Double Nickels
Docent Brewing

 

Dark orange brew with minimal foam in the tumbler. roma of bark, kind of musty with some roasted grain. Resins and malt in the taste. It's quite hoppy and bitter. Tangy and even winey tasting. Dark woody bitterness but also some sweet tea. Overall it's a strange one and not help by the anemic carbonation from the tap. On tap at Heritage BBQ in Capistrano.

 

Double Nickels is a great example of why APA is my favorite style.
a) Clear lace gold.
s) fainter than a Dales but clean, pine, bright.
t) Follows but fill out from. the aroma.
f) Extra points for extra clean and bittering finish.
o) Great APA. Classic

On tap at Native Son Alehouse in Downtown Santa Ana, CA.

I’m usually good with Docent. I haven’t had a lot, but from what I’ve had, I’m good for it. For me, I thought it was like being 14 all over again and turning to your favorite page of your only Playboy... but nah. With Double Nickles right here, Raul turned to the wrong page and he is not feeling it. Looks ok. Smells aite-ish. There is a little floral flavor up front, but then it ends with rotted flesh/dead body.

Man... I’m going to have a problem finishing this thing.

*Edit 3/8/22

Glad I’m able to come full circle on this one - as something wasn’t right my first go around.

In the end, there is an end - this beer is good enough to finish. End of story. See ya.

On tap into a snifter. A hazy golden color with a frothy off white head. Aroma and flavor were in line with bright orange, grapefruit, and a touch of malt sweetness. Moderate bitterness and flavorful for an APA. Medium bodied and carbed. An outstanding easy drinker.

 

my first beer from docent, and man, this is really good. a hoppy but not bitter, balanced but super clean pale ale, exactly what i want in the style more often than not, low alcohol and drinkable too, i really was pretty impressed here, especially since i have not heard of these guys in the past, wheres the hype at?! this is clear and richer looking golden, not just pils colored, but well short of what some crystal malt might do to the appearance. i almost wonder if there is actual citrus in it, like juiced up clementines or something, its bright like that, with a soft floral honey note from the grain, but dry in the finish. very light bitterness, leaves room for nuances of lemongrass, tea, and cut flowers. not quite dry, but light as can be anyway, clean on the ferment too. id love to know the hop mix, maybe some amarillo here, but the candied grapefruit and sweet sativa elements are curious, it just all comes together so well. this was a real surprise for me, not expecting much from yet another west coast pale, but this beer is dialed in, and quite deserving of its world beer cup medal for the style, i cant imagine what beat it. ill be on the hunt for more beers from docent! killer with some turkey chorizo tacos!

I see why this beer wins awards.