Double Daisy Cutter - Half Acre Beer Company

weatherdog

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

It pours a slightly cloudy golden orange with a nice pale straw head.

The tropical hops are just huge in this. This is a very fresh DIPA and the nose lets me knows that. The pineapple and grapefruit aroma from the Amarillo is just overflowing from the glass. I love me some tropical hops and this hits on all the notes.

The taste is just as bright and fresh as the smell. There is just this sticky resinous grapefruit hop taste that just coats your mouth. The bitterness isn't overly harsh but present. This beer reminds me a ton of fresh Hopslam with just a tiny addition of a malt sweetness at the end. it's almost everything I'm looking for in a DIPA.

The carbonation level is great and pairs nicely with a creamy silky mouthfeel. An alcohol taste is just starting to be present which is a ding on the drinkability since many other DIPA's of this gravity and higher have hidden alcohol better, besides that I think I will be finding myself craving a beer like this during the hot summer days.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2010 06:00:04 | More by weatherdog

paco1029384756

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy orange color with one and a half fingers of creamy white head with good retention.

Scent of sweet tropical fruit, lots of pineapple, mango, grapefruit, and peaches. A hint of caramel malts and resiny hops finish the scent off.

Taste of bitter pine, mango, pineapple, grapefruit, citrus, a hint of caramel, and the lightest touch of alcohol. I find regular Daisy Cutter to be more bitter, but I am loving the overflowing tropical fruit flavors in this beer.

Mouthfeel is medium light bodied and slightly creamy with a medium carbonation, refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2010 18:58:32 | More by paco1029384756

billab914

Virginia

4.45/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I loved Daisy Cutter so when I heard about this version I had to try it. Thanks Matt for making that possible. Poured from a 22oz bottle into my Southern Tier tulip glass. Poured a murky orange color, with a bright white foamy head taking up the top inch of the glass. The head settled a bit but left a pretty decent covering on the beer as I drank it. Pretty good lacing to it as well.

The aroma has a very nice floral, juicy, sweet hoppiness to it. It has a little pine but more of a sweet grapefruit, citrus, tropical flavor than anything else. Excellent aroma overall.

The taste also shows the tropical like, juicy hops very nicely. It finishes slightly sweet with some more tropical flavors. A little bit of pine comes through as well as a little caramel sweetness. Really nice hoppy flavor to it, and really hit the flavor profile for my personal tastes in a hoppy beer.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Drinkability is very good, it's very good tasting and easy drinking. It was an excellent tasting hoppy beer with a very nice aroma as well. One of the best DIPA's I've had.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2010 23:30:07 | More by billab914

levifunk

Wisconsin

4.22/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

jojomdma was nice enough to share this with me

a - hazy orange. peach colored head.

s - citrus hops.

t - mix of citrus and pine hops. orange peal. sweet. bitter finish.

m - light and refreshing. very drinkable.

o - nice DIPA. would recommend to anyone who likes IPA's.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2010 03:39:14 | More by levifunk

NorthsideFred

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up three bottles at the Half Acre Brewery. What a great, laid-back atmosphere.

A: Pours a cloudy orange, with a big white foamy head. Nice lacing.

S: Nice. Similar to some of my favorite double ipa's. Very fresh scent, I detect grapefruit, malt, and perhaps some hints of pine.

T: Taste is good. Crisp, clean, citrus. Bitter, but not too bitter. I like this. Very hoppy, numbs my tongue a bit.

M: Medium body, with lots of tiny boubles.

D: Not bad. Not a session beer, but not bad.

Overall, I liked this quite a bit. Hopefully this won't be a one-time thing.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2010 01:48:55 | More by NorthsideFred

HopHead84

California

4.18/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

5/31/2010

Thanks Alex! Opened on the elevated Pendragon veranda on Memorial Day and poured into a snifter. The beer appears hazy dark orange with a large frothy beige head, good retention, and good lacing.

The nose exhibits soft citrus notes, primarily orange flesh and tangerine with a little grapefruit. This beer has the strongest orange profile I've witnessed on a beer as of late. Light tropical notes are also evident, and there's a dash of caramel malt beneath the hop profile. The nose takes a bit of warming and coaxing, but it's very nice. A little alcohol is noticeable.

The flavor shows the same strong orange flesh profile I found in the nose, with accompanying grapefruit, pine resin, and subtle tropical notes. Bitterness is at an upper moderate level but it seems to compound as I work my way through the glass. There's a subtle alcohol bite near the end that's not really unpleasant, but it's worth noting. Actually, the more I drink the more noticeable the alcohol becomes. It tastes rather strong for only 8% (per the bottle), but it's not detrimental. Nice stuff. The moothfeel is smooth and dry with moderate carbonation. A nice American Double / Imperial IPA from Half Acre, though regular Daisy Cutter would win in a duel.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2010 05:13:17 | More by HopHead84

TrueRates

Kentucky

3.85/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Woo hoo! Heard many great things about this beer and "Oh boy!" are they true! The pour is quite reminiscent of a homebrew. Absolute cloudiness with less than stellar head. Murky apricot color and meringe colored head without the retention. Orange, tangerine, apricot, citrus rind, and the flavors go on. Palate is just like a story. Starts with a resiny fruit and herbal beginning and finishes dry and pale. One wee problem: a tad too boozy. The drinkability is the problem here. I just can't see myself sessioning this beer, let alone a pint of this stuff. Pour me a tulip and goodnight sunshine! Lots of potential here. I love what Half Acre is trying here and no doubt will this beer get perfected much more. Grab this one fresh for sure and enjoy! What a great offering and way to go Chicago!

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2010 02:38:00 | More by TrueRates

homebrew311

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Managed to pick this up before it was all sold out- glad I did!

A: Pours a hazy orangish yellow.. not quite as cloudy as Daisy Cutter and maybe an oranger hue. Dense creamy white head, leaves lots of lacing.

S: Grapefruit, aromatic, juicy hops up front. Lots of tropical flavors going on. The malt isn't nearly as present as is in (single) Daisy Cutter in favor of huge hops. Also some alcohol present on the finish.

T: The front is fruity with notes of grapefruit, orange, and tangerine. Some of the bready malts that are present in Daisy Cutter show up briefly midpalate which then gives way to bittering hops. Notes of pine and earthiness fade into a slight alcohol burn.

MF: medium to full body slightly high on the carbonation. Warming sensation on the finish.

D: Well I think this was a great conversion from an APA to a DIPA. It still highlights the great hop flavors that are present in DC, but amplifies them and makes them dominate the beer. My only complaint is that the alcohol is a bit more present than I would expect with the huge hop character. Overall, another very solid offering from Half Acre.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2010 20:59:34 | More by homebrew311

koopa

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle received in a trade with mrkanable thanks! This was one of 4 offerings I brought to a tasting last night at beerloco's house.

Appearance: Dull cloudy orange with burnt sienna streaks. The crown is 1 finger deep, white, shows little retention but good lace, and has a nice hop oil sheen.

Smell: Pineapple, pine resin, and a hint of toffee malt. Very enjoyable!

Taste: Same as nose but with a strong pine resin finish and a hint of well integrated bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Nearly perfect (4.7) medium body with good carbonation.

Drinkability: Sessionable for your average hophead :)

Great brew....home run Half Acre!

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2010 14:37:54 | More by koopa

sidetracked

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a cloudy deep gold/pale amber with an off-white head.

Smells is tons of bitter citrus, grapefruit and pine.

Citrus and tart orange flavors lead to a very light caramel malt middle. Huge hoppy finish of bitter grapefruit. An onslaught of hops from start to finish.

Medium body with a somewhat high carbonation that works well for the beer.

Based on the name, I expected a beefed up version of Daisy Cutter (which I haven't cared for), but this beer is a whole different animal. The bitter hop flavors are great and the malt presence is just enough to keep the beer from being overly bitter without taking away from the hops. Definately the best offering from Half Acre that I've tried.

5/24/2010

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2010 00:28:33 | More by sidetracked

jrallen34

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this on tap at Half Acre, but I am reviewing based upon the 22oz bottle I brought home...The beer pours with lots of carbonation, good couple fingers of head, good retention, great lacing. The beer is medium orange slightly clear...The aroma is mostly fresh hops with a pine finish, pretty strong, a little to strong for me, not really nicely balaned with any malt on the front... The taste starts out super strong mostly piney hops throughout. Again not overly complex. I really don't like it to start, but the more i drink the less the hops present and becomes pretty easy to drink...I really prefer the original over this, its just a little to strong and less balanced but its ok.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2010 20:16:54 | More by jrallen34

Tbone

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I've had it from tap, growler, and bottle.

An exception DIPA.
It pours an unfiltered hazy yellow. To repeat myself from other reviews, I'll trade the overrated dimension of clarity for the body and taste of unfiltered brews any day.
The aroma hits you from feet away. Full of citrus and mangos.
The taste is more of the same, bright and refreshing at first, with a lingering bitterness and a dry finish that is unusual for the style but expected given the dryness of the original Daisy Cutter.
It's has a good body, but w/o the sticky sugary weight of most DIPAs.
The fact that its thinner and dryer than most DIPAs makes it highly drinkable, and one of the few DIPA's I could drink several of in a sitting.

Hope this becomes at least a yearly release.

Serving type: on-tap

05-26-2010 16:34:19 | More by Tbone

ommegoose

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Poured in a small sifter to maximize aroma. Comes a bit at the expense of appearance, as there's not much room for head formation, but it does leave a healthy ring and rows of lacing. Color is basically the same as the original.

Big pineapply aroma that didn't appear as much in the original. Very citric and fruity, but has some dry crispness too. Grassy herbal hops appear as well.

This packs a lot more bitterness than the regular DC, but it lets up a bit when it warms and the palate adjusts and it does become a lot like a big version of DC. It's really to me more like an extra pale ale than an IIPA. Malt is a bit nutty, but otherwise very clean.

The feel is still quite solid. Well, not literally. Low carbonation, smooth and full.

Unfortunately one of the best things about the DC was how drinkable it was, and this just doesn't match that attribute. It does really lend credibility to the drinakability score on BA. And moreover, I love Half Acre, but this is not a $10 bomber, even if it is quite an enjoyable drink.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2010 05:44:03 | More by ommegoose

wilwfu

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

Pours cloudy with a big fluffy white head that lingers all the way down. Smell is very dank and outrageously potent... mangos and fresh grass clippings dominate. I could sit and smell this thing all night; in fact my whole kitchen smells of the stuff after I poured it. It goes down smooth but with a real light mouth feel for a dipa. The taste is slightly more subdued than the smell, but still very much a mix of citrus fruits and grassy/resiney hop cones, one with absolutely no lingering astringency or bitterness. Slightly low level of carbonation makes it something I could drink a lot of... and drink a lot of fresh.

No idea how it will hold up, so grab some and drink it now! Agree with the chicago gang that it could use a little more body and ramped up malt bill, but for a first try this thing is mighty tasty. yes please!

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2010 02:42:37 | More by wilwfu

GbVDave

Illinois

4.58/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a Loterbol tulip.

A: Pours a hazy apricot nectar color. Carbonation is quite lazy. Capping this is three fingers of off-white/light orange meringue that retain for a bit, and leave some drooping ropey lace behind on the glass.

S: Holy crap! The Daisy painted on the front of the bomb on the label in no way prepared me for the hop explosion I was to partake in. So many layers of hoppy goodness. Starts tropical; sweet mango, pineapple, and apricot...veers towards the citrus side; orange, tangerine, and a touch of lemon...and finally buries itself firmly in a layer of pine sap, white pepper, fresh cut grass, and slightly sweet and toasty malt. Masterful.

D: Exactly as above. I agree with some of the other reviewers here that said that this could use more of a malt backbone. It can. But, the level of hoppiness makes up for it.

M: Ok. It's (ever so) slightly thin. But, the resinous, sticky, peppery, prickly hops assaulted my tongue and managed to wear a layer of enamel off of my teeth.

D: Fantastic balance. If they make this again (oh please, oh please!) and decided to slightly tweak the malt bill...well, I feel sorry for the west coast IPA's out there!

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2010 00:12:07 | More by GbVDave

hawks10

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle poured into my Half Acre pint glass...

Pours a dark gold color with ruby/amber highlights, nice and hazy, thick...Three fingers of super foamy soft white, meringue-like head forms and leaves a ton of lacing...I am beginning to notice a trend with Half Acre beers and their incredible head...

Super fruity and piny in the nose. Starts with loads of tropical and citrus fruit aromas, grapefruit, mango and orange...the sweetness gives way to an incredible smell of some damn fine sticky-icky...rounds out with some pine and cut grass...the sweetness comes back again on the back end...

Starts off with some initial sweetness, the tropical fruits in the nose come through in the taste...the sweet, juicy goodness is very short-lived as the beer makes a dramatic, bitter turn...super piny, resinous and oily, grassy and floral. The citrus/fruity aspects never make a return appearance, this beer stays piny and bitter till the end, becoming more and more so as I work through the bottle. Some alcohol starts to show through the more I drink...

Medium to full bodied, drinks thick and and oily. Carbonation is there but pretty subtle as this is a pretty thick and slick brew...finishes pretty dry...

Definitely enjoying this new one from Half Acre (who continue to release incredible beers...)...definitely a different beast than regular Daisy Cutter, the bitterness and body is really stepped up in this one. Not as easy to drink as the regular one and probably something I wouldn't reach for as often as the regular Daisy Cutter, but still, this one is a definite winner...

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2010 22:59:32 | More by hawks10

beertooth

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle served in a Bell's tulip.

This beer pours a hazy apricot orange with two fingers of thick rocky eggshell white head. It looks like an awesome IPA/DIPA.

The nose is bright and full of hoppy goodness. Mango, grapefruit rind, pine, fresh cut grass, It's very tropical and very citrusy. I'm even picking out a little chive or onion as well.

The taste is heavy on the grapefruit and citrus with grassy herbal notes, pine, and mango a re still there as well. I'm also detecting some sweet cookie dough malts, but not much. It finishes dry and a little thin. It's bitter, but it doesn't linger. I really wish the malt bill was a little heavier.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a lower level of carbonation. It's a little thin for a DIPA.

Not a bad DIPA by any means, but there is room for improvement and a heavier malt bill is something I would desire. I had no problem finishing the bottle fairly quickly. I have a feeling this one will fade really fast so drink up now before it does.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2010 03:52:55 | More by beertooth

MasterSki

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked this up at Half Acre last Thursday, the first (and likely) only day it was available. Served in my Kuhnhenn tulip glass.

A - Pours with a voluminous three fingers of foam that slowly dissipates to a thick chunky cap and glass-coating lacing. The body is a hazy golden apricot golden that glows when held to the light.

S - Pine, dank weed, fresh oranges, tropical fruit punch - all kinds of hoppy goodness here. There is a touch of malt backbone, but this is very West Coast in vibe with only a touch of sugar cookie and toffee peeking through.

T - Taste is full of pine, oranges, and bitterness. Again, not a ton of malt showing up here, with a touch of candied citrus and caramel. The residual bitterness gets more and and more intense as I make my way through the bottle, getting perhaps a bit more aggressive than I prefer.

M - The mouthfeel is a bit gritty although the carbonation isn't overly harsh. The body is decidedly medium, and the finish is oily and resinous, but only slightly drying.

D - The bitterness is more of an impediment than the ABV, which is on the lower end of the spectrum for Double IPAs anyway. Otherwise this is a terrific and highly enjoyable hop bomb from the guys at Half Acre.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2010 22:04:20 | More by MasterSki

emerge077

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Got a couple bottles at Half Acre yesterday.
Decided to review since it was a little different than the cask serving.

Into a tulip, it's a deep orange with a moderate haze. Some frothy lace licks the sides, and sticks as it dries out. Retention is good, the initial head is creamy with irregular crags and peaks on the surface.

Pungent citrusy grapefruit and orange peel, some woody leafy green stuff also.
Tropical and strong with the fumes.

Bright citrus hits you right of the bat, with a receding resiny hop bitterness in the end. Tropical flourishes of mango are dancing in there, over a densely citrus and grassy hop profile. Fairly balanced for a DIPA, smooth and easy to sip, but not so much a session beer. Sticky on the lips, a steady firm bitterness that lingers well into the aftertaste, leaving traces of grapefruit rind on the tongue. Very punchy and not for the faint hearted. As I said in my other review, this is in the realm of Dreadnaught, Goose IIPA, and Flossmoor IPA's like XIPA and FUd0b.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2010 23:49:25 | More by emerge077

rudylaw

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had on cask and bottle... going with the bottle review for this.

Pours a hazy straw with a rocky, two-finger head.

Smells amazing! Grass, pine, grapefruit, orange, lemon peel.

Taste is just that with a sharp, bitter finish. Catching some floral notes on the back end. It's very evident this is Daisy Cutter's hotter, more experienced sister. It's noticeably stronger but the alcohol is still relatively hidden compared to other IIPAs.

Almost perfect carbonation and finishes nice and clean. Let's hope this isn't a one-off for CBW and Half Acre puts this into year-round rotation.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2010 23:47:39 | More by rudylaw

thetomG

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev 0%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bomber into my 3 Floyds pub pint glass.

The one is a stunning cloudy honey color with some huge fluffy white head that dissipates over time but leave a TON of thick lacing up the side of the glass.

The aroma is is excellent with some piney & grassy hoppiness dominating. Flavors are quite similar but with an initial burst of citrusy sweetness giving way to a nice strong (but not overwhelming) bitterness in the finish.

Carbonation is spot on and it feels very nice on the palate.

I'm really enjoying this beer and will definitely be drinking this one again.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2010 23:05:09 | More by thetomG

AgentZero

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had at the tapping on 5/19/10 at Smallbar Fullerton in Chicago.

A - Super, super cloudy, almost like really pulpy grapefruit joice. Tons of floaties in this one including some green hoppy stuff. Not much head on mine, just a small cap of whitish foam. Pretty dark, murky yellowish color.

S - Fruity, hoppy, but not as hoppy as I was expecting it to be. I actually think regular Daisy Cutter has a bit more of a hop bite to it. Some grapefruit, but not super citrusy like I was expecting. Solid.

M - Smooth, polish, just like a cask beer. Pretty full bodied and heavy, may have had tons to do with the floaties. Seemingly flat and undercarbonated like most cask beers I have had.

D - More of a sipper than anything else, I would like to see this with some more hop bite, citrus, and more carbonation.

Serving type: cask

05-21-2010 22:32:50 | More by AgentZero