Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree IPA - Dark Horse Brewing Company

Jason

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Here's the closer, the palate killer and perhaps my nightcap. Its one of my favorite styles but it look like Dark Horse is trying to take this style to another level which I like. The bottle is waxed on the top, a strong wax it is so make sure to take care with the sharp blades and such trying to pop this one, I opted for a bit of flame and then cut away the wax. Huge tan foam from a quick cascading session of bubbles form a hard pour. The head retention is surprisingly excellent, some beers with super high alcohol levels tend to loose their head quick but this one doesn't. Clear reddish amber color. Oh yeah, there it is ... the pungent mix of higher alcohols and lots of hop resin in the nose. Thick semi-syrupy body with a long drawn out smoothness and creamy backing. The alcohol is a little hot but not overbearing with more warmth in the back of the mouth and throat with each sip. Maltiness is given a hall pass upfront with a quick running of caramel and graham cracker crust but then the hops take over the show. Bitterness spreads far and wide and eventually engulfs all taste as I know it. Oddly there is not this devastating sharpness that would have killed the drinkability, not balance but more of knowing when enough is enough. Flavors of blood orange, pineapple, tobacco, grapefruit rind and caramel form in the finish. A bitter finish but some of that malt sweetness does leak from the wall of hop bitterness.

One of the most drinkable and pleasant higher alcohol (12% abv+) Double IPAs that I have tasted ever. I'm loving this hop fix.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2008 03:15:31 | More by Jason

Eriktheipaman

Virginia

4/5  rDev -4.3%

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South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

05-23-2013 03:32:15 | More by JISurfer

BradStokley

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -10.3%

05-23-2013 01:23:08 | More by BradStokley

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Michigan

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-22-2013 16:31:14 | More by Bigtwin

IronLover

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Murky, weathered copper orange in color with a viscous appearance. Poured with a short white foam that reduced to a thick cap that left thin, sticky lacings on the glass. Earthy ripe grapefruit and orange citrus hop aromas with boozy alcohol notes overtop caramel malt. On the thinner side of medium bodied with subdued yet rich carbonation through the middle to the end. Biting pine hops up front and into the middle with a pleasant transition to grapefruit and orange flavors followed by an unmistakable alcoholic heat. Finished crisp and dry with a lingering, intense boozy, pine hop bitter aftertaste. Most certainly a sipper whose finer characteristics intensify as this warms up.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 03:03:59 | More by IronLover

BillyLrsn

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

05-21-2013 23:22:29 | More by BillyLrsn

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Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

05-21-2013 13:25:09 | More by mendvicdog

clayrock81

Virginia

4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a golden orange with brownish red tints on top of one-finger head that died slow and left lace. Citric, even grape hop aromas come out and there is some floral notes as well but not overly hoppy nor do malts come out too much in nose. I must say that for a DIPA w/ the ABV hit this thing carries it definitely hides the alcohol. Medium-bodied and smooth, the citric and floral hops come out nicely and there is a bready chewiness and sweet malt (and even touch of sweet fruit flavor) that are balanced and make it a large tasting beer. Finishes dry and crisp but with no alkie burn and this is a dangerous sipper.

Serving type: on-tap

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duceswild

Maryland

4/5  rDev -4.3%

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New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

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Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +13.6%

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Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

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Indiana

4.75/5  rDev +13.6%

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Maine

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

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Indiana

4/5  rDev -4.3%

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Nevada

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

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blackcloud

Alaska

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-19-2013 05:00:58 | More by blackcloud

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Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

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Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -10.3%

05-19-2013 01:12:00 | More by jakeox

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Azerbaijan

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

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Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-18-2013 19:14:19 | More by Sixbolt

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Indiana

3/5  rDev -28.2%

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kemoarps

Washington

4/5  rDev -4.3%

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Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

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