Mai Tai PA (White Label)
Alvarado Street Brewery

real impressive double version of this classic, neat to get to drink this one, and its hype worthy, crazy to think its all mosaic, cryo in the mix yes, but that this is so mosaic driven is crazy, seems beyond its normal self and not just on the intensity scale, but profile too, tropical, melon and kiwi and white grape notes i dont often associate with mosaic in both nose and taste, bold but not forced or overdone, the cryo cranks the saturation ceiling in a good way. just off from clear, lightly orange tinted but not heavy looking for bring a double, frothy white headed with good retention. the aroma on this is killer, the pineapple side of mosaic yeah, bigtime white grape, melon rind, lemongrass, and white grapefruit, maybe juicy mango too, real ripe and fresh, a little weedy and dank to me but not catty like mosaic can be, bitterness seems about right, nothing too aggressive, and the grain is well out of the way, supportive but not disruptive of the hop trajectory, and that is true in the flavor as well where a simple cereal base is all thats needed. i get an almost gummy snack fruitiness up front here, some sweetness carrying that, really neat, white wine for sure, green snacking grape too, green apple and pear but not estery really, terpenes abound in here, hits of white peach, good fruity sativa, and even lemonade, some dankness for sure, oily on the palate but actually pretty light overall for its strength and hop level, wonderful freshness, new school balance, tidy fermentation, lively carbonation, and even some capacity for refreshment not commonly found in these. really good, pungent and distinctive and about as good as it gets as a showcase of mosaic hops in their full glory!

On tap in Sacramento - looks, smells and tastes like a quintessential WCDIPA. A higher octane version of the OG MaiTai. Wouldn't hesitate to quaff this one again.

 

This is for the Double Mai Tai.
I’m loving this beer right now. Purchased and enjoyed after trying it fresh off the tap at the Monterey brewpub. WCIPA, with a tropical nose and fruity, flavorful sip that just hits all the right notes. Finishes on the light and sweeter side, A wonderful addition to the Mai Tai stable.

 

Had Double Mai Tai (White Label) poured from pint can, bottom stamped "CANNED ON 08/23/2022," and "WC IS ALIVE AND WELL," birthday present from my little bro', into nonic pint.

Pours cloudy gold with 1 & 1/2-finger off-white head, with good retention, leaving some thick, splotchy lace down the glass. Aromas of citrus, stone fruit and hop spice off pour, and as warms lots of lasting (mostly blue) berries and (barley) malt, and a little lime. On tasting, begins nicely bitter over melon and mild malt, with the malt continuing into some pine resin, sweet stone fruit, and a little crisp lime, before a big, bitter, resiny yet still malty finish.

I guess "true West Coast Double IPAs" (brewery puffery) are now cloudy and have a malty finish? PR guys, whuteryuhgonnado. Anyway, this a pretty exhaustive exploitation of Mosaic in a (contemporary American) IPA.

Can poured into an Alvarado Street Brewery pint glass

A: Pours golden amber with a frothy off white head that settles to a firm layer that hangs around and leaves some dense lacing.

S: Almost over ripe tropical and stone fruit, citrus, bubble gum, a little pine, floral and grassy notes, biscuity bready malt, and caramel sweetness.

T: Citrus, lemon, lime and tangerine, tropical and stone fruit, papaya, guava, over ripe mango, apricot, peach, and a hint of pineapple, bubble gum, a little resinous pine, floral, slightly grassy, biscuity bready malt, and caramel sweetness.

M: Medium to full body, moderate carbonation, a bit creamy.

O: It's tough to try and one up an already great beer like Mai Tai PA, especially when its key to success is simplicity. I'd say they did it justice with this double version.

 

Type: 16-oz. can
Reviewed as: American Double / Imperial IPA
Glass: Hawai’i Bowl shaker pint glass
Price: $7.00
From: Lama Dog Tap Room & Bottle Shop in Santa Barbara, Calif.
Purchased: June 12, 2020
Consumed: June 12, 2020
Misc.: Canned on June 3, 2020

Specifically went to Lama Dog for Alvarado St. and came back with four and a Humble Sea beer. I thought I had reviewed the regular Mai Tai, but I hadn’t yet. It is one of the best regular IPAs I’ve had though. This one was labeled as, “Presenting the first Double IPA version of Mai Tai, one that’s been double dry hopped with the very best Mosaic (in pellet and cryo form) we can get our hands on. “Tropical” doesn’t do it justice – all the passionfruit, mango, and guava notes with a heavy blueberry & white wine-like grape presence permeate with each sip, backed by moderate bitterness and a dry, West Coast finish.” Damn that sounds legit.

Poured a medium yellow clear color with two fingers of off-white frothy head. Could see lots of bubble steams coming from the bottom of the glass at regular intervals. Bad watery lacing. Average retention. (Sight - 3.25)

Smelled Mosaic, guava, mango, bitter pine, black pepper, grapefruit peel, mixed viney berry, passion fruit, fruit punch, Juicy Fruit gum and grass. Just as good from the can. World-class on the nose. (Smell - 4.50)

Tasted almost as good as the nose. Just so much Mosaic, which is a great thing for me. In order got Mosaic, guava, mango, bitter pine, black pepper, red grapefruit peel, passion fruit, fruit punch, floral, viney blueberry, Juicy Fruit and grass. (Taste - 4.25)

Medium body. Oily-to-creamy texture. Average carbonation. Long, slightly bitter finish. Lots of tropical. (Feel - 4.50)

This is definitely a banger overall. World-class. (Overall - 4.50)

4.33 | 96 | A

 

 

 

 

 

L: pours straw yellow in color. In terms of complexion, it looks like a slightly unfiltered WCIPA. About a finger of a bubbly stark white cap formed quickly and disappeared just about as quick. Lower end of moderate in terms of lacing.
S: lemon forward with hints of grapefruit, lemongrass and malts. Smells bright and enticing.
T: really nice. Citrus forward with mild malt backbone. Finish is lemony and semi-dry with a cascade of grass and black pepper. After taste is different with a lingering sweetness.
F: light in body, more medium in weight. Moderate carbonation and overall nice feel. Booze is somewhat detectable.
O: I think this is a tasty DIPA. In the Mai Tai lineup, it’s good, but I still think the original and it’s variants are superior. I am glad to try, cheers!

 

 

 

Sweet tropical hoppy nose on this one! Taste follows with juicy, smooth tropical notes and subdued IBUs. Great depth and wonderful feel on this. Good stuff!