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Tracy Hensley's picture

90 Rating: Double Haul IPA by KettleHouse Brewing Co.

December, 2017
Judges Rating: 
90
Aroma: 
23 / 24
Appearance: 
6 / 6
Flavor: 
37 / 40
Mouthfeel: 
7 / 10
Overall Impression: 
17 / 20

A solid IPA, good looking with a well-developed aroma profile.  For the IPA style (2015 Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) Category 21A - American IPA), the conflicting, bitter, and chalky flavors as well as a carbonic mouthfeel are uncharacteristic and reduce its drinkability.  

Aromas are modern and complex.  Double Haul IPA starts with light aromas of candied tropical fruit cocktail and a moderate juicy passion fruit tartlet (light spicy vanilla, lightly cracked white pepper, shortbread). The aromas evolve to reveal a spritz of saline and bright lime peel acidity.  It is a great looking beer: brilliantly clear with light golden-brown color and a white fine creamy head.

Flavors are surprisingly bitter.  Resin sits up front but does not become heavy.  Mouthwatering grapefruit and a light chalky dryness persist in the aftertaste.  Second taste features a moderate malt cracker as well as pine resin, pineapple, and lemongrass bitterness with an aftertaste of coconut shavings.   

For style, the medium minus body does not hold up the rest of the beer when combined with the medium plus carbonation.  This results in a carbonic, mouth-prickling characteristic when drinking.

Overall, for the style, Double Haul IPA shows notable aroma complexity for the saturated IPA field.  Hop flavors are jangly with resin and tropical elements cutting against each other while a bitter pithy resin overtakes the aftertaste.