Hopkeeper by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery is a Double IPA and is being evaluated as a Double IPA (category 22A in the 2015 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 this strength. Hopkeeper was brewed with Virginia-grown malt and Virginia honey and measures in at 8.5% ABV.

Hopkeeper pours light golden in color with excellent clarity and a huge white head. The aroma is moderate orange and pineapple hops over a light grainy malt. The flavor is similar with moderately citrusy hops over a light grainy and crackery malt. The beer finishes moderately bitter with moderate citrusy and resiny hops and a light grainy malt.

Hopkeeper is a solid hop-forward ale, but the hop intensity is on the low side for the Double IPA style. Exceptional Double IPAs also typically have a more complex hop character. Regardless, check out this very good Double IPA. Hopheads will not be disappointed.