer. Overall, this an exceptional double IPA which showcases traditional American and citrus forwards hops coupled with a lovely malt base to provide a lovely enhancement of the hop profile. I enjoyed the citrus forward, juicy, profile of this beer and found it quite drinkable as a whole although I expected a touch more bitterness out of a Double IPA. However, it is definitely a beer that a Double IPA lover should try if they have the opportunity.