Ithica Creeker
I’m a big fan of the double IPA. Any time you can pack in double the hops, double the malt and double the alcohol, I’m game. Unfortunately, what is typically called a DIPA is more an imperial IPA, meaning it’s usually just hoppier than your standard IPA. There’s no malt richness to counter balance that increased hop profile. And that’s sort of where Ithica’s Creeker sits.
I would classify this 8.5% ABV beer more as an imperial IPA than anything in the “double” realm. The beer certainly has a good bit of hop character with plenty of floral notes, citrus and soft pine, but it lacks the pungency of what I consider a double IPA. Creeker isn’t a bad beer by any means, but this is one of those situations simliar to a brewery is calling a 5.2% ABV pale all, sessionable. It’s not really all that accurate.
Despite my short diatribe above, I did enjoy Creeker and its mellow hop character. I does taste pretty darn good, but it just doesn’t live up to what I have come to expect as a double IPA. There’s just not enough malt sweetness, pungent hop flavors or richness to earn that label.