Sneaky Pete IPA
I first had this brew back in March and have since enjoyed it on several occasions. The beer is contract brewed by Idaho’s Laughing Dog Brewing for the Kysela Pere et Fils company — a beer and wine distributor/importer right down the road from me in Winchester, VA. I’ve had a few Laughing Dog beers and I’ve got to say that this may be their best IPA to date.
Brewed with a combination of five hop varieties (Simcoe, Glacier, Centennial, Vanguard and Hallertauer) and three malts (Honey Malt, Rye Malt, and Munich Malt), this double IPA is a big, fruity and tasty brew that reminds me of Bells Hopslam to a degree. It’s not necessarily a clone, but it’s pretty darn close in terms of flavor profile. Regardless, it’s a well crafted brew with a large hop character for you hop heads out there.
Appearance
The beer pours a dark amber in color with a large khaki head.
Aroma
The nose is packed full of citrus hops: pineapple, grapefruit and orange. You can smell this beer a while away. A decent bit of malt sweetness is in the mix, as well as herbal notes and a touch of honey.
Taste
This 10% ABV brew isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s not a hop bomb per se, but it’s a big beer with a large hop footprint. The brew is actually quite balanced between the hops and malts for a split second before a tidal wave of tropical fruits and pine wash over the palate with a decent level of bitterness that’s not too biting. The medium bodied nature of the brew helps push the hops over the tongue toward the long lasting finish. There is a honey element in there, but it doesn’t keep a consistent presence, washing in and out amongst the hops periodically.
Overall
This brew surprised me to tell you the truth. I picked up the first bottle on a whim, but have since bought more. It’s a big, tasty double IPA with plenty of hop character and more. The Hopslam-like nature of the brew makes it the solid alternative for those in the mood for that hard sought after brew — I’ve seen Sneaky Pete readily available in a couple different stores. It’s not quite up to the same level as the Bell’s brew, but still a tasty brew regardless.
Rating:4/5