There’s been some discussion on what the difference is between East Coast and West Coast IPAs, and it seems to be the balance between malt and hops in the East Coast versions and the hop dominance in the West Coast examples. This Double IPA follows much more closely to the East Coast Version. It’s got a resiny, woody hop aroma, which is backed by a nice toasty malt component. The beer is a very clear, dark gold/light copper and the flavor carries through with the toasted malt combined with a serious hop presence that almost seems slightly sprucey. The balance between the caramel malt and earthy hops is what really distinguishes this beer. It is big, but the integration of hop and malt flavors works, and also serves as a nice vehicle for the alcohol in this Double IPA.
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Valkyrie
Description
A pungently hoppy deep copper ale, this double IPA takes its influence from the hop loving city of San Diego California where the hop varieties of the Pacific Northwest reign supreme. With two hop additions, copious amounts of Simcoe and Centennial hops give an aroma of marmalade jam and tangerine zest masking the 9.5% ABV underneath. On the palate the beer is dry but contains enough malt character to balance the dominant flavors of ripe grapefruit and candied citrus, finishing with a slight spiciness from the Columbus hops. Clean, crisp, and hoppy yet deceptively balanced: a 110 IBU hop bomb that holds its own against its California brethren.
Judges Review
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20