Ecliptic Brewing / Firestone Walker Brewing Company Five Years / Five Beers Hazy Double IPA American Double / Imperial IPA at 8% ABV (C$9.00 at Collective, 500 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 22-Sep-2019, reviewed 29-Sep-2019)
Appearance: slightly hazy particulate-laden pale amber with one fat finger of rocky white head, excellent retention and well-defined soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: toffee/caramel, tropical fruit, citrus, honey, pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, sweet lingering bitter warming finish. (4/5)
Not overly impressive. Right off the hop, it’s got a muddy appearance with loads of floaties, though the excellent head development and retention offsets that somewhat. On the nose, the dominant aroma is sweet toffee and caramel, with the hop character playing second fiddle to malt. The taste is similar, with higher sweetness dominating over a lingering bitterness. Tends hot and boozy as well, more so than would be expected for an ABV well under double digits. Wouldn’t want another one. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
