Firestone Walker Double Jack (Double IPA)
9.5% ABV, 85 IBU
Enjoyed on 9.28.2014
Ah, Firestone Walker.
I can’t say that I’ve ever had one of their beers that I didn’t
enjoy. This particular one, like many of
the beers I write about, was another gift from the wife. It had been in the fridge (and the back of my
mind) for several weeks, so after a long drive back home from Charlotte, NC, I
figured the time was right. The foil
wrapper on top makes you feel extra fancy and builds anticipation for this
delightful brew.
Observations: Pours a beautiful golden color with white
head. Color and lighting are factors
that one tends to dismiss pretty quickly on the way to the first sip, but that
golden glow given off by this beer really enhances the overall experience. At any rate, the aroma is pleasantly
different than your typical west coast double IPA, inviting you to bury your
nose in it a second and third time before even taking the first sip. The typical grapefruit and pine notes are
present, but they are underneath a bouquet of apricot and tangerine. Some of the caramel aromas make their way
into the nose as well. The beer itself
has a medium mouthfeel and a very pleasant balance. The sip starts sweet and caramelly, giving
way to the hops for a citrusy, and even a bit spicy, finish. The bitterness lingers in such a way that you
can’t help but take another sip, but it is at no point overwhelming. The hop flavor, aroma, and bitterness are
featured in the Double Jack, but it doesn’t smash your palate and inundate your
senses.
Conclusions: Really a great beer for any occasion. It is definitely worth savoring and unlocking
the full potential of flavors, but it doesn’t really have the “hop shock” that
sometimes accompanies high IBU beers.
The first sip is sure to bring a smile to any beer lover’s face. I would go so far as to say that some folks
who aren’t big fans of IPAs and the like may enjoy this beer, given its
manageable bitterness.
Cheers!
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