Mike Loves Beer

Name – Samuel Adams Longshot Double IPA
Country – United States
Type – Double IPA

Appearance – Poured a very cloudy amber to copper color with a big slightly off white head that stuck around awhile and left a good amount of lacing on the glass.

Smell – Big hop smells with grapefruit and some pine notes to it.

Taste – As you would expect it has a big hop taste.  Big grapefruit hops at that.  Nice malt backing to it to even things out well.  Very slight alcohol burn.

This is the second of the Longshot pack I got and by what the bottle cap says this was the overall winner in the contest and I can see why.  Nothing fancy was done with this one just a straight forward and honest double IPA.  Great look, smell and taste to it with nothing being left behind and nothing going over board.  I really enjoyed this one.

Overall Grade – A

Name - Stone Ruination IPA
Country - United States
Type - American Double IPA

Appearance - Pours an amber to copper color with a thick white head.

Smell - The smell has lots of hops that are both citrus and piney.

Taste - Big on the hops!  Bitter hops at that.  Some citrus notes in there as well.

This will smack you in the face if you don’t know what you are expecting.  But would you expect anything less from Stone?  Didn’t think so.  Big hops on this one as I found it extremely enjoyable.  This one is not as high in the ABV as other double IPAs but don’t let that fool you.  Great beer.

Overall Grade – A

Name - Saranac Imperial IPA
Country - United States
Type - American Double IPA

Appearance - Pours a clear copper color with a foamy white head that is not quite thick but does lace the glass well.

Smell - Big hops in the smell that are a little citrusy.  You can pick up the alcohol in there as well.

Taste - Think lots of malts and lots of hops and that pretty well describes this.  The malts are on the caramel side.  Not for the weak.  You can also taste the alcohol in this one too.

This is a big beer with big flavor.  I’m not sure if I think it is a little overboard though.  It borders to say the least.  If you are into really big hopped beers I would recommend this one.

Overall Grade – C+