DIPA
Ardent Craft Ales

One of the smoothest IPAs I've ever had. Lotsa body and feel. Great no bitter aftertaste. Ardent DIPA is a quality must try brew and I am not a huge huge IPA fan.

 

 

Smells great but it's served in a small plastic cup on draft at Ardent, and it only gets worse from there. Taste is too malty, very novice-y beer unfortunately. They have a lot of work to do to master the DIPA. Although, I has just tried the #14 IPA right before this, so I might have been spoiled!!

 

Draft. Pours a deep orangish brown. Darkest DIPA I have ever drank. Nice layer of wispy white head that lingered a few minutes. Bubbles from the bottom. Opaque not clear. Nice interesting color. Smells great. Fresh wet hops possibly. Really hoppy. Notes of fruit guessing raisins or apricots to give it that.color. maybe red apples. Very traditional DIPA smell. Tastes very unexpected. I was expected a big upfront bitterness but it isn't there. Little bite but very smooth and refined in the mouth. Very clean. I still can't id the fruit. I'm going with local fresh red apples. Thicker than a regular IPA but that's expected. Little gummy. No real bitterness on the back end. Odd DIPA. Smells like it will bite your face off but it doesn't. Really smooth. I like it a lot. Dangerous because the 9.6% abv is well hidden. Great sippong IPA. Well done! I say that because I generally dislike most IPAs, especially DIPAs. This one is really good.

Poured a copper body with two-finger head and lace ring down glass. Aroma is mostly oily, piney hops with bits of caramel malt. Not a hop-driven or hop-forward beer as the hops give off oily, minor bitter and citric hop notes that balance with a pronounced caramel malt sweetness. Beer is smooth, easy drinking and has good balance between the hops and malts.

 

 

Pours amber, foamy head, solid retention and lacing.

Nose is big hop character - juicy and tropical.

Flavor follows. Huge DIPA but big on the juicy and tropical notes - pineapple and melon over citrus. Very nice, big DIPA.

Big, full body. Finish is long on the sweeter aspects and drying bitter notes. Great brew from Ardent.

 

 

On tap at Southern Railway Taphouse in Richmond, VA. Local DIPA so I gave it a try. Very good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Too piney for my personal preference