DC Brau On The Wings of Armageddon
After just the first sip, I knew that this black, foreboding beer can contained something truly wonderful. DC Brau On The Wings of Armageddon (thank you Ryan for sharing) is a 9.2% ABV Imperial IPA that can only be described as world class.
The array of tropical fruit flavors that abound within this beer’s orange, murky depths comes, unbelievably so, from a single hop variety — Falconers Flight™. How the brewery has extracted this much fruity character from a single varietal is a testament to what this small Washington D.C. brewery is more than capable of accomplishing.
Not only does this beer tast amazing, but I think it’s safe to say that its original release didn’t just coincide with the end of the Mayan calendar, but may also have helped bring about an armageddon of its own — that of the canned beer stigma. I would be hard pressed to come up with any effects that canning may have had on this beer. On The Wings Of Armageddon tasted just as fresh, if not fresher than most Imperial IPAs that I’ve had from a bottle. It’s also a brew that meets the high quality of their other well-respected brews.
Appearance
A rocky, tawny cap of foam rests atop the opaque, hazy orange brew.
Aroma
Grapefruit, pineapple, orange, pine resin, a subtle sweetness and a touch of alcohol all present themselves uniformly. The beer smells pretty damn good.
Taste
Sweet merciful crap! Apricot, orange, tangerine, grapefruit… You name it and it’s probably in there. This is one of the most tropical fruit filled IPAs that I’ve had the pleasure of drinking. Combine that with the herbal, piney hop character as well as a touch of caramel malt and you’ve got yourself a beer that is more balanced than a vast majority of its peers. There’s a moderate amount of malt sweetness to accompany the slick mouthfeel and softly warming, drying finish.
Overall
Had I not have already had the likes of Pliny the Elder and other outstanding Imperial IPAs throughout the years, I could see DC Brau On The Wings of Armageddon as a beer epiphany for those that have only supping at macro-brewed table. It’s not an overly bitter IPA and carries a tremendous amount of tropical fruit character and with excellent balance to boot. I absolutely need to get my hands on this beer again.
Rating: 4.75/5
