Double Sunshine IPA - Lawson's Finest Liquids

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

4.54/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Had a glass of this at Blackback in Waterbury. From notes.

A - Poured cloudy orange with a ton of carbonation. One finger of off white head and good spotty lace with a film of retention.

S - Juicy. Holy hell. Juicy bright hops. Hops from all directions. Grapefruit and pineapple for sure.

T - Really nice hop profile. Bright. Mango, sweet fruit, resin, peach, and lovely floral notes. Beautiful.

M - Nice strong bitterness. Oily. Good carbonation, medium body.

O/D - A really nice DIPA. Really lovely with so much complexity and great flavours. Nice to sip and figure out while being easy to drink. Good stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2013 03:02:13 | More by tbeckett

Kinsman

New Hampshire

4.56/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed on tap at Three Penny Taproom in Montpelier.

A hazy pale orange fills the glass with a nice bit of light white head. Aroma is straight up tropical fruits with lots of mango and grapefruit.

First taste is fruity and juicy with lots of great hop flavors coming through. Grapefruit and maybe even a bit of pineapple in there as well. A nice malt presence that carries the hop flavors well. Smooth medium bodied feel makes it go down like a beer half it's strength. Overall, this beer is right on par with the likes of Heady and Abner but in it's own unique way. Hard to say which is the best

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2013 22:51:34 | More by Kinsman

nootch23

Massachusetts

4.88/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had this fine gem on tap in Waterbury, VT after hearing so many good things about it. I'm a lover of IPAs and this one ranks up there, Top 5 for me all time. Smell was a full floral scent, a mixture of hops and citrus. The taste was very similar to Heady Topper. If there are differences, they are slightly noticeable. Very light tasting with a slight bitterness to it but very well balanced. This is one of the best IPAs out there. Not quite better than Heady but I would definitely rank it above Pliny. Love this IPA and can't wait to have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2012 20:00:03 | More by nootch23

Vermont-the-Trader

5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I've had this beer many times..Best place to have it-on tap at the PIG.
This is right up there with Heady Topper and anything by Hill Farmstead.
I travel to the Warren Store often and depending on what the selection is at the time,i can usually score me up some tasty Lawson's. I'm always up for trading, let me know.

Okay, the double sunshine is almost do i dare say it: Heady Topper.
Same look and feel but taste a bit more bodied. Beautiful gold color, super creamy from head to finish. Very thick lacing, and such an inviting nose. One swallow and the first thing to come to mind is: Liquid Gold! I'm not sure of the hop content, lets just say Hop Heads are smiling every where about this beer.

I'll post a review on the Triple IPA as well, have a few in the fridge right now.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2012 12:57:29 | More by Vermont-the-Trader

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev -16%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed On tap at Prohibition Pg. White foam on yellow suds. A DIPA level of bitterness. Good drinkability, above average mouthfeel. Only a faint hop aroma. What a way to start, with a DIPA in the afternoon. Lots of citrus flavour, fruity. The alcohol is there.

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2012 11:40:50 | More by northyorksammy

mltobin

Connecticut

4.15/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served on-tap in Vermont.

Appearance is a cloudy orange tone with one finger of a bright white head. Its` nose has pineapple, lemons, hop resin. This a beer with a fantastic nose, perhaps a bit "dank" but nice. Moving on to the taste, there are citrus hops, good bitterness, some bread. Mouthfeel is medium with a rather dry finish which lingers for some time. All in all, a very nice DIPA, not as nice as a certain beer made a few towns away.

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2012 01:19:49 | More by mltobin

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-Pours a lightly hazed golden orange. Head is exact. Off-white and dense but still tall. This beer retains its cap perfectly. This surely looks the part; especially with the lacing it leaves.

S-Nose is piney and blatantly hop-forward. Definitely stresses the abrasive pine and grass qualities more than the tropical/fruity aspects. Grains and cracker malt. Mild caramel. Floral hoppiness too.

T-Akin to the nose. Green grass and heaps of pine. Grains back up the coercive piney flavors. Liter fruited hops. You get some moderate citrus and grapefruit. Florals kick in too. Finishes quite bitter and piney. Tastes great but could use a bit more complexity.

M-Medium body with moderate carbonation. Finish is dry and endlessly bitter. Resinous.

O/D-Overall, this did not live up to my awkwardly high expectations. This is a more pine-stressed DIPA. That being said, this is still a world class brew. I just prefer a bit more citrus and fruit in my DIPA. Great brew. I can see why this is so highly regarded, but its not in the same realm as others from the state of VT.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2012 23:27:36 | More by VelvetExtract

BostonHops

Massachusetts

4.48/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

(review transcribed from notes, on-tap at the ACBF in boston, 06/04/11. based on multiple samples. between this and the acer quercus i spent a good amount of time camped out in the lawson's line.)

pours a burnished gold tone with a touch of haze, yields a nice creamy head with good retention and lacing evident. nose is wonderfully aromatic, delivering a big hoppy bouquet of citrus and tropical fruits, with secondary notes of malt and pine. outstanding aroma.

more of the same delivered in the flavor. lot of tropical/citric goodness with just enough balancing malt. very, very nicely done. i think it compares well with FW double jack, one of my current favorite DIPAs. medium-bodied mouthfeel with average carbonation.

overall, very nicely done. lawson's has impressed the hell out of me, though doing so seems to come easily for them. if we could just ramp up the production a bit and get some ditributed to MA...

(originally reviewed: 06-08-2011)

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2012 22:50:05 | More by BostonHops

tobelerone

New Jersey

4.73/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Upon drinking this on tap at the Farmhouse in Burlington it struck me, not for the first time, that when beer is of this quality it’s merely taste which determines how one will rank it and where it should be put in our personal pantheon of any particular style. I was lucky enough to have this side by side with Hill Farmstead’s Abner and later that day, a very fresh can of Heady Topper. I’ve had Pliny and Blind Pig and multiple Alpine IPA’s, Surly’s Abrasive and Furious, and Double Sunshine was likely my favorite of all of them. They’re all phenomenal but on this particular day at least, I was completely blown away by how good this was.

The beer is very slightly hazy and golden with a fluffy white head that settles down slowly, leaving nice lacing on the glass. The aroma bursts up at you, with fresh and extremely vivid tropical fruit and citrus as well as some floral and resinous pine notes. A faint hint of sweet maltiness is also detected. The flavor is simply delicious, with the malt just propping the hops up ever so slightly with a subtle caramel taste and never intruding. Complex fruity hops dominate, with lots of grapefruit, orange, lemon, pineapple, etc. Piney notes also come into play. Bitterness is very moderate and while present doesn’t overshadow the hop details.

Medium bodied, with moderate carbonation and a very smooth overall feel. Alcohol is undetected and the finish lingers quite pleasantly, with all those hop subtleties hanging around. Again, this one is at least as good as anything hoppy I’ve ever tried.

Serving type: on-tap

05-30-2012 03:58:26 | More by tobelerone

durrrr

Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed on tap at Three Penny Taproom in Montpelier, VT recently.

The appearance is nearly a lemon yellow color, hazy and unfiltered. beautiful white head. It looks like bright sunshine.

The nose is loaded with citrus notes. HUGE citrus. Lemon, grapefruit, and even a hint of orange and lime perhaps?

This is a unique and delicious DIPA. The flavor is huge on citrus and well hopped throughout. You get this bright, citrus bitter hop profile with some pine and lemongrass notes that lingers and transitions into a slightly sweet, slightly sour, slightly dry, bitter finish. The finish stands out the most to me as unique for this style. Like fresh lemon zest and orange peel with great citrus, sour/sweet bitterness to send the taste out with a bang and leave you wanting more. Well balanced for my taste. Abv not noticeable and Malt stays out of the way and let the hops shine.

Mouthfeel is great! Zesty with moderate/strong carbonation throughout... a little creamy towards the middle and then bitter/sweet/sour at the finish.

Overall another fantastic DIPA coming out of vermont. I'm looking forward to trying more of Lawson's hoppy beers as this one is delicious and unique for the style. It really stands out to me. Try it!

Serving type: on-tap

03-31-2012 14:42:19 | More by durrrr

brystmar

New York

4.18/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at Blind Tiger. Enjoyed this from the bottle a few weeks back; remember liking it but not being blown away. Let's see how it fares on tap...

Aroma on this baby is incredible! Fresh, juicy citrus comes through nearly as strongly as the hop profile. Kept some in my glass for awhile just to keep smelling it. Can't get enough of this aroma!

Taste is about the same as I remembered from the bottle. My 4oz pour isn't getting much attention though, as I definitely prefer the draft pour of Heady Topper sitting next to it.

All in all, Double Sunshine is a solid West Coast DIPA from the Vermont crew.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2012 04:41:32 | More by brystmar

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4.13/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at The Farmhouse Tap and Grille Burlington VT.
Pours a hazy golden orange color with a fluffy white head that sticks around for a while. Smells of pine, citrus, apricot, lemons, grapefruit, malt maybe. Taste is slightly bitter with lots of fruity citrusy hop goodness. Smooth resinous mouthfeel with a medium body and a moderate level of carbonation. This didn't look like much in the glass but was really nice going down. Too bad this is so frikin hard to find.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2012 00:48:12 | More by johnnnniee

greenmonstah

New Hampshire

4.68/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

On tap at the Blackback Pub in Waterbury VT

A - Hazy golden-orange with a two-finger head. Incredible retention and lacing that sticks in big clumps for days. Gorgeous.

S - Pine and grapefruit hops balanced perfectly with caramel sweetness. The aroma is up there with Pliny, no doubt. Very west coast -- hop forward, favoring the tropical fruits but balanced with pine.

T - Bitter hops up front, with grapefruit and pine flavors. Transition into a honey and caramel sweetness finishing with a dry toasted grain. This beer is impossibly tasty. Everything I look for in an IPA and more.

M - Medium in body. Perfect degree of dryness in the finish. Starts out a bit sharp from the carbonation and bitterness and this doesn't quite go away.

O - One of the best IPAs I have ever had, without a doubt. Deserves the reputation as one of the best. This beer balances bitter and sweet perfectly and incorporates many complimenting flavors with a body that matches it well. I was floored.

EDIT: Drinking Pliny today Feb 20... These beers are very similar, particularly in Taste. Amazing beer, this.

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2012 01:33:23 | More by greenmonstah

tempest

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Reservoir in Waterbury, VT. Stopped by with friends for dinner on the way back from Stowe, and damn this hit the spot. The body is on the lighter side for the style, which I prefer, and the hop character is heavy on floral citrus, with an earthy undertone. The hops vary between fruity and juicy to a more herbal lemon, with a hit of spice. Damn tasty overall. Very hoppy, but I could enjoy a few glasses. You should.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2012 03:35:13 | More by tempest

rowingbrewer

Massachusetts

4.97/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is a phenomenal ipa. This beer pours a golden yellow color with light orange hues. The smell is citrus and pine hops all rolled into one. The flavor is hugely hoppy with a real hop bite the citrus comes through first then the piney hops forward the middle followed by a bitter dry hop bite. This is the reason lawsons won the ipa crown. This beer has a nice light to medium body with good carbonations and a crisp bitter bite. Overall tied for my top two favorite ipas the other being Abner from hill farmstead.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2011 13:06:54 | More by rowingbrewer

tzieser

Arizona

5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

enjoyed on-tap at the reservoir in waterbury, vt on 11/12/11.

a: served in a lawson's finest liquids glass. bright yellow in color with a very thick haze. wow! this is almost as bright as sunshine! (sorry, i just had to)

s: heavy citrus and flowery hop aroma. smells like a field of wildflowers and giant sliced-open grapefruits. no joke. probably the most citrus/flower/tropical hop aroma i have ever smelled.

t: citrus hop flavor dominates with flavors of tropical fruits like passionfruit and mango. slight bitter pine character. perfectly balanced and surprisingly refreshing. want more.

i was completely blown away by this double ipa. i knew it was going to be delicious, but i didn't think it would be "highlight-of-my-trip" delicious. well done, and deserves the straight fives.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2011 02:05:01 | More by tzieser

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tap at black back pub in Waterbury, VT.

nice big head, fades slowly with nice soapy lacing, hazy golden carrot orange color.

Nose had light malts, nice tropical fruits, hint of citrus, tangerine, bit earthy, citrus rind, nice light but fruity, hint of malts.

Taste is creamy malts, sweet ish, tropical fruits, nice big citrus orange rind, tangerine, peach, mango, touch pineapple, fairly bitter, nice big long bitter hoppy finish, more lingering citrus and tropical fruit, more bitterness and dry finish.

Mouth is med bodied, decent carb.

Overall great, bit too dry on the finish, but great hops and nice touch of a malty balance, great tropical fruits and fruits in general. And amazingly drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2011 23:00:42 | More by jlindros

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.9/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On tap at the pub near the alchemist cannery. Poured into an Allagash tulip.

A - Pours a hazy golden hue with a massive two finger creamy head that leaves huge side lacing and as nice creamy blanket.

S - Super fresh hops and bright sunshine on the nose. Assault!!!

T - Wow super hoppy and tasty with light malt sweetness. Great light pine and lots of tasty bitter grapefruits. Delicious.

M - nice and sharp/crisp with a delicious bitter citrus rind finish.

O - Overall I really really enjoyed this beer it is delicious. I want to drink this everyday all day.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2011 18:41:40 | More by rudzud

perrymarcus

Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

on-tap: review based on multiple samples at the ACBF (boston, 06/04/11). between this and the acer quercus i spent a good amount of time camped out in the lawson's line.

pours a burnished gold tone with a touch of haze, yields a nice creamy head with good retention and lacing evident.

nose is aromatic; just full of flavor. big hoppy bouquet of citrus and tropical fruits, with secondary notes of malt and pine. outstanding aroma.

more of the same delivered in the flavor. lot of tropical/citric goodness with just enough balancing malt. very, very nicely done. i think it compares well with FW double jack, one of my current favorite DIPAs.

medium-bodied mouthfeel with average carbonation.

overall, very nicely done. lawson's has impressed the hell out of me, though doing so seems to come easily for them. if we could just ramp up the production a bit and get some ditributed to MA...

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2011 05:24:23 | More by perrymarcus

funkel81

California

5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

simply put, the perfect beer. try it and try to disagree with me

smells like it was dry hopped with angel wings

tastes like it was brewed with love

i only wish it were available outside of vermont

i'm not great at describing tastes (obviously) but this might be my new favorite ipa

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2011 03:39:39 | More by funkel81

Robtobfest

Connecticut

4.93/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Reviewed from notes at Friday's session of 2011 ACBF. Many times through the Lawson's line for this one.
A- This DIPA pours a nice golden color with a pure white fluffy head that billows up to the top of the glass and retains for a minute or two.

S- This is without a doubt the best smelling DIPA I've ever had. A heavy dose of tropical fruit slap you in the face. Pineapple mango at the forefront. The is also a bit of pine in there. This smells so fresh it is unreal.

T- The taste is just fantastic. It starts with all tropical fuit and has a bit of a pine bite at the end. There is no syrupiness that you get in a lot of DIPA's. The malt is there but in the background. Cannot detect the alcohol in this 8% DIPA. I would go as far as to say very refreshing. Again, cannot stress enough how fresh this tastes.

M- Mouthfeel is medium as there is no syrupy maltiness.

O- Overall this is a true A+ beer. This is the best DIPA I've had yet. The aroma is just about the best thing I have smelled. Thanks Lawson's for bringing this to the ACBF as sadly I won't be tasting it again for some time. Cheers Sean!

Serving type: on-tap

06-05-2011 00:56:42 | More by Robtobfest

Brad007

Vermont

4.33/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a yellowish-gold color with a frothy head.

Grassy hops with a touch of citrus as well. Perhaps a hint of mint as well.

The taste is full of a citrus blast that overrides the grassiness. Its just where it should be.

Mouthfeel is full of lingering citrus and perhaps a smidgen of malt.

Deceptively drinkable with more of a balance than I expected. I would certainly buy it if it were more readily available.

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2011 01:49:11 | More by Brad007

jvillefan

California

4.75/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

A: It has a hazy golden yellow body with an off white two finger head that hangs around for a long time.

S: One of the more complicated hop profiles I've ever had. There is a citrus dominate front that contains heavy lemon and grapefruit. It then transitions to a Simcoe pine heavy finish. There is a subtle caramel note running throughout the entire nose.

T: Nearly a perfect blend of malt and hops. The flavor is uniform from start to finish. There is a sweet caramel and bready flavor that is what an IPA backbone should be. The hops match the nose pretty well. There is citrus (lemon, apricot, and grapefruit), pine, and that dank hop flavor that is delicious.

M: Perfect body. It is very smooth and has a great carbonation bite.

O: I was expecting this beer to be good but overrated. I was wrong. This beer lives up to the hype. Well worth actively pursuing if you are a fan of well balanced IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 05:19:08 | More by jvillefan

writerLJBerg

Oregon

3.94/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Found this review from a long time ago in my notebook. 22oz bottle courtesy of LoPo87 at a tasting.

A: Cloudy straw yellow and lacks lacing.

N: Sweet and hoppy. Grapefruit, pine, biscuit, and mango.

T: Sweet malt, pine, some drying floral hops. Little bit of spice and pepper.

M: Very drying and it's very clean. There's definitely some alcohol here.

O: A worthy DIPA, but it's not a beer I'd gush about. Certainly a recommend if you like this style scraping and pine-filled. Definitely better than Heady Topper which we had at the same time.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 04:07:02 | More by writerLJBerg

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber courtesy of TheLostGringo, poured into a Gandhi-Bot tulip. Been pining after this one for quite some time.

A: Very slightly hazed pale amber body under an inch of fine off-white head. Standard retention, plenty of delicate lace. Attractive.

S: Much more subdued than I was expecting, but once I stick my nose down in the glass I get some nice ripe tangerine balanced against a keen minty herbal note. Lovely, but not the room-filling hoppiness I was hoping for.

T: My first sip more than makes up for any disappointment I felt from the nose, as this is a truly delicious brew. Richly juicy citrus hops are front and center, with orange, tangerine, grapefruit, and mango. Underneath the sweet hops is a layer of pleasantly bready malt, followed by clean herbal bitterness on the finish. Absolutely phenomenal.

M: Soft, well-carbonated medium body. Velvety.

O: Great. I think I'd still take Heady or S&S #5 over this, but it would be a tough decision. Worth the hype, and by far my favorite Lawson's IPA.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 03:27:38 | More by woosterbill