Double Impressionist

Double Impressionist by Olde Mother Brewing Co. is being evaluated as a Double IPA (2015 BJCP Category 22A). A vigorous pour provided a hazy, solid amber beer underneath a moderate stand of persistent ivory foam.

The nose is intensely overripe tropical fruit such as a mango, papaya and a hint of pineapple alongside moderate vanilla. Light grainy malt provides support. Clean fermentation is evident with no additional esters and subtle, smooth alcohol.

The flavor isn’t as sweet as the aroma would’ve indicated with moderate bitterness and a well-attenuated, semi-dry finish. Strong, ripe tropical fruit tilts the balance to hops but restrained honey, grainy malt provides enough of a malt backbone. Lingering resin, citrus fruits and alcohol are evident in the aftertaste. There’s a hint of an abrasiveness from excessive hop plant matter the more sips one takes.

Overall, Double Impressionist is a good beer and relatively easy to drink despite it’s 7.9% ABV tag. The hops seemed to be a shadow of what they could’ve been, so drink this one as fresh as possible.