Karl Strauss Brewing Company Big Barrel Double IPA

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Karl Strauss Brewing Company Big Barrel Double IPA.

From the Karl Strauss Brewing Company website: “When we kicked-off this series of intense hoppy beers, we wanted to go big. Imported New Zealand Nelson Sauvin hops provide a vibrant tropical aroma that raises eyebrows and expectations. Aggressive amounts of Warrior and Ahtanum hops produce an assertive bitterness that stands out against a firm malt backbone. Balanced even at 90 IBUs, Big Barrel leaves a considerable first impression that serves as a prelude of things to come.”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a dark orange color with a dense off-white head and nice rings of lacing.

Aroma: Sweet malts, tropical, pine and citrus hops and a touch of grainy malts.

Taste: Big hop flavors – mango, grapefruit, apricot, peach balanced nicely with sweet malts.

Overall: With so many fantastic Double IPAs available it is a tough market to want to jump into, but I completely enjoyed Karl Strauss Brewing Company Big Barrel Double IPA and particularly enjoyed the hop profile.  This 9% ABV offering is easy drinking and one I would recommend. It might not be a “go to” beer for me, but I would certainly pick it up again.  I’d like to try this one on tap.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

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