Is Double IPA an extreme beer?

Both at the same time. The two are not mutually exclusive.

 

Hell when SNPA first came out, it was considered extreme, as in hoppy. The limits of extreme are always going to be a fuzzy line that keeps getting pushed further and further up the scale. And to me, DIPA is not extreme. But then again, I personally consider anything under 6% abv a light/session beer.

 

I've decided that water is what makes beers less extreme - the more water it has, the less extreme it is.

I can't wait until my beers are brewed from the beginning with vodka (we'd need a really resistant yeast strain), or my chocolate stout is brewed from the beginning with hot cocoa.

And don't forget, my OIPA (Octuple IPA) had better be made with squeezed hop juice in place of water.

 

DIPAs are a pretty broad category with any number of potential outcomes.
To most outside of the BA crowd, a DIPA would be "extreme" on its face, even without trying it.

But, around here, I don't think DIPA = automatically extreme. Though many would probably opine that there are certainly some extreme DIPAs, while others are not that extreme.

 

TO THE MAX!!!

 

I would say they are pretty extreme when compared to what was around when they first came out. Viewed against what has been brewed in the history of hops usage, or alcohol content, not really that extreme at all.

 

10 years ago ruination would have been considered an extreme beer by everyone but now unless a DIPA is over 10% alcohol or has 1000 ibus, I doubt it would be considered extreme by many BAs.

 

I don't seek them out, it just kinds of happens naturally. Maybe it's because you usually get more bang for your buck.

 

Check the Bros' 2000 review of SN Celebration, where they warn you that this 6.8 ABV brew will kick your ass.

 

Crime And Punishment certainly fits the description in my book as a extreme beer. I still have not built up enough courage to open a bottle yet.

 

Extreme? Depends on the audience.

Strongly-flavored?...yes, usually DIPA's are that.

 

On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being not so extreme and 10 being extremely extreme, I give DIPAs a 9.5!!!

 

It still will. The effect of a 6.8% abv beer on your body hasn't changed because the IPA's popularity has increased in the last 13 years.

 

DIPA is a recognized style (now), and it doesn't necessarily mean "extreme."

In my experience, it seems to go like this:
IPA up to/including 7% --> DIPA up to/including 12% --> barleywine 13% and over

Some DIPAs are pretty extreme, like DFH 120 Minute or Double Crooked Tree, but without being branded as barleywines. I think they're both at 12% (but I didn't check, so don't quote me there).
But most of the best "true" DIPAs tend to be more reasonable/less extreme, like Heady or Pliny at 8%.

People enjoy getting more bang for their buck, and that can translate to alcohol content in a beer. I wouldn't be surprised to see a trend where 8% becomes an IPA abv, and DIPAs and American barleywines become even less distinguishable from one another.

 

Nope. Just your average everyday drinking beer in my household.

 

Some of the more "ripe" DIPAs, with 8.5ish to 11ish ABV can be too much of an adventure for me- and I think might well be called extreme. Some are gagglingly sweet and are uncomfortable beverages. I've found a great number of powerful IPAs and DIPAs- Foothills Hoppyum and Jade, Noda Hop Drop'n Roll, Torpedo, Heady Topper for God's sake!- that are smooth as silk, bury a good buzz in a bunch of flavor and smoothness. A Heady Topper or a Hop Drop'n Roll to begin a nice Friday is perfect!