Dubble IPA
Pivnica Star Grad Old Town Brewery

More confusion from Temov Brewery (Pivnica Star Grad Brewery). Listed simply as IPA on the breweries’ take out menu, yet labeled Dubble [sic] IPA on the bottle even though it is only 5% ABV. To compound matters further, the breweries’ brew pub titles their Double IPA on tap “Phonia” and also at 5%. Not being sure if it’s the same beer, I’ll add this as “Dubble IPA” as its name. I’ll list it as an English IPA simply because I sure as hell cannot list a 5% ABV brew as a DIPA. Sorry for all the long winded confusion!
Pours a clear amber and copper color. The head is relatively modest with below average retention, yet some lacing throughout.
The aroma opens fruity and floral with notes of stone fruit, citrus and some herbal dank. Specific aromatic descriptors include peach, nectarine, grapefruit and tangerine, as well as a touch of caramel malt.
Highly attenuated, with a dry cracker malt flavor, bitter and hops forward overall. Muted hops flavors of dry peach, grapefruit pith, grass, pine resin and floral hops. The finish is astringent, dry and with a lingering hops bitterness and resin.
On the light side of medium bodied, and a bit thin for the style. Feels a bit like a session IPA. Crisp mouthfeel with a moderate carbonation.
I appreciate Temov Breweries’ contribution as Macedonia’s 1st and only microbrewery. I have enjoyed some of their offerings. This one is unfortunately an exception. In my opinion, the astringent finish and the excessive dryness make it taste too much like one of my own home brews. Although my home brews aren’t bad, I expect better from the pros.