Apr 10, 2019

Appalachian Mountain Brewery Not A Double IPA

Back in August of last year, I managed to get a can of Appalachian Mountain Brewery Not A IPA during a recent trip to the beaches of North Carolina. Eight months later and I received a package of that very beer and it’s bigger sibling, Not a Double IPA.

My review of the standard IPA from August rings true to the samples I tasted this past week, so there’s no need to re-review that particular brew — just know that it’s pretty darn tasty. As for this 8.7% ABV double IPA…. well, it’s pretty damn yummy as well.

The big IPA presents a wonderfully fruity aroma and flavor profile packed with tropical notes of pineapple, tangerine and grapefruit yet isn’t overly fruit-juicy. There’s a good measure of leafy hops, pine and bitterness to keep all those fruit elements in check. The hop bite grabs the tongue firmly but doesn’t overwhelm the palate as everything fades smoothly to a long lasting and lightly warming finish.

Not A Double IPA is not as pungent as I personally prefer in the style, but it’s still a darn tasty brew. I’m glad to see/taste/feel those alpha acids in play — far too often lately we’ve been bombarded by fruit juice bombs. A beer like this excels due to that balance between fruit and bitterness.

Needless to say, both sample cans disappeared from my fridge pretty quickly.

This is a review of a promotional sample.