Embrace The Loss
Ocelot Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pronounced hops in this double IPA is not hidden by 8% ABV. Both pine and citrus notes over very moderate malt background. This is DIPA. I like it.

 

 

 

 

One of their best DIPA's IMO. Had to get a sixtel of it.

Best Ocelot IPA yet. These guys continue to crank out great beers and I continue to drink them. Lots of citrus notes. I compare it to Hill Farmstead S&S #4,but perhaps better to my palate.

Aromatically, this doesn't have Watch Me Disappear's intensity (or amazing Citra character), but it still brings something unique to the table. Namely, it brings a pulpy, intense grapefruit character, almost like a good juice. Touches of malt sweetness and grassy bitterness still remind me this is beer, at least. Its flavor profile brings a similar level of pungency to it. There's a very grapefruity bite to start, before mellowing out into a gentle fruit punch flavor. Malts are subdued throughout, though the bitterness never becomes excessive. While it's right on the edge of DIPA at 8%, it remains light and drinkable for the style. This isn't quite as stunning as Watch Me Disappear, but still one of the better Virginia DIPAs I've ever had. Ocelot is going places, that's for sure.

3.83/5: Could Ocelot be the best IPA brewer in Virginia?

The beer pours a nice white head that dissipates quickly. The beer itself is a nice clear pale gold that sometimes appears to be a deep straw color and is fairly enticing to the eyes. This beer looks a bit paler than most of its style but it still seems to work rather well.

The smell is extremely hoppy, yet complex. There does not seem to be a main hop note that dominates the others. Rather, a variety of hop notes varying from citrus notes to floral to a light apricot and some resin that comes in the aftertaste. There is also a slight malt sweetness to it but not by much.

The taste is extremely hoppy and pretty good. Thehop notes are mainly a strong resin note with a bit of the juicy citrus hanging around. There is a nice lingering resin aftertaste.

The beer has a nice feel to it. It's definitely a heavier bodied beer but doesn't feel like it. The carbonation makes it feel lighter and I'm guessing the malt content isn't as high as other DIPAs, which would explain why it's really hoppy.

Overall, a pretty good and hoppy beer. It's not as sweet as others in the style but it's still a must have. Otherwise, you'll just have to . . . embrace the loss.