Boatswain Double IPA (Twin Screw Steamer)
Minhas Craft Brewery

Boatswain Double IPA (Twin Screw Steamer)Boatswain Double IPA (Twin Screw Steamer)
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From:
Minhas Craft Brewery
 
Wisconsin, United States
Style:
Imperial IPA
Ranked #2,096
ABV:
8.4%
Score:
64
Ranked #28,398
Avg:
2.7 | pDev: 28.15%
Reviews:
201
Ratings:
555
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 09, 2024
Added:
Nov 20, 2011
Wants:
  5
Gots:
  92
Brewed & Canned by: Rhinelander Brewing Co. LLC, Monrow, WI
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Rated: 3.25 by Patches826 from Massachusetts

Mar 09, 2024
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Reviewed by pabs84 from Iowa

3.87/5  rDev +43.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is a lot tastier than many of the reviews give it credit for. Yes, it’s true, it does miss the mark in terms of being a DIPA. If one looks at it more as like a craft beer malt liquor, though, or a cheap, brown sugaryish, quasi-barely wine, ehh... I don’t know... seems pretty dang good to me. It actually wears better, too, than a whole bunch of craft beers that cost twice as much. This could be blasphemous for me to say (and I really don’t care if it is or isn’t), but I probably prefer this over Dogfishhead 90 Minute, even if there is a bit of an off vinegary (& black licorice possibly??) note in the flavor. Um, is it possible that people are simply being too fussy in how they’re rating this? Or am I not being fussy enough? Hmm, I’m gonna go with the former for now.
Jan 20, 2024
 
Rated: 2.33 by Rollmeaway2loadout from Illinois

Oct 29, 2023
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Rated by DrDookus from Oregon

2.79/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25
Kind of a cider-y small. High ABV but would not assume it was an IPA, nor a double IPA, based on taste and smell alone.
Sep 16, 2023
 
Rated: 2.41 by saymike32 from New Jersey

May 12, 2023
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Reviewed by MadMadMike from France

2.59/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5
12 ounce can for a dollar from Trader Joe’s. Pours ok, little head stays.
Stinks. It’s pretty rank on the nose.
Tastes unfocused and strange. A malt backbone saves it. But as the brew warmed, I considered a sink pour, but obliged myself to finish. Glad I only got one. I don’t want another.
Feels kinda thick, mid carbonation.
Overall.,. yuck. Not a Belgian. Not a double IPA. Malt liquor would be a compliment.
Apr 26, 2023
 
Rated: 3.33 by LXIXME from New Mexico

Apr 19, 2023
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Reviewed by Nateive

4.08/5  rDev +51.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
It reminds me of a less bitter, less complex version of arrogant bastard, which I truly love. I would also compare this to a winter warmer, another style I enjoy. I think arrogant bastard used special B malt, which I don't detect in this beer. It is very malt with some pleasant bitterness in the aftertaste. I would buy this again. Trader Joe's sells this for a fantastic price for a 6 pack. This is not a hazy or juicy dipa.
Apr 17, 2023
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Reviewed by BAKOJAX from California

2.5/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
Poured 12 oz. can into neculated muffin top glass. Pleasing Dark Amber color. Seemed to have an abundant amount of lacing in the glass. About 3 fingers of head immediately developed. A couple of tastes of head alone gave me a bit of lightheadedness. Faint malt aroma, heavy fruitiness. Taste for me was not all that appealing. Mouth was smooth with a hint of bitterness at the end. I guess I am not an IPA guy. Probably this is my one and only 6 pack to go.
Feb 13, 2023
 
Rated: 2.34 by hana_blanc

Dec 02, 2022
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Reviewed by eddingsaur from North Carolina

3.89/5  rDev +44.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Ahhhh, the vaulted (approximately) $0.85 IIPA offering at the world famous watering hole: Trader Joe's. Expectations set to overly critical, thumbs set to overdrive. Here we go:

There's a number of bad reviews of this beer here on Beer Advocate, and yes, I completely see where most of them are coming from. I mean really - is this REALLY a IIPA?? Where's the citrus? Where's the pine? Where's that gorgeous gorgeous (it says 75 IBUs on the can, but I'm guessing that's a typo) bitterness? Other than the ABV, an IIPA this is not.

And a Belgian? It's not even that great a Belgian! Sure it's got the sweetness, and maybe it could (barely) pass the mouthful test, but where's the dark fruit complexity? Where's the depth? Where's the hooded monks slaving over a barrel of dark, sumptuous, gloriously syrupy ale? A Belgian it clearly is not.

So then, what is this monstrosity of a (about) $0.85 per can beverage? What is it? And why did I just score it 4?

Boatswain Double IPA, 8.4%, poured from can into a clear double-sided microwave and dishwasher safe coffee mug from Costco.

L: It says "Appearance- Deep Amber" in all caps on the can. It's not the deepest of amber I've ever seen on a beer, but it's not in "this is false advertising" territory either. This is a pretty heavy pour - just-finished-assembling-some-furniture-and-I-want-a-beer-quick type pour. It's got quite a bit of a head that dissipates in a fair amount of time. There is lacing on the glass, so that's a plus. Under the light it's, like I said, not the deepest of amber. It's cloudy, with the lightest of fizz. It's not bad for what it is - and it's a...

S: Oooooooh. Sweeeet. Like peach and biscuits and a little vanilla. It's malty - you can smell the sweet molasses-ey maltiness of this. It's almost like a...

T: Malt. Malt. Malt. Malt sweetness hits first. I'm guessing they use a fair amount of crystal malt. There's a very slight hint of that peach, a little banana, and a little bit of that sweet vanilla that hits too. There's a little hint of that hop bitterness, it's there. More pine than citrus, not overly complex. And then there's the aftertaste. I'm writing like that's a bad thing - it's not. It's pleasant, honey sweet maybe? And it lingers for a bit. I like it, personally. All things considered, it's a pretty straightforward ale - malt biscuit sweet with enough bitterness to balance it out. A complete letdown as an IIPA, but it's pretty good as a...

F: I'm nearly at the end of this glass. Relishing every last drop to fill this review in. Maybe one mouthful left. Instantly regretting letting my wife try some, but hey, a shared beer is a good beer. It's syrupy, like a honey lemon drink made by someone with one too many pots of honey in their kitchen. And it lingers too - in your mouth and on your lips. It clings to your throat and sinuses. Or that's just the weather talking. It's thick, and glossy, and what you'd expect from a...

Malt liquor. Actually more like a double amber ale. I mean it's got everything an amber would have but, like, doubled. I actually like my British style ambers with their sweet malt biscuitiness and their simplicity. And I like this beer. As an amber, it does exactly what you'd expect and a little more, and as a malt liquor, you get a complexity that very few $0.85 (about) a can a beer can get you. It's easy to drink, it's accessible, it's all-round pretty good. And I'd probably get a few more. Once I get over the expected hangover.

TLDR: It's less than a dollar bought at Trader Joe's. It's not Chimay, or Pliny, or whatever IIPA is in fashion. But it's not Kingfisher Strong, or Red Horse, or some bottom shelf nonsense. It's a good, marginally complex ale that I'd recommend to new drinkers who'd like to try something different.
Nov 21, 2022
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Reviewed by BirdieKing69 from New York

3.41/5  rDev +26.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This is a great starting point if your not familiar with double IPA's. Not to strong, but enough of a kick! Yes, there is a slight aftertaste that is kinda weird. But this is a totally drinkable beer and so affordable! Give this one a taste! I will definitely buy this again! Thank you Trader Joe's!
Sep 04, 2022
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Reviewed by rktrat from Massachusetts

3.19/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
I love the reviews I read for this beer I was given a 6-pack by my daughter's boyfriend I think it's pretty good and now that I know it's so cheap I like it even better
Sep 01, 2022
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Reviewed by ReverendSoup from Massachusetts

2.4/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
This is an odd one.
It tastes like a Belgian ale trying really, really hard to be an Imperial IPA- and not a great Belgian either, too thin to be a Belgian. Almost no bitterness. Not a lot of complexity in the flavors here. Could be improved by picking, once and for all, what this beer wants to do with its life, and then either adding citrus peel to make it more Belgiany or more hops to make it more Imperial. It does not taste double hopped, but it definitely hits like a double IPA at 8.4%, while also being five bucks a 6-pack at Trader Joe's... so, that does sway my review here. If it were any more expensive or tasted any worse, I'd say it's not worth it. But, as it's less than a dollar a can for a drinking experience that is not overtly unpleasant, I'll say it's a good value for its price. Will likely buy again next time my job cuts my hours.
Aug 26, 2022
Photo of Guzzler1950
Reviewed by Guzzler1950 from Oregon

3.04/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
This is my 1st attempt at submitting a "rating" on this site.
The plethora of "beer snobs" and their command of "beer speak" on this siteis impressive.
Here's my "review" . . .
I agree with the notion that this brew's taste is more Belgian, than IPA . . . Nevertheless, it's "in-your-face" flavor is pretty good
With an ABV of 8.4% and a price point that can't be beat . . . this is the perfect "get buzzed quick" brew
BTW, it pairs well with most sativas ;-)
Aug 13, 2022
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Reviewed by LARod

1.82/5  rDev -32.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 1.5
Let me start out by saying this beer sucks. All of the Boatswain beers taste awful. But given todays current inflation the price point cannot be beat. At $4.99 plus deposit and tax it’s still a great value. This is how I get around that nasty taste. Just add a tsp of fresh lime juice more or less depending on taste. Now you have a Corona on steroids just don’t pore in a clear glass. Lol
Jul 16, 2022
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Reviewed by BillAfromSoCal from California

2.82/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
nice amber color, but the head is massive loose bubbles like root beer or cola that lasts maybe 1 minute. no lacing. overtly malty smell and taste. unremarkable mouthfeel. much more like a badly executed Belgian than any kind of IPA. My wife called it disgusting.
Jun 15, 2022
Photo of pianoguy
Reviewed by pianoguy from Washington

3.67/5  rDev +35.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Overall; This beer reminds me a lot of Pyramid brewing's Outburst IPA. A dominating sweet malt bill. Nothing citrusy about the European type hops. Along with a high ABV. If you like Outburst you will like this beer. Very much a 90's type beer...

12 Oz can. No package date. Poured into a pint glass

Pours a light orange/honey colored body with a white head. Not much retention. A few rings of speck lacing.

Nose is very understated. I'm getting sweet malt with a tiny whiff of German style hops.

Taste is very reminiscent of Pyramid brewing's Outburst IPA. Hops under the radar along with a dominating sweet malt bill

Feel is appropriate for the style.

Overall-see first paragraph
Jun 03, 2022
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Rated by sb719 from Colorado

1.44/5  rDev -46.7%
look: 5 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1
Lol, this would be an acceptable Belgian strong ale... Slap in the face if you expect a double IPA!!!
Apr 21, 2022
Photo of JaxonDelgado
Reviewed by JaxonDelgado

4.65/5  rDev +72.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
An excellent DIPA. Easy to drink. I enjoyed straight out of the can as well as in a glass. Has a strong, hoppy aftertaste that feels good in the back of the throat.
Mar 13, 2022
Boatswain Double IPA (Twin Screw Steamer) from Minhas Craft Brewery
Beer rating: 64 out of 100 with 555 ratings