Gnarvana

Gnarvana by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. is a Double IPA and is being evaluated as a Double IPA (category 22A from the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines). The focus of the Double IPA style is hops, hops, and more hops. Additionally, despite being a high alcohol content style, Double IPAs are fairly drinkable and lack a heavy malty body, which are more typical traits of Barleywines. Gnarvana measures in at the small end of the style at 7.5% ABV and is hopped with Citra and Australian Vic’s Secret hops.

This canned Double IPA pours straw in color, is very hazy, and sports a big, fluffy white head. The aroma is moderate tropical fruit, overripe peach and pineapple hops with no malt. The prominent hops continue into the flavor with hop flavors of tropical fruits, peaches, apricots and pineapple. The mouthfeel is medium-light in body with no warmth and a light hop astringency. The beer finishes moderately bitter with a lingering tropical fruit and apricot hop flavor. This is a very pleasant hoppy beer but is not aggressive enough on the hops and malt for a Double IPA. Regardless, seek this beer out as it is still quite a nice IPA.