Founders is one of America’s best and most popular craft breweries. As the #30th largest craft brewery in the entire country, they are pushing out some amazing brews. In fact, according to The Daily Meal.com, Founders comes in at #4 in the nation (http://www.thedailymeal.com/25-best-craft-breweries-america). With all of this said, I was so excited to try Double Trouble; one of the most successful IPAs in the brewer’s lineup.
According to Founders, Double Trouble is “An imperial IPA that was brewed to turn your world upside down. Hops will get you coming and going. Pungent aromatics up front pair with a malt-balanced backbone and a smooth, bitter finish.” Let’s see how they did.
Appearance: Double Trouble, in all of its golden beauty poured wonderfully into my chalice glass. Topped with a light, thin, white head and beautiful light tracing on my glass, Double Trouble looks every bit the look of a proper IPA. Hazy, bright orange in color, reminded me of a pineapple in the light. It is a beautiful beer.
Aroma: This is the category that most beers are won or lost for me. I love the complex smells that a brewer engineers into a beer, and this one did not disappoint. Strong notes of grapefruit and citrus flood the nose with the distinct, hoppy aroma of a strong IPA. Double Trouble is 86 IBUs, so you know it is going to pack a punch with hops – yet – it does so with a certain gracefulness that is not overpowering, but inviting and quite welcomed. I kept returning my nose to the glass throughout my sip to be reminded of the awesome smell of this beer.
Mouth Feel: At 9.4% ABV, I was expecting a very strong, bitter taste. I was pleasantly surprised at just how smooth this beer actually was. Of course, the bitterness that you want in an IPA was certainly there, but definitely not overpowering. It felt well carbonated as well.
Taste: Without adding too many personal anecdotes, I have to say “wow”. This is one delicious beer. I am relatively new to enjoying IPAs as I believe it is an acquired taste (which I am happy to have acquired). Sometimes, double or imperial IPAs are simply too strong and overly hopped for my liking. I am happy to report that this is a perfect example of a well balanced double IPA. It is absolutely bitter (in a great way) but well balanced in that there was never a moment in my drinking this beer that I felt it was too strong.
What surprised me the most was that at 9.4% ABV, I was expecting a much more “warm” or boozy taste than I got in Double Trouble (which I am happy about). It was very smooth yet bitter. Citrus and grapefruit notes abounding with the ever present bitterness that you desire in an IPA.
Final Thoughts: Overall, I would give Double Trouble IPA a 94-95, or, a solid A. It is a nearly perfect example of what a double or imperial IPA should be. The aromatic beer was bitter yet smooth with a hoppy bite and clean and pleasing finish.
If you see this in the store, don’t buy a single, as you will instantly wish you’d bought the four pack. If you are out at the bar and this is on tap, do yourself a favor, and order a glass.
Cheers!
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