Double Dragon
Asbury Park Brewery

Poured from undated 12 oz. can into a Spiegelau IPA glass. It pours an attractive ruby-orange color with a large, fluffy, ecru-colored head and thick, soapy lacing. You don't see many local DIPAs this color. The nose is primarily caramel malt with some soft lemon and grapefruit notes and floral hops. It's an unusual flavor. It opens with malty caramel notes like an English IPA and there is the expected lemon, grapefruit, and resinous pine but there is an unanticipated, tangy berry taste , as well. It finishes with a strong and bitter bite worthy of its 80 IBU. The website simply says it has a "complex hop bill." I've honestly never tasted anything quite like this. I can best describe it as a West Coast IPA with a berry twang. It's mouth feel is lite and a bit thin, with pleasant carbonation, and this batch is potent at 9% ABV. Overall, I'm not quite sure what to make of this DIPA. There's nothing wrong with it; it's just unique.

At the Barcade in Jersey City, poured into a snifter. Amber-y for an IPA. Darker color, darker flavors. Biscuit bitterness with some citrus notes. Pretty easy to drink for an 8.5% brew. Not what I'm usually expecting for the style but I'd order it again.