Double IPA
Raquette River Brewing

 

One inch of off-white foam is tight, settling to half an inch within the first few minutes, then holding another five or ten minutes before vanishing to a thin blanket. Below that, is a clear, light to medium amber (SRM 5-8). As the head dissipates, light clouds of fine lacing form on the Strangebird IIPA glass. Meanwhile, below, clouds of fine carbonation swirl with each sip.

The aroma is sweet, with the inevitable resinous hops. Pine and orange pith work together to provide a very juicy quality. Mango and sweet floral scents come on late.

The flavor is sweet with floral hops and a backhanded strong bitterness that comes on with tangerine and pine. The finish is strong, with an odd, sweet/bitter conflict that lingers, allowing bitterness to ultimately win out.

It has a light to medium body and a creamy texture. Alcohol is less than expected, as is the mild carbonation. It has a mild astringency and mild metallic notes.

I found this to be an easy drinking IIPA. It would be nice if this caught on in popularity. I wish I had purchased a four-pack. The can date is 4 Oct 2024 and I drank it on 16 Nov 2024. The above aroma, flavor, and palate scores are based on style, hence the apparent disparity with the impression score.

Was surprised how good this was on draft. Interesting nose, hints of cannabis, even coffee. Not sure if the coffee was from the coffee food truck located nearby! Good taste. Solid beer.

Had on tap. Pours clear, gold in color with one quarter inch head. Taste is big pine and toasted malt. Medium body and carbonation, bitter. Very good for style. Nice and clean. Will get again.

 

No date on the can.
Medium amber color with an off white head that left streaks and spatters of lace on the glass.
The aroma is classic pine and citrus hops with an underlying caramel malt sweetness. Notes of glazed donuts, crushed flower petals and spent grain.
The flavor develops as it warms, but not a lot. Sort of thin on malt sweetness but since bittering is not strong it stays in balance if tame for a Dbl IPA.
Mellow, grain character comes forward as the beer comes up to temp lending some body to an otherwise light, over attenuated profile. Sharp hop flavors of evergreen and grass work into the mild caramel on granola base giving it some interesting complexity.
The body is thin for style but makes for a very drinkable, small batch beer from an area that has long needed a local brewery.
Finish is clean and hoppy with a lingering pine needle and herbal dryness and a warm tingle of alcohol.