Big Barrel Double IPA | Karl Strauss Brewing Company

3.96/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

On tap; into a snifter.
Appearance - sunset orange; nothing breathtaking, but nothing to turn away from.
Smell- I'm not hooked, but there has to be something here.
Taste- there it it is. A distinct, out of the box, oak, vanilla twist to a DiPA. Nothing grand, but leaves it's mark.
Feel - easy drinking DIPA; nicely done!
Overall - there's potential here, but not next level...yet!

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4.75/5  rDev +17.6%

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

4/5  rDev -1%

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

4/5  rDev -1%

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

4/5  rDev -1%

3.58/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

22oz bomber purchased somewhere in Northern California. Brought back to Sydney and shared with @LaitueGonflable.

Pours a deep golden colour with a full weight to the body. Mildly hazed, but mostly pretty clear. Head is pocked, filmy and white, leaving some fairly fine specks of lace. Pretty full. Carbonation is also pretty fine. Looks very good all up.

Nose is pleasant enough. Resiny characters come through above a bright but light barley sugar character. Some soapy lemon comes through, leaving a slight rusty twang in the nostrils. Peppery spice is also noticeable, while the barley sugar character turns a bit doughy as it warms up.

Light and sweet on the front palate, more of that sugar note, before a little greenery comes through the mid-palate, along with a touch of herbs and a faint citrus bite. Clean finish, which is actually something of a shame, because it could really use more bite. Just a slight soda tingle on the back. ABV is well hidden at least.

Overall, this isn't bad. There's certainly things to like in it. It could use a bit more complexity: specifically, some more integrated complexity. Still, this is a solid brew, clearly well-made. I'd love to try it super-fresh as well.

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3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

4/5  rDev -1%

4/5  rDev -1%

3/5  rDev -25.7%

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

4/5  rDev -1%

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

4/5  rDev -1%

3.5/5  rDev -13.4%

3.51/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Pours a vibrant orange colour. Bit of cloud. Head is off-white, sparse bubbling but nice uneven lace. Pleasant.

Smells extremely nutty. Caramel toffee, sweet, earthy, peanut brittle, hazelnut toffee, some citrus zest, salted caramel and marzipan. Sweet more than zesty. Is that a problem? Maybe a slight one.

Taste is a bit cardboardy. Possibly oxidised? Tastes caramel toffee, malty upfront, then gets metallic midway, some slightly old herbs, rocket, some citrus tang. Bitter, bit of freshness but has an empty stale woody flavour as well.

Bit tingly, bit of body to it. OK.

Tastes a bit old, some nice notes but a bit meek. Will attempt to re-try, if possible.

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4/5  rDev -1%

3.5/5  rDev -13.4%