Less Malty DIPAs

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by bramsdell, May 16, 2012.

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  1. bramsdell

    bramsdell Initiate (0) May 27, 2011 North Carolina

    This year I finally got my hands on some Hopslam and some Hoptimum. Both of these were fresh (they were months apart), as in, the day that my store got the 6/4-packs in, I was obtained them. They were very hoppy, but I think my palate must be more sensitive to extreme maltiness, as these two beers were, while highly enjoyable, too sweet for me. Both had such strong flavors of honey that I felt that the hops were present more to balance the sweetness than the other way around. The body of each brew was so thick, as well, that I really didn't feel like finishing each, especially with the residual sweetness present in both. As a result, while both were good, I was disappointed. Possibly my own fault for too high of hopes, but I have had other DIPAs that I have loved.

    Last week, I had Palate Wrecker on tap, and I must say, this was much more my style. The beer was intensely hoppy and this was very clearly the focus. The beautiful floral aromas and flavors melded together to create an experience that was extremely pleasing in both taste and feel.

    Question is, what DIPAs would you recommend that have the hefty hoppiness of these other beers, yet without the thick sweetness found in the two former beers? Thanks.
     
    #1 bramsdell, May 16, 2012
  2. guajolote

    guajolote Maven (1,359) Sep 12, 2008 Oregon

    Blue Dot.
     
    #2 guajolote, May 16, 2012
    muchloveforhops3 likes this.
  3. jbertsch

    jbertsch Pooh-Bah (2,874) Dec 14, 2008 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    While it's a borderline IPA/DIPA, your post reminds me how much I miss Lagunitas Sucks. Very little malt backbone and I loved it.
     
    #3 jbertsch, May 16, 2012
    fox227 and dcook11 like this.
  4. dukes

    dukes Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2012 Maryland

    I actually had the exact opposite experience with Hoptimum and Palate Wrecker in that I found the former to be one of the most intensely hoppy beers I've ever had, and the latter to be a bit sweet for my taste.

    As for a recommendation, I found Southern Tier 2XIPA to be the thinnest DIPA I've had so far. All I got from that one was hop bite.

    Also one more thing, just because you bought a beer the day your store received them doesn't mean that they are fresh. You really have to go by the date code on the bottles. Just sayin...
     
    #4 dukes, May 16, 2012
  5. NiceTaps

    NiceTaps Pooh-Bah (2,138) Nov 21, 2011 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    Ithica Flower Power. Technically, it's an IPA, but it fits here, I think.
     
    #5 NiceTaps, May 16, 2012
  6. knightlypint

    knightlypint Initiate (0) Apr 18, 2012 New Jersey

    Stone Ruination?
     
    #6 knightlypint, May 16, 2012
  7. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I have the same palette as the OP; I am also not a fan of malty DIPA’s. For me the majority of DIPA’s are just too cloying/sweet. I had one Hopslam this year; on draft in a small 9 ounce glass. That was enough for me.

    I dislike the majority of DIPA’s but there are a few that I like since they are not cloying to me:

    · Pliny the Elder

    · Palate Wrecker

    · Heady Topper

    · Moylans Hopsickle

    Cheers!
     
    #7 JackHorzempa, May 16, 2012
    Bitterbill likes this.
  8. knightlypint

    knightlypint Initiate (0) Apr 18, 2012 New Jersey

    Purists may not like this...

    I've found some of the American Pilsners to be good substitutes for (D)IPAs, particularly both versions of Sammy's Noble Pils.
     
    #8 knightlypint, May 16, 2012
  9. Brew33

    Brew33 Initiate (0) Oct 24, 2007 Ohio

    I've only had Hopsickle 3 times but I always remember it being a caramel Malt bomb. Borderline Barleywine. But I have no clue how fresh the bottles were so there's that. I'd like to try it on tap to see how different it is.
     
    #9 Brew33, May 16, 2012
    Soonami likes this.
  10. tewaris

    tewaris Initiate (0) Jul 14, 2009 Minnesota

    Heady
    Elder
    Ruination

    to name a few.
     
    #10 tewaris, May 16, 2012
  11. Kadonny

    Kadonny Pooh-Bah (2,616) Sep 5, 2007 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I find fresh Hoptimum to be very, very hoppy and not all that sweet and malty.

    Good DIPAs that are not sweet and cloying:

    Pliny
    Heady
    Surly Abrasive
    Double Jack
    Founders Double Trouble
    Hop Wallop
    Ruination
    Racer X

    DIPAs to say away from:

    Southern Tier Unearthly (super cloying sweet)
    Moylans Moylander
    Alesmith Yulesmith
    Avery Majaraha (borderline)
     
    #11 Kadonny, May 16, 2012
    Soonami and dukes like this.
  12. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I have only had Moylans Hopsickle on tap. My palette perceives the hops first and then in the middle of the taste I perceive caramel tastes. While I grant that there is some caramel in the mid-palette this beer is not cloying to my taste buds.

    Cheers!
     
    #12 JackHorzempa, May 16, 2012
  13. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,652) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I was kind of thinking the same thing actually. A hoppy Czech Pils sounds like something the OP would love.

    Run Sierra Nevada Summerfest through a randal with mad hops and you should be good, ha ha.
     
    #13 Providence, May 16, 2012
  14. OTB

    OTB Pooh-Bah (1,803) Sep 2, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    I find that west coast examples are far less malty sweet than their Midwest/ east coats counterpoints. Put a Duet up against any of these and see the difference.

    Cheers.....
     
    #14 OTB, May 16, 2012
  15. lucas1801

    lucas1801 Initiate (0) Apr 5, 2012 Massachusetts

    Duet is very light on the hops though.
     
    #15 lucas1801, May 16, 2012
  16. knightlypint

    knightlypint Initiate (0) Apr 18, 2012 New Jersey

    I could count on one hand how many good IPAs/DIPAs I've had on tap in the NY/NJ area over the years.
     
    #16 knightlypint, May 16, 2012
  17. m4ttj0nes

    m4ttj0nes Zealot (611) Feb 21, 2012 Oregon
    Trader

    heady topper is what you're looking for.
     
    #17 m4ttj0nes, May 16, 2012
  18. OTB

    OTB Pooh-Bah (1,803) Sep 2, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    OK fair enough, try a Pure Hoppiness against an east coast DIPA and you'll see the difference.

    Cheers.....
     
    #18 OTB, May 16, 2012
  19. VncentLIFE

    VncentLIFE Initiate (0) Feb 16, 2011 North Carolina

    maybe youre looking for the super hoppy IPAs, not DIPAs. Green Flash West Coast and Founders Centennial come to mind.
     
    #19 VncentLIFE, May 16, 2012
  20. dukes

    dukes Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2012 Maryland

    Heady Topper
    Double Sunshine
    Galaxy Imperial Single Hop
    Ephraim
    Abner
    Gandhi-Bot

    You sure you want to pit your precious Pure Hoppiness against these bad boys?
     
    #20 dukes, May 16, 2012
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