Vibacious Double IPA

Vibacious Double IPA by Great Lakes Brewing Co. is a double IPA and is being evaluated as a double IPA (category 22A in the 2021 BJCP Beer 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 beers of these strengths. Vibacious was brewed with Apollo, Cashmere and Citra hops and measures in at 9.0% abv and 40 IBUs.

Vibacious pours golden in color with good clarity and a small white head. The aroma is moderate resiny and citrusy hops with a hint of malt and no esters. The flavor is moderate resinous and citrus hops over a hint of malt. The beer finishes moderately bitter with lingering resiny and citrusy hops.

Vibacious is a solid, well-brewed double IPA. The hop profile evenly balances the resiny and citrusy hop flavors perfectly. The bitterness is on the low side for a double IPA but this occurrence is not uncommon anymore. Regardless of the low bitterness, the beer finishes firm and dry like one would expect from a DIPA.