Amorphous Double IPA
Haymarket Beer Co. Pub & Brewery

 

 

 

On-tap at Haymarket. Served in a 4oz taster glass.

A - Finger of white foam settles to a thin cap, thicker collar, and glass-coating lace. Slightly hazed dark golden body.

S - Zesty rye, touch of onion, citrus rind and flesh, some mild pine, and a hint of sugar malt in the background.

T - Taste is similar, with spicy rye malt and a mix of citrus zest and piney hops. Again, a hint of onion that I occasionally get from Citra hops. Other than the rye there isn't a ton of malt depth, but that's OK at 7%.

M - Not as dry as you'd expect from a Rye beer but still fairly crisp. Medium bodied, chewy texture, with pleasant medium-low carbonation.

D - I really enjoyed this one, and found the broad mixture of hops pretty interesting. I also dug the West Coast malt and hop balance (or lack thereof). I'd definitely a full glass of this one, and I really love that Haymarket doesn't' feel the need to make giant high-alcohol DIPAs.

Served in an imperial pint glass at the brewpub.

Had to follow up my pulled pork sandwich with some hops. This stuff is described as a "double rye IPA". It pours a clear sunset brass topped by a finger of off-white foam. The nose comprises grapefruit peel, light rye spice, very light caramel, and mandarin orange flesh. This woulda been so much better if it had been a touch stronger...just sayin'... The taste brings in more of the same, with the grapefruit coming through even rindier and the caramel coming through a bit sweeter. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda dry and sticky finish. Overall, a nice rye DIPA, though I think it's a bit too demure for it's own good. Maybe it's just me...