Double Haul IPA - Kettle House Brewing Co.

IronDjinn

Alberta (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Received a 4 pack of this in the parking lot of the Laughing Dog Brewery from Vern, the rep who brings Idaho and Montana beers into Alberta these days. Thanks! From a 473 ml blue can. Pours out a clear burnished copper hue, tall foamy off-white head that retains well.

Clean floral and citrus hops on the nose, toffee and clean grains as well.

Clean biscuit and caramel malt up front in the flavour, spicy, herbal hops in the middle, with more spicy hops on the finish, and a clean yet herbally astringent aftertaste.

Medium-bodied mouthfeel, smooth silky texture with medium carbonation.

If not for the abv% this would make an ideal session ale, and that aside, it still makes a great offering to spend an evening with. Very clean on all fronts, yet strikes me more as an English IPA than an American based on the flavour profile of the hops, but that's merely from the lack of whollaping grapefruit in the mix. Definitely an IPA worth checking out, I hope to see more of this available locally sometime soon.

Serving type: can

06-05-2012 01:35:06 | More by IronDjinn

hopfacebrew

Colorado

3.83/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Kiddwhiz hooked this beer up, thanks man! Poured from can, awesome name btw, to a pint glass the beer pours a translucent copper color with orange edges in the light. A small half finger off-white head with some retention and nice lacing. Malty and floral hoppy in the nose. More balanced and malt than I anticipated. Somewhat subdued. The flavor follows suit with a foundation of caramel malts. The hops then begin to blend and provide a balanced flavor. Sweet. Medium bitterness. Finishes with a lingering bitterness and sweetness on the tongue. The beer seems a bit under carbonated though medium bodied. Overall, not a bad offering and nice to have sampled!

Serving type: can

02-29-2012 13:47:24 | More by hopfacebrew

orangesol

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Deuane for sharing this can with us, my first Montana beer!

A - Pours deep amber orange with a dense one finger tall white head leaving light lace down the glass.

S - Smells of sweet caramel malt, earthy hops, dulled citric fruit, and some light spice. This one may be a tiny bit old but it still has lots to offer.

T - Starts off with quite a bit of sweet caramel malt slowly giving way to a mix of earthy hops, dulled citric fruits, and some pine resin. This one really is malt forward. Finish is a mix of bitterness and sweetness, clinging to the pallet.

M - Medium body and flavor with moderate carbonation. Bitter-Sweet feel that clings to the pallet long after consumption.

O - Nothing mind blowing but still a solid IPA. Glad I got to try it, thanks again Deuane.

Serving type: can

01-10-2012 00:40:56 | More by orangesol

oline73

Maryland

3.3/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a can into a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a clear amber with a three finger off white head. The head fades to a ring around the edge of the glass.

Smell: Citrus hops with some apricot and a sweet malty background.

Taste: More mild than the smell. Some citrus peel hops along with a strong bready malt backbone. The finish is bitter.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: I would have liked a stronger flavor. The hop profile is good, but this just isn't an amazing beer.

Serving type: can

11-10-2011 00:45:00 | More by oline73

18alpha

Montana

4/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a good IPA. It is fairly malty so the hops don't stand out as much as they may in other IPAs. Not a terribly complex IPA but a nice beer. If you are looking for an IPA to take to the river or golf course (i.e. in a can) this is your best option--currently your only option. I think it is a lot better on draft at the source. This is my favorite Kettlehouse beer.

Serving type: can

11-05-2011 01:21:40 | More by 18alpha

jamescain

Texas

3.23/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a sniffer, thanks to whoever brought this one to share a the tasting.

Appearance: Pours a clear light orange with a fluffy white head that clings to the side of the glass, not the best head retention though.

Aroma: It comes off as slightly musty, could have to do with the age since I don't know what it is, there is also a subtle spicy and earthy hop aroma.

Taste: Very clean with a malty flavor of toffee and caramel, not much hop presence.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied with medium carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: Not that impressive, I probably wouldn't buy another one.

Serving type: can

10-12-2011 16:58:37 | More by jamescain

Cavery

California

2.45/5  rDev -32.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Acquired from a grocer in proximity to the brewpub. A family member got me a growler fill and sent me some fresh cans to supplement.

Dated 8/2x/11 (bit of smear on the bottom labeling).

A: Light orange brown body character with some soft filmy head. Not much in terms of head retention or lacing, I thought that maybe it was a bit cold, but even a semi-violent pour yielded nothing. The core of the body looks very much like a diluted homemade jam, with a lot of dark iced tea qualities. Definitely missing the head on this thing.

S: Light hard toffee candy with some dusty malt sweetness. The malt nose comes through too gently, and is really missing any aromatic hop quality. Semi-oily plant smells that is suggestive of a mild plant seed note. A little bit of hot dried caramel on kettlecorn.

T: A very tame malt sweetness that immediately made me think "irish red". This is very mild in flavor. Rustic breads seem to define the flavor profile due to an absence of bolder flavors I associate with the style. Thin cracker breads add to the civil war hard tack flavor. Quite underwhelmed here.

M: Lighter body than I'd expect in style, and it features that sort of day old open soda pop carbonation feel. Some spaced out weak carbonation causes the bubbles to rapidly leave like heat out of an open oven. This is very mediocre in the mouth, aspirin dryness in the finish.

O: This was just confusing to drink. I couldn't even really get a feel for the style of this beer, the only thing that told me this was an IPA was the can. There was no clear hop note in the aroma, nor was there a dominant malt presence in the flavor. Way too much of a medicinal flavor and mouth feel. As I had it in this can, I wouldn't even find a reason to finish a taster.

Serving type: can

09-18-2011 03:46:07 | More by Cavery

arizcards

Arizona

3.83/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a four-pak of 16oz cans from Wolds Valley Market yesterday for $8.39. Canned on 8/31/11.

Beer poured a light copper with a white head that left some lacing behind.

Nose is mainly caramel malts with some hints of citrus.

Taste is bready malts finishing with a large amount of citrus zest.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with decent carbonation, somewhat smooth.

Overall this is a good brew, a bit of a cross between a pale and ipa, though the hop blast in the end does officially make it an ipa. Had it on tap at the Iron Horse in Missoula and thought it was better there. Give it a try if you like ipa's!

Serving type: can

09-06-2011 21:51:15 | More by arizcards

Bockrules

New Mexico

3.65/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

poured from the can (pint) into a pint glass. Canned on may 26th (3 months old).

A - Pours a perfectly clear copper with a hint of orange. Minimal carbonation runs to the dense, two-finger, tanish head. Head is a ring of bubbles about 3/4ths down the glass. Eaves behind a large wall of lacing.

S - Light floral hop notes on a bready malt background. Not especially potent.

T - Caramal malt upfront. The body of the beer strikes an excellent balance between the floral hops and caramel malt to create a nice sugar cane sensation. This sensation increases as the beer passes over the back of the tongue and then slowly fades into a slightly bitter cane-sugar finish.

M - Seems a tad flat. Could use a strong CO2 injection to make it peppier. Medium bodied and retains moderate chewyness.

From this beer, I learned that a Double Haul was - seems fitting given all the great rivers up in Montana. This beer certainly "hit the spot" for me (as the can claims) thanks to that elusive sugar-cane flavor that certain beers seem to have, but overall was meerly a better-than-average IPA. A more exciting mouthfeel would have put this beer in the next tier and lured me back for more.

Serving type: can

08-30-2011 05:46:54 | More by Bockrules

dirtylou

Washington

3.63/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

16oz can, purchased and consumed within yellowstone

appearance: lively copper body, healthy white foam

smell: dry malt, bitter hop resin, a bit spicy

taste: fairly malt forward - rustic and grainy, the present hops provide a fairly bitter turn without a significant amount of citrus flavor, a bit spicy, toasted grain

mouthfeel: sharp bitterness, light carbonation

overall: pretty good, but the other 2 kettlehouse beers i consumed were better

Serving type: can

07-11-2011 17:26:17 | More by dirtylou

pintOast

Montana

3.95/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

When I'm not drinking my own home brew, the Kettlehouse's Double Haul IPA is my staple brew. I try to support my local breweries and this beer makes it pretty damn easy. They were one of the first craft breweries in Missoula to introduce cans. Cans are welcome in Zoo town because they no longer recycle glass here. Not to mention, cans are much more suitable for the active, Montana, outdoor lifestyle (especially for floating the rivers).

A - Decent head retention, clarity is phenomenal, copper gold in color
S - Initial aroma is hop pungent, guessing centinnels and cascades, then settles down
T - Little bit of malty sweetness, citrus and nut, hop flavor dominates
M - Somewhat dry & crisp, palate retains hop flavor, not overly carbonated, not much body
D - This is a solid IPA, very drinkable, one of the best canned IPAs any small micro brewery has to offer

Serving type: can

07-03-2011 04:59:27 | More by pintOast

zhanson88

California

3.15/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance: Double Haul pours a brilliant, clear, vibrant copper color with a couple fingers of white head. Retention is pretty good, and lacing is decent.

Smell: Very malty. A lot of caramel malts form the base of this beer, and some citrus and lesser piney hops come out as well. Seems to lean way too much toward the malty side.

Taste: Starts out very malty, with a good deal of caramel. Some pretty decent hops do kick in on the latter half. Probably a bit hoppier than the smell indicates, but not enough to bump it up an extra half point for taste.

Mouthfeel/Overall: The feel is very nice. It comes close to medium bodied with some good, fine carbonation. Very pleasant on the palate. Overall I'd call it pretty common and not too impressive. It's way too malty for an IPA in my opinion, but still probably a touch above average overall due to other factors.

Serving type: can

04-17-2011 04:01:25 | More by zhanson88

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Many thanks to woodychandler for his spoiling me with different beers. Poured from a 16 oz. can. Has a caramel color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is very hoppy. Taste is the same, lots of hops, a considerable bitterness, no real malts to speak of. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and has good drinkability. Overall this is a pretty good beer.

Serving type: can

03-12-2011 15:19:57 | More by tone77

indiapaleale

Massachusetts

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

Pour - bright golden with some orange and reddish hues. Nice fluffy head atop this very nice looking brew. Plenty of lacing inside the glass and near perfect carbonation levels.

Aroma - plenty of green goodness from the cascade hops. Some dark sugar aromas as well as pineapple and lemons.

Taste - Citrus and pine meet with plenty of malty sweetness backing them up. Some grass and hay notes as well. Not an overly complex IPA, but then again many of them aren't. Plenty of hop flavor and very easy drinking. A solid IPA that is for sure.

Overall - a nicely put together West Coast style IPA. Its not over the top hoppy and is nicely balanced.

Would I buy more of it? - certainly. This is definitely a beer worth seeking out to give it a try and as with the others Kettlehouse cans, its some quality stuff.

Serving type: can

01-07-2011 00:45:11 | More by indiapaleale

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-reddish gold with a thick white head

S-very hoppy and piney but has an aged scent to it....almost as if there are belgian yeasts in there as well.

T-more than anything, this is just bitter. not very hoppy or anything else really. after-taste is very piney. this is an outstanding IPA.

M-medium carbonation with a good creamy finish to it

D-this is actually a lot better than I remember. I think I finally got a fresh can of it! It's a very easy sinking IPA and somehow unique, almost floral. I suggest this.

Serving type: can

01-04-2011 18:44:25 | More by AdamBear

harrymel

Washington

1.6/5  rDev -56%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Reviewed from notes on 07/14/10

Poured from can to pint glass.

A: Deep amber color, good amount bubbles rise to surface a thin, light tan head. Dull clarity.

S: Bready, small amount spice, but also a plastic scent to the beer. Not very typical of IPA's. Not very good.

T: Not impressed here either. No florals, fruitiness. Just bitter amber ale is what this reminds me of. Slight nutty tone.

M: Low carb, the beer finishes dry, but is cut a bit by the malt profile to allow a touch more salivation in mid palate.

D: I can't jump on board with this IPA. Not very good.

Serving type: can

12-23-2010 07:13:09 | More by harrymel

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.33/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours a clear medium golden amber hue, with two fingers of puffy, rocky light beige head, which maintains stellar retention, eventually leaving some thick Swiss cheese lace around the glass. One attractive beer, this one. It smells of citrus and pine hops, with a milder biscuit/toffee malt underneath. The taste is lightly toasted bready malt, very tame citrus and pine hops, and a soft, sweet alcohol edge. The carbonation is on the sedate side, the body medium weight, smooth, with a smidge of creaminess. It finishes off-dry, the bready malt not quite matched by the herbal, leafy hops.

A decent IPA, kind of a blend of West Coast and English styles, much like many of the Canadian IPAs out there. The hops are definitely restrained, if not neutered outright.

Serving type: can

09-11-2010 05:56:20 | More by biboergosum

NWer

Washington

4.1/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 16 oz. can into a plastic cup requisitioned from the Old Faithful Lodge cafeteria.
So, sue me - That's the best I can do given I'm not about to buy a pint glass at the souvenir store.
Pours dark amber and clear. The taste and mouth feel are smooth and not at all overpowering. Mild hops and citric flavor make this a very drinkable beer.
I'm impressed.
Update: On my return home I poured another into a pint glass.
Better than before with abundant head after aggressive pour.
I am very pleased that I picked up an eight pack in Missoula to bring home. I will very much enjoy each one.
Update a year later: Just as good as I remembered. I highly recommend this beer from the Big Sky Country.

Serving type: can

09-01-2010 11:44:46 | More by NWer

mikereaser

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 16 oz. can on 12/27/09.

A - pours a clear copper color with a soapy foam that quickly disappeared and left some good lacing

S - slightly citrus hop aroma and some light malts

T - citrus and earthy hops dominate with a malty backbone with a slightly bitter finish

M - clean and crisp, good carbonation, slightly bitter finish

D - good flavor, nice and hoppy ipa from a can

Serving type: can

07-07-2010 16:36:05 | More by mikereaser

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.08/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a snifter on 6/10/10

Best by Aug 23rd, 2010

Double Haul is an even-hued amber color. Nice clarity. Half of the two finger head remains after a brief spell. A thin layer is kept alive by the occasional swirl. Sporadic blobs of lacing.

Piney hop aromas are immediately apparent. Floral notes around the edges. Muddled citrus hints of orange & lemon zest are seated further back & cause for a slightly solvent-like twinge. Toasted caramel & faint doughy yeast provide a foundation. Kind of musty, overall. Could be better.

The taste is a step in the right direction, though it still seems lacking to me. A decent amount of dry, bitter pine is at the fore; it's sharp but not overly so. Citrus seems less assertive in than in the nose; I can tell it's there as a second-tier component (maybe a good thing since the citric aroma was muddled). Toasted bread notes & caramel account for the malt backdrop. If nothing else, it's well-balanced & integrated as far as taste goes.

Medium bodied with a little resin & grittiness - not bad. Carbonation is fairly low, too - also not bad. Some sharp, dry bitterness lingers (I found the bitterness to build on itself over time).

While I could go for a few changes (cleaned up aroma & a bolder hop presence), I've grown fond of Double Haul - much more so after the first several sips. It's alright, but by no means a standout IPA. I get the impression it's marketed in part as an alternative brew for fishing-folk (fisherman casting a line on the can & a reference in the text). On that level I can see how it works.

Serving type: can

06-25-2010 17:39:37 | More by Ryan011235

GeezLynn

Minnesota

3.63/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

16 oz can into a tulip glass. Best by Jan 27, 2010.

Pours a burnt orange color with medium off-white head. Not much life in the head.

Smell is caramel malt and sugar. Light citrus aroma, but this component is severely subdued. Hop-head or not, this is under-hopped for style.

Taste is mirrors the smell. Quite sugary with toasted malt and light citrus. Seemed very under-hopped initially, but pine and bitterness pick up through the last 8 oz.

Mouthfeel is very smooth, but could really use more carbonation.

This beer should appeal to those who like their IPA a little more malty and subtle (not a WC IPA). Still, I think it's too sweet. Not as good as I remember it from my Missoula days, but credit to Kettlehouse for offering a pretty solid IPA in a can.

Serving type: can

01-15-2010 04:08:24 | More by GeezLynn

ElGordo

Oregon

4.15/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the 16oz can into a Stella stem glass. Body is a deep golden color, topped by a fluffy, off-white head that has some staying power. Aroma of sweet, bready malt, grapefruity hops, and a touch of astringency.
Palate is rich, sweet biscuit malt up front that is quickly met with a good dose of hops that are heavy on the grapefruit. A touch of pine and mild fruit from the malt come through on the swallow. A nice, lingering bitterness hangs around on the finish, but is not overwhelming.
The body is right where it should be for an IPA, full but not thick, lively but not bubbly. An enjoyable brew, and a treat to have in a tall can. Hell, I smuggled some in to a soccer game the other day, so the packaging has served me well. Hopefully this will get distribution in Oregon soon.

Serving type: can

10-08-2009 05:48:35 | More by ElGordo

beertunes

Washington

3/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into straight pint glass. Poured the typical light golden amber of the style. Just a trace of slightly off-white head that had no retention or lacing.

Everything else about this beer is an average IPA. The aroma, taste, body and drinkability are what is expected from this type of beer. Try it if you see it, but if you have other favorites, go with them.

Serving type: can

09-18-2009 09:48:40 | More by beertunes

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I am CANtinuing to do the CAN-CAN!

From the CAN: "When you need to hit that hard to reach spot - river left, just up from the seam where you saw a huge splashy rise, you need a Double Haul. Double Haul IPA is our full-bodied, hoppy, award winning India Pale Ale, made with Montana barley and Northwest grown hops. We're the first modern craft brewery in Montana to package it in cans, so you can enjoy it on the rivers, lakes, golf courses, and anywhere else glass is prohibited. Recycle your can and you can save up for that 4-piece 6-weight you've always wanted. Just as you'd never leave for a trip up Rock Creek without a Wooly Bugger in your fly box, you also don't want to forget your Double Haul. The cast will help you throw big, lead-laden bugs on windy days. And the beer, like the cast, really hits the spot. (No promises that the beer will help you with your cast.)"

The pour created two fingers' worth of dense, creamy, eggshell-white head with fantastic retention. The nose was fragrant with grassy, earthy hops. My mouth immediately began to water. Color was a deep golden-amber with NE-quality clarity. BUPGOO! Mouthfeel was medium with a good bit of caramel flavor offsetting the intensity of the hops. Finish was slightly dry, bitter up front and then allowing the malty sweetness to return on the extreme finish. A really good CANned IPA! Also, great lacing throughout.

Serving type: can

08-27-2009 21:06:51 | More by woodychandler

nghab

Wisconsin

4.33/5  rDev +19%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

AROMA: Medium citrusy hop nose, Cascade or one of the other "C"s; a touch of grassiness; a hint of toasty, biscuity malt, estery, more subdued than the typical AIPA, but inviting nonetheless.

APPEARANCE: Big rocky head (I could not pour all of the 16 ounce can into an Imperial pint glass at once, had to wait for it to settle a bit to pour the rest of it), nice lace as the head started to fall, even toward the end of the pint it maintained a solid 1/4 inch of creamy head. Brilliantly clear, deep copper colour.

FLAVOUR: Aroma may have been somewhat subdued, but not the flavour. High hop bitterness, medium hop flavour, solid malt backbone, some toasted malt notes, a touch of malt sweetness remains in the finish along with all those hops.

MOUTHFEEL: Medium carbonation, creamy mouthfeel, very slight alcohol warmth,

OVERALL IMPRESSION: Very enjoyably drinkable with an assertive flavour. I got this as part of a "sampler" box from a friend who had been out west (thanks, Ted!), and would have loved to have a couple more of these. Excellent choice!

Serving type: can

04-20-2009 02:59:54 | More by nghab