Spells DIPA
Mikkeller ApS

 

 

 

In true west coast fashion, when the Mikkeller team goes west, they go bitter and dry. Their Spells double IPA is such one that celebrates a radiant hop perfume, a bold fruit ester profile and supportive malt base, but also one that didn't leave any bitterness behind.

Medium and hazy amber, the beer's glowing reddish bulb is crowned with a rich ecru meringue while the bright and fruity fragrance of apricot, grapefruit and pine roll onto the nose. Its caramelized, honey-like taste is moderately toasty of grain and lays tracks of nuttiness on the front of the tongue.

As the ale beer washes the middle palate, the malts begin to fade and the hops rise in a fashion that's more balanced for a standard American IPA rather than a heartier imperial one. Pink grapefruit, freshly zested tangerine and a kiss of lemon leach ahead of the tropical tastes of pineapple, mango and melon. Herbal with a pleasant grassiness, the beer's finish is bitter with a firm grip on the gullet as the resins of pine sap and pepper have a final say.

Medium-bodied and again trending more IPA-like than imperialized, only the spicy tinge of alcohol suggests something more sinister. With remnants of caramel and honey remaining, its the drying action of alcohol, hops and drying malts that lead to much higher rate of drinkability than what's reasonable. A long aftertaste of mulled pine needles and citrus peels ensure a bitterness that extends deep into the next sip.

 

 

 

pale and hazy, more delicate than some of the really yucky looking east coast ones, but still cloudy for an ipa, good inch of white head on top. a little something different for the west coast, less of the oily sweet, more intense bitterness, but also really juicy from the hops, i agree with the other reviewer than fresh mango is an obvious note to this one, but there are more, key lime, apricot, pineapple, not as tropical as i am making it sound because its quite bitter too, very little residual sugar in this. i find the body pretty moderate, maybe some oats or wheat fleshing it out a little bit, but not as heavy as some of these can be. the prominent carbonation helps a lot with that. dramatic bitterness on the back end, a different sort of big ipa here, its not the easiest drinking, but its not boozy either, just potent on the hops. really opens up and improves as it warms up a little bit, nice from the tap. these mikkeller brews made in san diego have been nice so far, i am surprised they havent gotten more attention.

On tap at the SD brewery. Medium-bodied, moderately-carbonated, largely-hopped with floral and grassy flavor, bitter-ish IPA. Mouthfeel is astringent from the overuse of hops, with some mango shining through.