Wave Jammer
Alvarado Street Brewery

Type: 16-oz. can
Reviewed as: New England Double / Imperial IPA
Glass: Pure Project 14-oz. Teku glass
Price: $7.25
From: Bottlecraft Beer Shop in North Park (San Diego), Calif.
Purchased: April 13, 2021
Consumed: April 21, 2021
Misc.: Canned on March 24, 2021

Grabbed two of these after picking up a few at Bottlecraft for a quick mini-can share at Sonny’s with Darin in town. We had it that day and I gave a half-pour a 4.00 on Untappd, writing “Tons of hop burn. Going to let the other can mellow for a bit. May change the rating later. Split with Darin.” Online description was “No jet ski necessary to indulge in the tropical bliss squeezed out of the hop oils in this double IPA. Enhanced by a colorful yeast strain that hones in on the Simcoe and Mosaic hops and turns them into magic. Chewy, silky body courtesy of Mecca Grade Wickiyup hard red wheat from Oregon.”

Poured a light golden hazy color with 2-to-3 fingers of white frothy head. Plenty of bubbles coming up along the sides of the glass. World-class foamy lacing. Very good retention. (Sight - 4.25)

Smelled both the Simcoe and Mosaic right away. Also papaya, mango, stone fruit, floral, rose blossom, strawberry, bubblegum, pine and even light banana. Pretty good from the can, too, but got lots of hop burn. (Smell - 4.00)

Still a lot of hop burn on the taste. Got Simcoe, Mosaic, papaya, mango, stone fruit, floral, rose blossom, strawberry, bubblegum, pine, grass and light banana. Seemed boozier than 8.1 pct. ABV, seeming more like a NE TIPA. (Taste - 4.00)

Medium body. Oily texture. Lively carbonation. Long, boozy, bitter finish. (Feel - 3.75)

Outstanding overall, but still not as good as I was hoping it would be. (Overall - 4.00)

3.99 | 89 | B+

 

Great NE style DIPA. Super smooth, super juicy, and tons of hops. There's so much flavor you don't notice the alcohol. The only thing I don't like is it bites at your throat. Kinda like when you murder a bag of skittles and you have that rough throat and mucus. Overall great beer though, highly recommend.

Can poured into an Alvarado Street Brewery beer glass

A: Pours hazy golden amber with a frothy off white head that slowly settles to a firm layer and leaves some thick lacing.

S: Tropical and stone fruit dominates, a little pine and citrus, biscuity slightly bready malt, caramel sweetness, and a

T: Tropical and stone fruit, guava, apricot, peach, mango, passion fruit, and hints of banana, resinous pine, a little citrus, orange marmalade and lemon, biscuity slightly bready malt, faint wheat twang and caramel sweetness, with a touch of alcohol that can poke through as it warms.

M: Medium to full body, moderate carbonation, creamy with a touch of alcohol warmth.

O: They pulled out all the fruity goodness for sure. A little on the sweet side and the alcohol pokes through a bit more than I'd like, but still rather tasty.

Poured into a tulip glass. A hazy bright yellow color with a medium white head that lingered nicely. Big citrus and tropical aromas and flavors with an herbal undercurrent. A very soft feel. Really well done.

 

 

 

Sweet tropical hoppy aromatics with hints of orange citrus! Absolutely fantastic, soft on the palate swallow! Taste follows with low IBUs for a double. Very crushable for 8.1% ABV...Great!

 

 

 

 

 

 

On draft at Mikkeller DTLA. Medium darker copper golden body, one finger white head. Tropical fruit, grapefruit, a bit of leafy pine, mild caramel sweetness. Mild yeasty banana. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, good carbonation, smooth and mildly bitter floral pine finish. Nice double IPA, not too much bitterness to it which is great.