Stoudt’s Double IPA
I’ve been on an IPA kick of sorts in the old homestead the past couple of weeks. Near perfect August weather will do that to a man I suppose. Cool mornings and evenings along with cloudless skies made the past couple of days a great weekend. What better way to fully take advantage of that weather than with a tasty brew in hand, sun in your face and the kid running through the sprinkler in the front yard.
Amid the shrieks of joy from the little one, I sat on the front steps enjoying Stoudt’s bottle conditioned Double IPA. I’ve only had one other Stoudt’s beer (their Oktoberfest), so I was pretty excited about this one.
Appearance
The Double IPA pours a golden amber in color with a decent sized head. There’s a slight haze to the liquid, but no heavy floaters. The head left a sticky lacing during the beer’s duration.
Aroma
Hops and citrus dominate the nose on this one. There’s a slight spice presence that really compliments the hops nicely, leaving a well balanced aroma. I also got a subtle waft of alcohol that was far from overpowering.
Taste
Wow. This is one of the tastier IPAs I’ve had in a while. And as a “double” it’s not overly hoppy or bitter, but is quite well balanced and even throughout each swallow. It’s crisp, refreshing and left a pleasant tanginess in the finish. The alcohol was there, but well masked by the beer’s flavor.
Overall
I couldn’t have selected a better beer for the moment. Stoudt’s Double IPA is a prime example of the style, leaving me wishing I had picked up a few more bottles at the store. Well balanced, yet complex enough for the more discerning craft beer fan, this one will leave you with a smile long after it’s gone from your glass.
Rating: 4/5