Founders Double Trouble - Founders Brewing Company

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4.6/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Special thanks to iceicebaby for providing this in a recent trade.

Beer was lighter in color than I had expected. Bright gold in color with nice clarity and the slightest haze. Certainly nothing bad, just surprising. A foamy white head about finger and a ½ thick... It settled fairly quickly and left loads of spider web lacing inside the glass.

Aroma is fantastic and fresh. Fruity, juicy and some pine notes... I get a bit of the same aroma as Bells Two Hearted.

Flavor is fantastic. I'd like to do a blind taste between this and Hop Slam. From afar, I sense some similarities. A touch of pineapple in the flavor. Some black pepper, some citrus. Light toasted grains.... Wonderful lingering hop effect.

Just under sticky in body mouth feel... bright and fresh

Really drinkable and hides the 9.4% abv very well.

A very nice DPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2009 20:38:01 | More by Reagan1984

WakeandBake

Michigan

4.58/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A hazy golden yellow/orange color with a huge fluffy white head that satys around for a long time,huge amounts of sticky lace all over the insides of my glass. Smells of grass(skunk weed,in a good way)pungent citrus and piney hops with very little malt presence.Flavor at first is ultra sugary/tart grapefruit,oily lemon peel, and pine needles, more bitterness,if you let it warm enough you can detect some of the faint caramel malt tones,and this very faint note of honey. Finish is dry and a little boozy. Medium in both body and carbonation.One of the best growlers of beer ever drank. Super Ultra Good !

Serving type: growler

02-08-2009 14:04:01 | More by WakeandBake

ironlung

California

4.4/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Extra from bb8189. You ROCK!!!

Pours honey-orange with a extra small white fizzy head that doesn't hang around or leave any lacing. Smell is carmel malt and lots of hops I think I detect some honey notes as well(but it could be all the hopslam I've been slammin'). Taste is off the charts this is another top-notch double! Everything is right in place with this well balanced hop-bomb. It's nice to know their doing this in the mid-west. If I ever find my self in the great-lakes area I know I can get some great beer. Seek this one out hop lovers from all regions, you'll be glad you did!

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2009 06:39:55 | More by ironlung

Slynger

Illinois

4/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Brighter than expected goldy orange color with a slight haze and a cap of nicely sized, fine and bubbly, off-white.

Pungently hoppy nose. Grapefruit, citrusy rind and pine come in strong.

Salty cracker base, not much sweetness at all. Juicy citrus and pineapple with a fairly solid rindy bitterness, and spicy-piny hops. It is both slick and smooth with a fine carbonation, but the abv takes away from the drinkability a bit.

A solid, if rather pungent IIPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2009 05:44:30 | More by Slynger

meatyard

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this on tap and from a bottle today. There is a difference, tap is noticeably better (for me) even though it's very good from the bottle. If you get the chance, find it on tap. I'm reviewing the tap version. Thank you Matt Capone for getting this on tap.

It was poured into a pint glass with a short head by the bartender in order to fill the glass.

Appearance is a hazy, golden/yellow with a small white head that left what lacing it could.

The smell is wonderful. Very floral, citrusy, pine & resin along with a sweet maltiness.

The taste is very much the same as the smell though a bit more balance with an increased malt sweetness.

Mouthfeel is medium and a little oily, just right.

Drinkability is excellent. Sure, after 3-4 (I am an alcohol lightweight) of these I may not recall my name but who cares?

The main differences I see between the bottle & tap is in the smell & taste, both of which are more intense on tap. I notice the alcohol in the bottle and not at all on tap. More balance on tap for me as well and not as bitter.

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2009 03:27:03 | More by meatyard

JoeCeez

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pours a hazy straw/hay with a white head that quickly dissipates to leave patchy lacing, doesn't look like your everyday DIPA

S: smells fantastic, super hoppy citrus tropical and lots of really heady skunky buds, if it were weed and it smelled like this I would have no problem paying $65 for an eighth

T: this is one tasty motherfuckin beverage, the hops dominate the flavor but there is a nice sweet malt backbone to it, mostly tropical fruits, some pine and citrus, bitter dry finish

M: medium bodied with some decent carbonation slightly sticky

D: alcohol is barely noticable making this very drinkable but after 3 or 4 you'll be gettin tipsy.

Another homerun for Founders, I really like this beer because it reminds me of Pliny the Elder. Definitely one of my new favorite DIPAs

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2009 22:04:05 | More by JoeCeez

CrellMoset

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle at the Sexual Chocolate release at Foothills Brewing Company, Winston Salem, NC. Poured into a sampling glass.

Appearance: Pours a very light, yellow body, almost green in places given the way the light hits it, slightly hazy though with plenty of clarity as well. Though there's no much of a head, there's a nice foamy white collar, thick, bubbly, and plenty of flecks of bubbly, erratic lace. A decent looking brew.

Aroma: This was the most prominent thing about this beer. The light citrus on this one is absolutely through the roof, pungent and intense, with tons of orange rind, grapefruit zest, rich, with flourishes of basil, mint, and tropical fruit, pineappley and strawberry-esque. The balancing sweetness is simple, fine, with no signs of roast - just a nice underlying sweetness to keep things in check. Just great.

Taste: A bit of a step down. The bitterness here takes over ever so slightly - it's moderate to high, leaning towards high. The sweetness is honey-simple, pale, but most of the accompanying hop notes are familiar from the aroma - leafy, slight hints of pine, strawberries, citrus. It's well-rounded, but a little too bitter. Tone down the bitterness to let the hop flavors shine through and this would be a world-class taste.

Mouthfeel: Incredibly even, full, and smooth, well-carbonated to the point of creamy plus a slight prickle. Very well made, and toning down the effervescence every so slightly would make it a solid 5.0.

Drinkability: A very, very solid example of my favorite style, this one's more to the light end - lighter citrus, lighter leafy notes, very simply sweet - and that's A-OK with me. The 9.4% is hidden amongst the hoppy goodness, and - if the bitterness were toned down a little and the carbonation toned down ever so slightly, this one would be nearing a perfect 5.0. A lot of promise here, but even with those minor flaws, this one's a great, great beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2009 05:19:58 | More by CrellMoset

taylorhamrick

South Carolina

3.7/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

This pours out a very pale color, like straw. There's a thin head with loose bubbles and decent lacing. The smell is really great. There's an amazing fruitiness in the hops. A bit different than the over-the-top citrusy kind of stuff. The hops are just pungent and wonderful, like fresh hops. After the head fades a bit, you get a bit more of the alcohol smell. The taste is far less hoppy. You get this resinous, sticky feel, with a kind of piny taste, and there's quite an alcohol taste. There's kind of a fake fruity taste in there, like candy fruit flavors without the sweetness. Very dry. The mouthfeel is actually very nice. It kind of warms you inside, and is quite smooth. The carbonation is not too sharp. The drinkability is about average. There's very little to pull you away, but this one catches you quick enough to prevent the desire for a second.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2009 04:53:33 | More by taylorhamrick

david131

Michigan

4.2/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- A very light orange/ dark yellow, slightly hazy with a thin white head and a massive amount of lacing. I've seen regular IPAs with more meat on their bones.

S- Some candy banana aroma, pineapple, mango, and a bit of alcohol. Pretty aromatic. Smells pretty good, but just doesn't quite have that magic I look for. Very sweet smelling.

T- Very sweet and unique. The fruitiness is great. The alcohol is barely noticeable. Very enjoyable.

M- Smooth without a harsh bite. The carbonation keeps it just alive.

D- A very different take on the style. I did enjoy this, but it is a little on the sweet side.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2009 04:47:10 | More by david131

Yetiman420

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I've had this in a bottle and on tap and am reviewing the tap experience (I think it's better).

Presented in a standard pint glass and too cold. Beer had a much-appreciated cloudy appearance.

Wonderfully stinky hop aroma. Citrus and pine all the way through. Sweet hop flavor and clean, dry, bitter finish.

Very nice. A model DIPA in my book.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2009 01:23:29 | More by Yetiman420

HeyItsChili

South Carolina

4/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Pours clear blond with a foamy white head that dissipates into a viscous, globby film.

S - Sweet, bitter, almost piny hops. Slightly flowery.

T - While powerfully bitter, a strong citrus and sugar counter provides some contrast.

M - Slightly thinner medium bodied yet a little viscous.

Notes - I don't rate the drinkability as high because Double IPAs aren't my favorite style, the bitterness lingers in my mouth and blows up my tastebuds for a while. Otherwise good.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2009 03:10:32 | More by HeyItsChili

bound4er

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A. Slightly turbid, light orange to amber color. Pure white head of about 1/2 a finger. Spotty lacing.

S. Less of a hop aroma than I was expecting - pine and lemon with one prevalent during one sniff and the other coming to the forefront on the next sniff. Some maltiness in the form of biscuits too.

T. Hops take center stage - I don't detect any balancing malts. Finishes quite bitter but very refreshing and long.

M. Medium bodied with good carbonation.

D. I like hops so I find this very drinkable. The alcohol is well hidden too. Throwing back two or three would not be a problem. Those looking for more than just hops may want to venture elsewhere.

Final Thoughts: Comparisons to HopSlam are inevitable - this beer doesn't hold a candle to HopSlam. It is still a darn good beer that I would love to drink from time-to-time.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2009 02:13:36 | More by bound4er

dondeez21

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass.
A: Cloudy ,orange, very thin white head with nice lacing.
S: Hops! This beer is very hoppy. And you can smell it from a distance
T: Hoppy. I am not sure exactly but it is either Simcoe or Chinook hops that really take the show. This beer is over 9% and the first few sips this is noticeable. After that you cant taste much of the alcohol.
M: This beer is a nice med bodied IIPA. It is a bit heavier than some other beers of the same style but nothing to strong.
D: This beer packs a punch. It will knock your taste buds around and the alcohol percentage is high so you can find yourself feeling different after just a few.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2009 01:27:43 | More by dondeez21

brewcrew76

Wisconsin

4.43/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Hazy golden, orange with a very thin off white head and little wisps of lace everywhere.

S - Citrus hops with a hint of pine, orange and grapefruit zest and a sweet malty backbone.

T - Citrus and piney hops, the pine is more noticeable than the aroma. Resiny hops, fresh cut grass, bitter but with a decent balance of sweet caramel malts.

M - Medium bodied and smooth with dry lingering hop finish.

D - Reminds me a lot of my attempt at a Blind Pig clone. Very easy to drink, especially for 9.4%abv which is well hidden.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2009 01:19:41 | More by brewcrew76

BeerTruth

Connecticut

4.08/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Got TWO of these as extras from the generous MasterSkit, thank you sir!

12 oz. stubby bottle poured into a nonic.

Pours a cloudy straw yellow hue with a bright white creamy head that slowly falls to a nice layer of foam. A good amount of thin lacing holds on the sides of the glass. Smell is heavy on the citrus; fresh grapefruit, orange peel, and lemongrass. Underneath that is more hops, sticky pine with a very small amount of pale malts. I can tell this will be a hop bomb...Taste starts off with those big citrus hops but with a good amount of bitter flavor mixed in as well. Midway a touch of caramel malt and a hefty dose of spruce and earth. For some reason the aftertaste is pretty weak which is odd for such a hop monster. Body is a bit thin for the style with a gritty feel and a medium carbonation. A pretty good DIPA for sure, one I would gladly enjoy again and again. Thanks again Alex!

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2009 00:56:59 | More by BeerTruth

cvstrickland

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The squat 12-ouncer sports a freaky two-faced guy on the label and a twist-off top on the bottle. Poured into a large tulip glass, Double Trouble is bright golden in color with a thick cap of fine-grained white foam. The head retains stubbornly and deposits fine filmy lacing onto the glass.

The smell is a pungent perfume of tangy citrus and sticky green herbs topped off with a wallop of resinous pine. Malty toffee and caramel languish underneath, barely holding on, beaten into near-submission by the fragrant hoppiness.

The flavor profile is a fine fruity palette of hop flavors stacked atop a soft grainy note of mild caramel. Cooling alcohol and notes of bitter pink grapefruit are sprinkled with sweet Key Lime, introducing a potent bitterness that dominates the finish and lasts well into the aftertaste. Semisweet toasted caramel and crisp, piney citrus oil slicken the drink, the masquerading hop notes adding just a touch of drying without any unpleasant mouth-pucker.

The drink is heavy-medium in body with good carbonation and fine drinkability for style.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2009 04:41:32 | More by cvstrickland

ClockworkOrange

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Been waiting for this one to make it to PA. Picked up a single at The Beer Stop for $3.50. Poured into my nonic pint glass a hazy golden yellow with a green hue. The head is a solid two fingers deep and off-white in color. Smells of grass, stinky citrus and piney hops with very little malt presence. Did they dry hop this with skunk weed? Upon my first sip, a huge flood of bitterness attacks my taste buds. Notes of white grapefruit, lemon peel, and pine needles, more bitterness, and an almost non-existent malt backbone. Finish is dry and a little boozy. Medium in both body and carbonation. I'd drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2009 04:10:33 | More by ClockworkOrange

sholland119

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A-A hazy gold with a little bit of head and some stickiness. Some fine bubbled carbonation.

S-Lemony hops with a little bit of pine in the background. Malt? We don't need no stinkin' malt.

T-Unbalanced does not begin to describe the flavor here. Lemon hops turning in to grapefruit and piney bitterness in the finish. No malt of any kind to be tasted either.

M-Crisp and dry with lots of oily, almost charcoaly bitterness.

D-Well, much as I love hops, the lack of any kind of malt presence makes this beer a bit fatiguing. One is tasty...and enough.

HV

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2009 01:10:28 | More by sholland119

gibby

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle. 1/19/09 stamped on case so its nice and super fresh. So happy the beer yard got this in..I was in the process of trading for it.

Pours very bright yellow, very similar to harvest ale. Minimal head that went away quick. I could smell the hops from about a foot away. When I finally brought the glass close to my nose I got alot of lemon, a little pine and more citrus smells. Hops are very prevelant but do not dominate at all. Very easy drinker for having almost 10% abv. I could put a few of these down but I would certainyl be rocked. Feeling buzzed already from just one. Excellent example of a double ipa. Founders impresses me more and more with every beer I try. I think this will be in my fridge from now on. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2009 02:47:41 | More by gibby

mechamifune

North Carolina

4.58/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Wow, was absolutely blown away by this beer. Wonderful appearance (wonderful color and not nearly as cloudy or heavy as most other doubles) and pleasant smell upon pouring.

The taste, though, it what really got me. Wonderful hoppy complexion without going overboard, and, for me, by far the most drinkable of any double I have had.

Of the roughly 20 double/imperial IPA's i've had I would not hesitate to say this is the most enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2009 01:56:10 | More by mechamifune

MasterSki

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up some of these on a recent shopping trip. Served in my Kuhnhenn tulip.

A - One finger of yellow-tinged cream foam that dissolves slowly and leaves tons of lacing. Largely opaque peach color with a few tiny bubbles lazily rising to the top of the glass.

S - Pine and citrus hoppiness - lots of lemon zest and grapefruit. There's a good amount of malt backbone as well that prevents the smell from becoming unbalanced. The smell isn't huge, but it's quite enjoyable.

T - Hoppy. Bitter. We're not in Devil Dancer territory, but this is one of the more potent DIPAs I've tried. There's a fair it of citrus and malt sweetness that shows up mid-palate, but never at the expense of the hoppy bitterness. The aftertaste is also unsurprisingly bitter. This should satisfy all be the most hardcore hop-heads.

M - There's quite a bit of carbonation tingle. The beer itself has a good medium body and leaves the expected resinous after-feel. The carbonation makes it a little gritty and dry and less smooth than I prefer.

D - The ABV is very well hidden, but the carbonation gets to me a little. Also, the pervasive bitterness is a little exhausting. I'd be up for two bottles, but that's about it.

Another winner from Founders. These guys can do no wrong.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2009 01:37:20 | More by MasterSki

jeremyd365

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Oh yes! Poured a dark orange thickness and just smelled of pure, floral hops. A solid off white head of which some stuck around awhile. The taste was amazing--a powerful hop sweet/bitter combo that finished as strong as it started. It was thick and almost chewable.. mmmm! Darn decently drinkable for being as thick and strong as it was too. Founders done good again!

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2009 02:54:11 | More by jeremyd365

GbVDave

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a 20oz imperial pint.

A: Pours a hazy, pale, golden-straw color with a bright-white cap of foam that recedes quickly but leaves a healthy amount of lacey ropes and tendrils on the glass.

S: Excellent aromas of pine, grapefruit rind, floral hops, toasty malt, aspirin, apricot, alcohol, and spicy citrus.

T: Flavors of pine and grapefruit loom large here. Along for the ride are cut grass, spicy alcohol, floral/earthy hops, mineral grains, and moist earth.

M: Bitter and prickly. Alcohol flavors take on a peppery edge as well. Dry and spicy hops meld well with the juicy citrus and sticky pineyness.

D: Drinks a lot better and smoother than the 9.4% abv would suggest. Another delicious winner from Founders!

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2009 01:14:52 | More by GbVDave

dukedevil0

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a single bottle from Archer Liquors in Chicago, IL.

A: Pours a hazy unfiltered pale yellow-amber color with white head that leaves good lacing.

S: hops, citrus and pine

T: tastes very piney with bits of citrus and hops; almost bitter grapefruit and pine or something...not very sweet; the more i drink it the more i like it, but it's still not "wow"ing me.

M: Definitely coats the palate which you would expect. above average carbonation

D: high drinkability because the alcohol doesn't stick out. the flavor doesn't keep me coming back for more though. it's a solid brew but nothing i that makes me want to buy another over other DIPAs

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2009 00:07:02 | More by dukedevil0

SupaCelt

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer is an absolute pleasure to drink. It flows forth with a lovely and light faded out orange colour and striking clarity. A modest head rises up for a brief moment before crashing down in paradise. A frothy ring is left in the wake of the plummeting head and scattered patches of spitty lace cling to the vessel as sip after sip passes my lips. The smell carries piny hop essences and that pissy green amarillo hop skunkiness that makes my mouth water. The taste is excellent. Wonderful hop showcase on the palate with a very good balance. The malt presence is well titrated to float the flavour and bitterness of the nuggets. The finish is dry but not parching and flavours linger on the tongue for further examination rather than being swept away in a drought. Just delightful. The drinkability is top notch as this beer is a bold and hefty punch that goes down with ease. I was excited to see this in the cooler and my excitement proved to be justified as I was rewarded with a great brew.

Update May 5, 2009:
I am officially obssessed with this beer at present. I find myself at the brewery on a regular basis ordering several pints and then obtaining growlers for the road, pulling four packs from the coolers of any store I find it lingering about within, having invasive thoughts about it at inappropriate times, etc. I can't put my finger on what exactly it is. Honestly, I have had better tasting brews. Better smelling brews. And to tell you the truth, I think the name is kind of cheesy too. But it just feels good. It works. I love it. It is futile to resist.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2009 21:55:22 | More by SupaCelt