Double Gator
Beachwood Brewing - Huntington Beach

Type: 16-oz. can
Reviewed as: American Double / Imperial IPA
Glass: Monkish 16-oz. mug
Price: $4.29
From: Windmill Farms in San Diego (Del Cerro), Calif.
Purchased: Sept. 21, 2022
Consumed: Oct. 7, 2022
Misc.: Canned on Sept. 12, 2022

Went to Windmill Farms specifically for Dino Park, a collab between Toppling Goliath and North Park. Unfortunately it wasn’t there so instead I bought 12 singles and a 6-pack of Aurora Hoppyalis. Had this twice before on Dec. 24, 2019, giving both a taster a 4.25 (Double version of Amalgamator. This is terrific. Naturally will be seeing this one in court) and a full pour (Back for more, but will have again down the road.). First time seeing this in stores. Bine & Vine’s website description for this was “We present a double version of the beloved IPA, Amalgamator. All our Mosaic Hops Belong to you!” Mentioned hops were Mosaic, Warrior, Columbus and Amarillo.

Poured a medium yellow clear color with 2-to-3 fingers of frothy off-white head. Could see lots of bubble streams coming up mostly from the center and bottom of the glass. Almost perfect uneven foamy lacing. Almost perfect foamy retention. (Sight - 4.75)

Smelled Mosaic, Warrior, pine, mango, mixed berry, Juicy Fruit gum, grapefruit, pineapple, lemon and lime. (Smell - 4.25)

Tasted about as good as the nose. In order got Mosaic, Warrior, dank resin, pine, mango, mixed berry, Juicy Fruit gum, grapefruit, pineapple, orange rind, lemon, lime and Columbus. Really smooth for 9.6 pct. ABV. (Taste - 4.25)

Medium body. Creamy texture. Average carbonation. Long, smooth finish. (Feel - 4.75)

Overall, just an awesome double IPA. (Overall - 4.50)

4.38 | 97 | A

 

 

Can from Uptown Market.

A clear light orange with a dense white head with good retention and lacing. The nose is outrageously dank and herbaceous, with loads of weed, but also with lots of pine and citrus. What this doesn't have, though, is sweetness - dry as a bone, allowing the nose to focus on the hops in all their riotous depth. Mildly diesel like too, but in a good way. The palate opens dank and bitter, but with enough fruit to complement the pine and weed heavy bitterness. The effortless balance, and the way it enhances the drinking experience, is just hard to overstate. Faint wisps of a pale pils malt sweetness is present, complementing the citrus notes. Fantastic stuff.

I generally don't go for DIPA in my old age but I love Beachwood and I love Amalgamator. This is dank, bitter, strong but at the same time the alcohol is deceptive. Dangerous IPA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only piece of aluminum that returned with us from our trip to San Diego – 16 oz. can, to be precise.

The pour is a beautiful golden color that is lost on the NEIPA generation. Smells old school too – pine, lemon, citrus. I like where this spin is headed.

Double Gator is a phrase I’d like to start dropping into conversation. “That auditor when full double gator on that green bar printer.” My first impression is I’m glad this is non-alcoholic, because I find myself gulping face fulls of this sunny liquor. The taste is exquisite. Slick mango, sweet lemon, light pine, with a healthy shot of malt & soft bitterness on the close.

Hell yeah. Bring that West Coast beat to flyover country, please. Excellent beer.

 

Not into it tbh. And unlike Double Two Hearted (which I also didn’t like), I don’t really care for the base beer here. Like, Double Two Hearted was too much of a good thing. Imagine having twin Miranda Kerrs sitting on the foot of your bed saying, “Come to me.” Your head would explode. At least mine would. But here, it’s too much Amalgamator which is like too much McDonald’s - I’m not into it. Now, this isn’t really a Big Mac beer - it’s not that bad. It’s just kind of whateva. It’s a bit too heavy handed. There is no balance like that French dude on a wire that I dont care to look up.

Peace!