DDH Double Something Simcoe
Finback Brewery - Glendale

I'm pretty sure I've at least had Double Something Simcoe before, but not sure if I've had its younger brother. This is an amped-up version of DSS with, duh, a double dry-hop addition of one of America's best hops. Yeah, I went there. I said it. Simcoe is amazing. Recently, I had a can of DDH Simcoe Bomb by Sloop and it blew my mind (and in a very different way than the non-DDH Simcoe Bomb, I might add, lending credence to this hop being otherworldly-good when used right), so I'm hoping this is kinda like that but even stronger, and with that Finback je ne sais quoi.

The pour is nice; cloudy, bordering opaque but not quite thick enough to truly be that obscuring. A good orange color with a healthy haze to it, I'll say. Excellent eggshell-white head with pretty solid retention; goes from two fingers at its highest point to a half-finger that leaves behind very nice, sticky lace patterns with great legs to boot. Nothing wrong here, whatsoever. Very good appearance.

Simcoe is usually known for its pine and citrus underpinnings, but I've learned that it brings out some immense tropical fruit and grassy/spicy complexity at times as well, especially with some other hops. Although this is (probably) single-hopped with this varietal, I still pick up a bit of passion fruit and papaya with a hint of sticky-sweet mango as well, in the background. As expected, though, I still get a lot of pink grapefruit/pomelo, lots of crazy resinous notes, and a helping of pine needles along with some elements of tangerine and even a little nectarine as well. Lots going on, and it's all good. Not surprised. And now very excited to drink it.

Flavor is a bit sweeter than I expected, though the nectarine and grapefruit come out even more here and really give this an intense character. More tropical flavors as the nose foreshadowed; getting a lot of papaya and passion fruit for sure. A hint of earthy spice and light notes of fresh-cut grass with a firm, resinous bitterness in the finish. Doughy malt and yeast in the mid give this some heft, and it definitely drinks strong (actually feels a bit higher than 8.5%, to be honest), so this one is a sipper. However, it's definitely worth sipping because, well, it's really damn tasty. Give it a go if you find it!

 

16 oz can with 12/1/20 stamped on the bottom.

Pours with a medium to full throttle haze, creamy and lasting cap. Leaves a load of sheeting and fine lacing on the glass.

Mild sniff of ripe pineapple.

On the palate its smooth and tasty, notes of lime, ginger, more pineapple, mango and a finishing resiny hop note...delicious...go get some

 

Another excellent DDH DIPA from Finback. Light , clear golden color, 4F head in a Spielgelau IPA glass. Fruit, melon, a little earthy, floral, and a little sweet. Smooth MF.