Annihilator Double IPA
Haymarket Beer Co. Pub & Brewery

On tap at Haymarket, sampled during the Bronze and Bombs Haymarket riot documentary benefit.

Bright saturated orange, high clarity, with rising trails of carbonation visible. Thin layer of white foam that left a little bit of lacing before dissipating to a thin ring around the edges.

Mellow resiny aroma, earthy and piney. Fairly subtle but still well hopped.

Taste was similarly resiny, it packed a firm bitter punch, with lingering green pine and herbal notes. Medium carbonation, light impression of pale malt though the hops dominate the flavor. Slightly syrupy feel, finishes dry. Overall a bitter, dry, herbal DIPA that explores a different side of the hop spectrum.

On-tap at Haymarket. 4oz taster glass.

A - A finger of light tan foam settles to a thin cap, leaving behind glass-coating lace. Transparent golden body.

S - Candied citrus. There's a hint of toffee in an otherwise bready malt backdrop. Not a huge nose, but pleasant enough.

T - The taste has significantly more pine and earthy hops, with some unpleasant astringency. Malt character is mostly bread, but without the sweetness in the aroma. Medium-low bitterness, but some astringency. Not a big fan of Chinook hops, and this has all the qualities I don't like about them,

M - Medium-light body that seems a bit small for a DIPA. Lower carbonation, slightly juice-like, with an oily and resinous finish. No alcohol present, which is appreciated.

D - A solid DIPA undermined by a thoroughly middling flavor. Replacing the Chinook with something else might help, although I can't say for certain that's what caused the astringency.

First visit to the Haymarket Brewery and had a chance to taste the Annihilator Double IPA. This is hopped with nugget, centennial, chinook, and cascade hops...followed by a dry-hop with more cascade. The beer poured a rich clear copper color that had creamy white head, which left a nice lace on the glass. The smell include bitter (grapefruit) citrus and subtle pine notes. The taste was fairly complex started fairly smooth then a burst of grapefruit and bitterness followed. The mouthfeel was good, low carbonation and medium body. Overall I liked this IPA the best (7GA and Preception being the other). I really wanted to have the Mathias...but it was out.