Double Rupture
Dreaming Creek Brewery

We have become accustomed to raptures of all sorts of varieties and situations, so when naming a beer that's worthy of attention, it's got to be a big lupulin rapture. Dreaming Creek's imperial IPA doesn't quite destroy the palate, but it does grab the attention of hop heads in nearly religious comparisons.

Double Rapture pours with a creamy ivory froth that floats above a body of hazy amber. A pungent citrus fruit, stone fruit and grassy medley catches the nose with a bold hop presence and a backnote of caramel, butterscotch and apple. Sweetness shines on the early palate as the malts bring an introduction of caramel, honey and toasted poundcake.

As the middle palate evolves, the malt impact lessens and the hops pull forward with pink grapefruit, apricot, slightly bruised oranges, mango and red apples once more. Trending bittersweet, the hops develop into a spicy and resinous taste that grips the throat tightly with pine, pepper, grassiness and citrus fruit rinds.

The taste of butterscotch persists to give the hop bitterness balance and full flavor. As the ale tries to assist a crisp, dry and refreshing palate, the linger of malt, apple and butter limits its drinkability but rewards the tastebuds with continued fullness in flavor.