Stoudts Double IPA
Note: This beer was tasted while on vacation in the Poconos (PA) and Binghamton (NY), and is part of my Vacation Beers 2009 series.
Sometimes one encounters a beer that does not fit the typical beer mold. Often such beers are not good, but on rare occasions a departure from the ordinary can be a good thing. Defined styles gives producers and consumers common expectations for tastes, and only rarely do differences result in a good beer. Stoudts Double IPA is one such exception that should be embraced and encouraged.
A bottle conditioned India Pale Ale (IPA) from Adamstown, PA, this beer starts out announcing its departure from the IPA mold. When poured, it has a amber/yellow color, whereas most IPAs are much darker. It has a very light head, and has a small amount of continual carbonation. When smelled, it exhibits the normal hop aroma of an IPA, but one notices sweet undertones. Not something that immediately reveals itself, but it might be the scent of honey. This reviewer has never encountered a sweet smelling IPA, so this was quite a surprise- and made me pessimistic for the tasting.
When tasted, the beer indeed has a sweet IPA taste. This sweetness hides part of the hoppiness of the beer, and although quite different than most IPAs, this is certainly an enjoyable IPA. Many complain that IPAs are too heavy, but because of the sweetness, this IPA is much lighter in taste (and might be thus more enjoyable to the anti-IPA crowd).
Usually double IPAs have an even hoppier flavor, but Stoudts Double IPA masks this with the sweetness. Be forewarned, as a double IPA this beer is fortified with 10% alcohol, so this is a beer to be consumed when one does not have to drive. Two of these are the equivalent to four regular beers in terms of alcohol content. Many IPA purists might not enjoy this beer, but it is an enjoyable beer (and the hops taste does indeed sneak up on you in the aftertaste). Its light taste lends itself well to being chilled and enjoyed on a hot summer day.
Cheers,
Owen
For more info: Stoudt's Brewing Company
Follow Owen on Twitter: twitter.com/lothar97
Comments
What? How and where did this Stoudt's end up? Officially, they don't distro to Cali, but I remember while living in LA one or two 6-pks would end up at the Beverage Warehouse or a random Wild Oats (now Whole Foods). Jealous!
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