Barrio Double IPA

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 6

Sampled at Barrio Brewing, November 2008
This arrives with a frothy, light tan colored head that leaves some sticky lacing on the sides of the glass. The beer is a lightly hazy, full amber color that shows a bit more red hued when held up to the light. After my meal of spicy fish tacos this smells malt focused with notes of softly toasted crackers and biscuit. There is a light, herbal hop component and a hint of citrus, but nothing like one would expect from a Pale Ale, much less a Double IPA.

The beer is sweet with lots of alcohol noticeable and there is a berry / citrus flavor to it. There is a lot of fruitiness to it up front with notes of grapefruit, citrus zest and an herbal-berry note (if that makes sense). The beer is thick and chewy, though not quite on the Barleywine side of the spectrum. There is a nice bitterness that solidly contributes to the entire flavor profile. The bitterness lingers in the finish with a warming alcohol note and a touch of astringency. Fruity hop notes of tangerine, lychee and some tropical fruit notes are noticeable in the flavor too.

I can't get over how hot with alcohol this beer is, I actually get a slight burn down my esophagus as I am drinking this. This is a decent attempt and definitely interesting.