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Did I already complain about these guys claiming to be a Burlington company while they are, in fact, out of Williston Vermont? I did? Well, let's assume I gave the same rant for the first paragraph of this review as well. I picked this beer up because it was new to me, it was a double IPA, and it has an awesome name. The questionable can art didn't really tip the scales either direction. I've been in the mood for a good double IPA ever since a friend came into town, and he commented about particularly liking doubles. It turns out, I had this one in the fridge, but it took me a few days to get to it.
The quite hazy orange beer once again demonstrates that a thinning glass will turn an orange beer yellow. There isn't a whole lot of head that gets generated in the first place, and retention is almost enough to keep an entire layer of bubbles across the top of the beverage. There is going to be some lacing left behind, and I can certainly appreciate that. The aroma is herbal with tropical fruits added to it and a rather thick malt. What kind of malt is it? Let me take a taste of the beer to tell you, because I can't tell from the smell.
First sip is rather thick, smooth, and the unique way that double IPAs bring the malt to hops results in a malt that tastes almost like it was derived from oats while the tropical hops merge into flowers and herbs. They only highlight the existing sweetness and smoothness of the malt. It's a very good sip, and the 8% ABV is not hiding particularly well, but I'm okay with that.
Tip-in is notable carbonation burn on top of the dried oat malt that brings tropical fruits with it. The middle opens up into an almost delicate and enjoyable drink of some delightful tropical hops floating on top of a very mild version of the oatmeal malt. The finish is sudden bitterness atop flowers and herbs before tropical fruits once again bring sweetness for the trail off.
Bottom Line: It's a complicated beverage, just like being a wizard, but even being a wizard sounds like fun.
3.75/5
