82 Rating: Bludgeon Double IPA by Hidden Cove Brewing

Bludgeon Double IPA by Hidden Cove Brewing is a Double IPA and will be judged as such by BJCP 2015 Category 22A. This beer looks something like honey blossom honey with a light amber color with a deep orange hue, good clarity despite slight haze and a thick, frothy off-white head. The aroma is an interesting blend of sweet citrusy hops, like candied orange/mango/lemon with hints of floral and a touch of weed. Building off the candy-like hops is a moderate level of caramel, as well as toasted bread crusts and grainy cereal like malt. Some stone fruit esters (apricot) also add to the sweeter notes. As the beer warms, some alcohol, pine & garlic begin to come out as well.

The flavor is similar to the aroma, but with more grapefruit and weed as well as a stronger lemon candy character reminscent of El Dorado hops. This beer is hop-forward but with a toasty, sweet malt balance that keeps the firm bitterness in check. Unfortunately this malt character becomes more apparent as the beer warms, as does the alcohol. The sweeter malt and candy like hops result in a fairly malty example of a DIPA that along with the alcohol notes treads the line with American barleywine.