Rubber Soul Dropout Double IPA
I was lucky enough to be introduced to Rubber Soul Brewing through a crowler of their outstanding Pogo Double IPA. That big beer was a throwback to the era when double or imperial IPAs were packed with pine resin and a solid hop bite — not the overly fruity, smooth versions we’re graced with today. Dropout Double IPA is also a big IPA, as the name would imply, but it’s not quite as dynamic as that first brew I tried a year ago.
That said, Dropout still provides a solid amount of hoppy goodness from start to finish. Like Pogo, it’s got a bit of an old school vibe which I particularly enjoyed. There’s plenty of pine and grapefruit to go around and at 100 IBU, it packs a solid punch in the bitterness realm. And just like old school imperial IPAs, it’s also presenting a good bit of malt sweetness that does its best to balance out that bite.
While I prefer its sibling, Dropout Double IPA is still a great brew. It’s packed with an old school charm and hints of modern hop traits that make for an enjoyable drinking experience. So far so good with the two brews from this Maryland brewery.