Hoperation Overload

Double IPAs are a study in extremes, but too many fizzle out on the palate for lack of character or balance. This one is OK, but that's it – just OK. It stops short of “failing,” but it doesn’t quite succeed either.

The beer pours a clear gold with a fluffy white head that fades quickly (unsurprising in a hop-heavy, high-alcohol beer). The aroma shows low levels of orange and pineapple, with a moderately warm alcohol note. It’s surprisingly restrained, even as the beer warms and with some rousing in the glass.

The citrus hop flavor is moderate and quickly overtaken by intense bitterness, which is fine for the style). The bittering is balanced by the sweet alcohols, which are just a touch hot and linger in the aftertaste. Overall, it yields a balanced but flawed finish. The beer is also fairly syrupy and slick in the mouth. further lowering its score.