Alpha Deuce IPA
Abbey Wright Brewing Co.

drank on 9.13.08 at Appalachian Brewing Co beer fest.

normally don't write reviews on samples from a beer fest, but had quite a number of samples and ample enough pours to write an adequate review.

thought it looked a little dark, but it was a nice cloudy tannish color. the nose on this beer is quite overpowering. if you are a hop head, it is fantastic, others may think it is too much of a hop nose. you can definitely smell citrus running around.

the taste is a strong, citrusy and hoppy. there are a ton of hops going on in this beer (according to the brewer, about 40 pounds). 4 or 5 different hops used in this beer, which is obvious, as no one hop stands out. mouthfeel is a bit off. the hop flavor is strong and forceful, not as smooth as other doubles out there.

if you are a hop head, you'll love this beer (as I do). nice beer, and a highlight of the brew fest for me.

Served at the Cap City Invitational.

A: The IPA is amber, cloudy with a slightly darker color than more IPAs (let alone DIPAs). Decent head that lasted through 1/2 of the glass.

S: The aroma is intensely hoppy, almost too bitter (but not quite). Lots of grapefruit abounds here, citrusy and very pungent.

T: The taste isn't as focused as the nose but it still delivers a strong bitterness. The citrus flavors are still here, grapefruit, lemon, tangerine, and are paired with a surprisingly robust malt body (nowhere to be found in the nose).

M: The mouthfeel is rich, very accomodating with both the malt and hop sides. The ale, if you love hops, should keep you happy.

D: Very drinkable, this is one of the best ales from the Invitational.

The latest version of this, I am not biased by it being said to have been too bitter. Certainly, the start of the lineup now. 6 hops and 6 malts, with the emphasis on bitterness but not overly so. C-hop here, but not noticeable in the bundle. Very lacey, and creamy in the mouth.