Terrapin "Depth Perception" Double IPA

There are those who would say that an IPA is an inappropriate beer to have during the hot summer months. Those people might double down on a double IPA being just too much for all the heat. Those people would probably also say you shouldn't have a stout, so I'm not going to listen to them. Instead, I'm going to have a double IPA from a brewery that has endeared themselves to me. I particularly like most of the beers from Terrapin, and there's no reason to expect I won't like this one.

The brass-colored beer appeared to be orange while I was pouring it, but it is pretty clearly brass. It is also quite clear, and it has been properly filtered. The head is only somewhat reluctant to come out to play, and it isn't going to be leaving any lacing as it boils down to a thin and uneven layer that completely covers the top of the beer. All the malt is piled up in front of the vaguely floral hops, and the smell is extra sweet and slightly bready.

First sip highlights the floral hops with a mix of toffee and bread malt that presents a solid foundation for the overarchingly sweet beverage. As is typical of the style, the beer is complex and solid. Honestly, I expected nothing less from Terrapin, as these guys from Georgia have demonstrated a particular ability to produce pretty standout beverages.

Tip-in is sweet toffee malt with flowers creating an odd mix as the bread seeps in to make a very strange kind of beer sandwich. The middle sends carbonation to the back of the throat as caramel joins the toffee and bread with a rising sweetness and the flowers are left as decoration that imbue a slight bitterness. The finish is where the bitterness grabs hold while the sweetness stays on the lips to ride the bitter flowers into the trail off.

Bottom Line: Complex and tasty.

3.5/5