Double Jack - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

THANAT0PSIS

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Firestone Walker Double Jack

Appearance: Firestone’s imperial IPA pours a brilliant, crystal clear, dark golden color. Carbonation swarms up from the bottom of the glass, which helps maintain the impressive two fingers of rocky, bone white head. The retention on the head is absolutely incredible, and the lacing that follows as it finally gives in to the inevitable is nothing short of spectacular. This beer is truly a sight to behold.

Aroma: For an IIPA from the West Coast, this is a strange beer indeed. The aromas are largely malt forward with a backup of floral hop aromas. None of the typical West Coast IPA characteristics really come out. The malts give a sugary aroma, there is a bit of rind, and maybe even some vanilla or oak there. Very interesting, very appetizing, but not exactly to style.

Taste: Complexity overload. Immediately, the woody, vanilla notes come out along with sugary sweet malts, but they are wiped away in a flash by pine hop bitterness (finally, a West Coast characteristic). There are hints of citrus fruits here and there, mainly lemon and grapefruit. The alcohol makes a definite appearance throughout the taste, which is initially off-putting, but becomes pleasant as it continues to flow. This is a tough one to analyze, but no doubt it is top-quality product.

Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel is a bit on the thin and watery side, but still somehow has a slick, coating feeling to it. It is very drinkable, while also feeling like a big beer. The carbonation is spot on. The alcohol is absent here, as opposed to in the flavor, which is a surprise, neither pleasant nor unpleasant. As it tastes, so it feels like a top-shelf brew.

Overall: This is an excellent IIPA, and one that I would gladly seek out again for the woody, vanilla aromas and tastes that are unique to this product as far as my taste buds have roamed. Some of the flavors could and should have been better reconciled and integrated so as to make them stand out and really define the complexity, but as it is the beer is excellently done. This is the first beer from Firestone that I have really liked. I hope it is a sign of things to come. 17.5/20

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 00:00:17 | More by THANAT0PSIS

kguard

Iowa

4.76/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Bottled on 2/9/13. I little past its prime. But can't get in Iowa so take what you can get.

A: Rather clear amber color, reminds me of the mosquito cane from Jurassic Park. Small, white head.

S: Grapefruit rind gives way to orange blossom. Just my style.

T: Grapefruit dominates, fades to floral alcohol but mildly.

M: Less malt than most DIPA I've had lately. A bit on the lighter side. I'd imagine more carbonation and crispness if this was super fresh.

O: I will get this again! Wish I had more than one. I would recommend to those who like west coast DIPAs.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2013 04:25:36 | More by kguard

fehrminator

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -14%

06-19-2013 01:06:44 | More by fehrminator

mrchrisray

New York

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%

06-18-2013 23:55:29 | More by mrchrisray

MMAJYK

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev -2.5%

06-18-2013 20:55:06 | More by MMAJYK

Jacob007

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev -2.5%

06-18-2013 16:31:48 | More by Jacob007

headyhopzhead

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -2.5%

06-18-2013 12:42:44 | More by headyhopzhead

mjm47

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -2.5%

06-18-2013 11:54:43 | More by mjm47

nootch23

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -8.3%

06-18-2013 11:19:27 | More by nootch23

RyV

California

4/5  rDev -8.3%

06-18-2013 06:06:22 | More by RyV

beerloverofbham

Washington

4.75/5  rDev +8.9%

06-18-2013 05:27:43 | More by beerloverofbham

jep2606

Virginia

4.16/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

The bottling date was 2/19/2013. I bought this bottle within a week of the expiration of the 120 day freshness period that Firestone Walker recommends for enjoying this delectable IPA so I must say that my scores may need an asterisk as I did not drink it until 6/17/2013.

Appearance was very nice and clean as the beer was a clear yellow-orange and smelled particularly hoppy and a distinct alcohol bite was present. Taste seemed more bitter than the reported IBU level would suggest but was still fantastic and had a very nice sweet citrus taste after the hops did their work.

I picked this beer up because it's not seen often in VA. I only wish I had found it before it had already been almost four months since bottling, that may have changed this one way or another so I write this review with full understanding that it may be skewed.

I was working on my own 10 point scale and gave this an 8.5/10. I tried t have the score on here reflect that.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2013 04:42:48 | More by jep2606

jdhowe

California

4.43/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

22oz bottle dated 5/17/13 -- thanks to the employee at Whole Foods who made sure I got a fresh bottle today.

A: Pours a clear deep golden color with a half finger of off-white fluffy head that quickly dissipates to a film.

S: Overwhelmingly citrusy -- so much grapefruit in this one. Citrusy hop character up front and a little bit of malt showing through behind. Very appealing, but sort of one-dimensional... this is a grapefruit bomb.

T: Taste follows the nose... lots of grapefruit and a little bit of malt. The finish is strongly bitter and lingering. Mildly earthy, but dominatingly citrusy. The alcohol is well masked for a 9.5abv DIPA.

M: Clean, crisp, and refreshing. The malt in this is lighter than many other DIPAs in the 9-11abv range, and the result is that it isn't cloying. Just a crsip, drinkable, bitter beer. Plenty of carbonation.

O: very good. All I wanted tonight was hops and something refreshing to drink and this delivered in a wonderful way. I'm always slightly put off by the $8 bomber, but never disappointed once I've got it in my possession. I will continue to drink this -- it's one of the best easily obtainable DIPAs out there. It is a little bit one dimensional and is unapologetic about it, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2013 03:23:19 | More by jdhowe

BeerChanticleer

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%

06-18-2013 01:53:49 | More by BeerChanticleer

KyleMA

California

3.5/5  rDev -19.7%

06-17-2013 23:53:21 | More by KyleMA

atinman

California

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%

06-17-2013 23:25:33 | More by atinman

Mattco

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%

06-17-2013 21:39:44 | More by Mattco

Jtrigonis

California

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%

06-17-2013 01:34:34 | More by Jtrigonis

beerinNV

Nevada

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%

06-16-2013 15:32:21 | More by beerinNV

swinyeju

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev -2.5%

06-16-2013 15:06:29 | More by swinyeju

CrazyEasyBartender

Maryland

5/5  rDev +14.7%

06-16-2013 07:22:14 | More by CrazyEasyBartender

MaltyMates

New York

4/5  rDev -8.3%

06-16-2013 00:43:12 | More by MaltyMates

jkurosaki

Illinois

4/5  rDev -8.3%

06-15-2013 22:54:07 | More by jkurosaki

TimothyPH

New York

4.25/5  rDev -2.5%

06-15-2013 22:42:12 | More by TimothyPH

Mikecap

Rhode Island

4.25/5  rDev -2.5%

06-15-2013 16:31:29 | More by Mikecap