Double Jack - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

OStrungT

California

5/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer pours a clear golden yellow color, with a thick and fluffy light khaki head. The head fades very slowly, leaving a massive lacing.

This beer has a nice grassy hop aroma. Some citrus grapefruit mixes in. This beer has a slightly piney aroma also. No traces of the 9.5 percent ABV.

This beer tastes much like it smells. Grassy up front, with a lot of grapefruit. Just a bit of sweet caramel mixes in with the flavor. As with the aroma, the alcohol is well masked.

This beer is full bodied. It is criso, and refreshing. It leaves a grassy aftertaste.

This beer would make an excelent session beer if the alcohol content wasnt so high. It is too easy to forget that this is a high alcohol beer.

Overall: Great beer. I really like a grassy IPA or DIPA. It kind of reminds me of Apline Beer Companys Duet. As that is one of my favorite beers, this one definately ranks up there.

Serving type: growler

06-28-2009 03:08:51 | More by OStrungT

rudzud

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Picked up on a whim from Julio's. Saw it and though "hey, I havent had Firestone yet". The sell point for me was the date on the case "packaged on 2/10/11". Yeah, should still be nice and fresh, one bottle please. Now I have to buy more.

A - Poured into a Duvel tulip a wonderful golden copper colour with a fluffy 2 finger head that very, very slowly faded to leave sticky lacing. Wow.

S - WOW. Another user was right, lots of bubblegum and grapefruit citrus aromas. Thats it really, no malts or anything just WHAM in your face grapefruit, bubblegum, and tropical. This is by far the most intensely aromatic DIPA I've ever drank.

T - Sweet mother of mercy! I imagine, because this is so goddamn fresh, its as delicious as it is. Lots of grapefruit and tropical hop flavours here. There is a little malt sweetness but the middle and end is ALL grapefruit and topical notes. This flavour, this spectacular flavour makes me want to drink this nonstop. My god this is good.

M - This is the only iffy area for this beer. I knew right off the bat this beer was getting 5's in all categories, but the mouthfeel, this one I had to think about. Gotta do it though. The feel its just crisp enough. That nice tingle right up front with a very nice finish. Not syrupy really. I'd like more carbonation (just a lil), however, thats damn near impossible with this ABV. If this was an IPA, it would only be say, a 4/4.5 but for a double with this ABV, yeah, gotta do it.

D - Yeah, everything above compounds into something spectacular. I've had alot of DIPA but this, this one shatters them all. I cant think of anything this can improve on. Outstanding aromas here, the flavour is a ridiculously close second but the aroma, man oh man. Its the freshness of the bottle that makes this rank incredibly high for me, it has to be, I mean, the smell cant be THAT intense some months down the road can it?? This is a 9.5 ABV and I'm drinking this like its some absurdly low number. What's this? The bottle is gone already? Damnit!

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2011 06:59:33 | More by rudzud

Impfan

Washington

5/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

What can I say? The most complex, fruitiest DIPA I’ve ever tasted, and the fruitiest unfruited beer I’ve tasted since Stille Nacht 1996 Reserve. Among the detectable fruity esters, there are grapefruit, mandarin orange, tangerine, peach, plum, agave nectar, cherry, mango, kiwi, lemon, lime, marion berry, and strawberry. The finish is luxuriously long, and that seltzer quality slightly dries out the finish, and really adds a sprightly tingle. Add to this a great malt backbone that has a fruitiness all its own with a substantial body (similar to Hercules, but not as syrupy and weighty. The floral hoppiness in this beauty almost rivals the Plinys, and after awhile a seltzery saltiness develops, and while I’m not normally a fan of seltzer, it works perfectly here, and leaves one craving another taste. Perfection.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2011 23:09:25 | More by Impfan

thebrood1987

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

The smell definitely reminds me of Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA with that very fruity slick hop smell with sweetness in there as well. It just smells fantastic though with the tropical fruity cake just beaming off the hops and malts they use. It has a thick mouth feel with that fruitiness and piney hop flavors just smacking you in the face and then leaving you with some citric herbal piney bitterness. The alcohol comes through on the swallow not in taste but in feel more than anything. The sweetness I'd account to the very tropical fruity hops and the sweet malts they use.

I like that there is a malt taste in here that really reminds me of Dogfish Head 90 minute. All around this could fool me for a Dogfish Head beer actually. Some people say this doesn't have that much bitterness and yeah in comparison to others its not a bitter bomb but it does hold its own and backs up the hop flavors with that citric herbal and piney bitterness that we all love. Is it the best Imperial IPA ever? I'd say this, Dogifish Head 90 Minute and Hop Stoopid are some of the best I've had. This highly holds up to every Imperial in the style and maybe even ties for my favorite ever.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2011 01:37:08 | More by thebrood1987

razorsdescent

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

a- a beautiful almost amber color with a nice off white head, plenty of lacing. on a side note appearence does not matter much to me with beer.

s- wow this is where we start to get into the beauty of this beer. the smell is slick and oily hops.

t- oh my this is amazing! tastes like glorious oily hops. what a doudle IPA should taste like.

m- the mouthfeel is exceptioanlly smooth and the resiny oils of the hops coat the palate. this beer is great after your meal to refresh and tantalize the palate.

o- really this is one of the best beers ive had in awhile. i work in a bar that speacializes in rare and high end beers and this is one of the few that has really impressed me. If you can try this on tap do it!!!

I bought a bottle to cellar for a year or two and see what happens.

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2011 21:26:16 | More by razorsdescent

mschind

California

5/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

22 oz bottle dated 3-5-12

A- A gentle pour into a chalice produced a foamy, off white three finger head. Brilliant clear amber gold color. Head faded to half an inch in 2 minutes leaving a nice cap that persisted and coated the glass as it emptied.

S- First thing I noticed was piney hops and then malty sweetness and maybe alcohol. After that some grapefruit.

T- Taste is clean, slightly tart up front with a smooth hoppy grapefruit finish. The alcohol is present but subtle.

M- Round and rich, medium body. Gentle carbonation.

O- This is like a showcase for hops which are wonderfully aromatic and flavorful without excessive bitterness. The hops are nicely balanced by the malt and perhaps the alcohol content. The grapefruit nose comes through in the taste and is a real plus for me. This is one I plan to put in the cart when I find it.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 21:41:58 | More by mschind

threeviews

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 22oz bottle (bottled on date: 2/29/2012, 12:15) into a Riedel 14oz tulip

A- Pours an absolutely clear, sunset orange with a healthy 1-2 finger, white, soapy head with only moderate retention. Although no lacing to speak of, this beer produces pronounced alcohol legs... no surprise with an ABV of 9.5%.

S- Hops for days! Gobs of sweet citrus and tropical fruit: orange, tangerine, ruby red grapefruit, mango and pineapple all mingle to create a wonderful olfactory experience.

T- Sweet citrus on the front of the palate followed by gradually intensifying white grapefruit rind finish which begs you for nothing more than another sip. This is one dangerous brew, as the alcohol is completely masked by the aroma and flavor.

M- Despite carbonation not streaming up from the sides of the glass, my palate is met with a lively carbonation which only helps to enhance the intensity of the bitterness.

O- A really, really solid Imperial IPA and one that lives up to the hype (and just as good as I remember from the one sample I had on tap nearly a year ago). If I needed to draw a comparison, it is eerily similar to that of Lagunitas' Imperial Red in appearance, aroma but with a slightly higher bitter/dry finish. At almost $8 for a 22oz bottle, I would choose the Lagunitas offering simply for the value factor. However, if you have yet to sample Double Jack, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to at least one.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 01:38:37 | More by threeviews

NarrowG8

5/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I've never given a 100 before, but -

A - looks like a light beer but with shine and begging to be slurped down.

S - sounds weird but soapy, grapefruit & toffee (some sort of sweet that is light)

T - Piney, grapefruit, acorn, biscuit, clementine, bubblegum

M - Almost like a champagne. Light with a slight stickiness

Something about this beer ... I was looking for an IPA that wasn't over the top and had some balance but still gave you some great hop forward taste. This beer was overwhelmingly good. It was refreshing, tasteful, warming, comforting and amazingly delicious. I know this won't be a perfect experience for all; albeit, for me it just seemed so at the moment.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 03:32:54 | More by NarrowG8

memoarauz

5/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

So I stopped by my neighborhood store and the owner insisted I try my 1st! IPA, he highly recommended Firestone Double Jack and I've tried more since but I absolutely love this beer. Smell, taste are amazing and it does the job. Great for a poker night and just chillin around the house.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 20:39:16 | More by memoarauz

bianchibuddy

Colorado

5/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I find all Firestone Walker beers to be of only the highest quality in all respects from packaging to bottom of the glass lacing. I put them in the A+ category for everything they do. Double Jack is no acception and in this fine product I find true beer utopia.

I buy the 4 packs and find the packaged good finish to present very well from labeling to the caps with the lion head on two and the bears heads on two. Very high class even before you crack a bottle!

I love the first whiff I get once the bottle is opened, the pour, the color, oh and the taste! Everything about this beer makes me happy and I want one right now!

My wife thinks the cost at just over $3 per bottle is kinda steep, but I would pay the same or more for a lesser quality beer at my local brewery. I think it is a good investment as I generally only drink a single bottle in a sitting. I have enjoyed two in a sitting and love the after effect!

If you have not had the luxury of a Double Jack, do yourself a favor and pick up a 4 pack!

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 00:08:51 | More by bianchibuddy

sevenarts

New York

4.98/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Crystal-clear golden orange, beautiful. Fluffy white head that quickly fades to a skim of bubbles and just a little lacing.

S: Very strong and hoppy: grapefruit, citrus, flowery hops, really intense and rich. Fantastic smell.

T/M: As delicious as it smells: big hop flavors up front, balancing floral flavors with lots of citrus, a little bitter and mouth-puckering. Crisp and dry, finishes with more of that delicious hoppy flavor.

O: An amazing, strong but not overwhelming DIPA. One of the best I've had.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 23:34:11 | More by sevenarts

ETCO2

Pennsylvania

4.98/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I only drink IPAs if possible given the state of my current taste buds and I would rate this beer above Pliney or Sculpin, two of my past favorites. I have had it many times in the bottle and many times on draft. It is a beer that is sensitive to age as many of the IPA s are and if mistreated will begin to show its fruity side quickly. The ability of what seems to be mostly west coast brewers to make a balanced IPA at 9.5% without any significant alcohol sweetness amazes me and I wish east coast brewers could match the taste.I really would prefer less alcohol but its stablemate, Union Jack is not hoppy or bitter enough for my palate although still another excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2012 08:52:02 | More by ETCO2

thehosh

Colorado

4.97/5  rDev +14%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

What a beer. It is a DIPA weekend for me - in my fridge, Myrcenary, Pliny and Double Jack are holding court. I began Friday night with the Double Jack.

Bomber poured into a New Belgium Globe.

A: gorgeous. amber, yellow, plenty of interesting hues.

S: Over the top. So much rich pineyness. Very pineapple at first. A couple more smells you find a refined pine. Sweet.

T: I would put this on the same taste profile level as Nugget Nectar and also similar to 90 minute. Very powerful hops at first, not overwhelming just definitive. But it quickly succumbs to a pleasant sweetness.

M: Perfect. Not too much to say here, the balance of this beer shows through here. Extremely drinkable. (That bomber didn't last very long and I was flying solo...) Less beligerent than some DIPAs.

O: This beer on first taste became one of my top beers. It is distinct from Pliny and/or Blind Pig, which will remain my favorite DIPAS. However, this is a different change of pace, which is very nice. I will seek this beer out as much as possible and won't be disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2011 17:25:07 | More by thehosh

mindspin315

New Jersey

4.97/5  rDev +14%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Double Jack has absolutely nothing that you can't love about it. Crystal clear orange body with a big solid almost white head.

Aroma is like you've ventured out and decided to walk through a forest filled with pine trees. Lots of pine, mango, grapefruit, pineapple, and a nice malty backbone. Mild herbal, floral, and vegetal aromas come through as well. Everything is blended amazingly and so many different aromas can be picked out.

Sweet tropical fruits/massive pine hit the taste buds right away. Bitterness takes a moment to come through and the dryness steps in towards the finish. The dry aspect makes you want to keep drinking more. A mild floral/herbal/rye taste blend well with the dryness at the end. A taste bud explosion!

Double Jack is one of the best DIPA's out there. Flavors rush over the palate and the mouthfeel is such a highlight here. From start to finish you're left with flavors/textures to enjoy. Firestone is crafting the best of the best and Double Jack is another testament to them.

[100/100]

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2011 07:11:58 | More by mindspin315

crossovert

Wisconsin

4.95/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

New to the Chicago market. 650ml bomber proclaiming the 2011 World Beer Cup Mid-Size Brewery Champion.

It pours a beautiful color. It is a clear copper/orange with a big foamy white head that slowly recedes with some nice lacing.

The smell is fuckin incredible, it is orgasmic. It has the smooth scent of tropical fruits and citrus, pure hops.

The flavor is much more resiny with both pine and citrus rind. There is some dankness and some tropical fruit too. It has a ncie bitterness, not ultra-high, but up there. The malt is a perfect backing giving off a subtle sweetness but not overpowering the hops.

This is one glorious, glorious beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2011 04:42:10 | More by crossovert

werdnacross

California

4.95/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured on tap at Ladyface alehouse in agoura hills into a 10 oz snifter.

A- Dark straw color with a slight cloudiness from the yeast.

S- Strong hoppy presence. Grapefruit and citrus smells fill the air.

T- Malty, hoppy and citrusy. Extremely delicious

M- Strong alcohol presence but very well rounded. Goes down smooth. Very delicious.

O- Overall one of the better DIPA's I've ever had. Extremly delicious and will make this one of my go too's for the future.

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2011 00:02:27 | More by werdnacross

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.95/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Sweet yet spicey. Citrus and pines. Good balance. Yellow to brown blouse when held up to a window. Very fine carbonation. The lacing on the glass is unique - doesn't fall off but also not webbed. Nose is orange and pine sap. Some malt syrup is present via the pine sap. Taste is sweet at first with a grade A maple syrup and the. Quickly spices with the hops.

Serving type: on-tap

09-07-2012 18:01:45 | More by Oakenator

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.93/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 22oz bottle into an imperial pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep golden brown color, with a large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is an excellent blend of floral hops, fruity citrus sweetness and caramelized malts.

T: The taste is very nicely balanced and starts with a strong burst of grassy hops bitterness that is quickly followed by a complementary citrus and caramel sweetness. The malt character is hearty but not too heavy. The after-taste is hoppy and slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and very smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Extremely tasty, goes down dangerously easy, not too filling, very well-disguised 9.50% ABV kick, excellent representation of style, this beer is right up there with the best ones that I’ve ever had.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2011 01:41:59 | More by TheManiacalOne

vobr0002

Minnesota

4.93/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A- clear amber with thick white head that dissapates into a thin coating on top of the beer.

S- big citrus aroma slight pine. lots of tropical fruits. Smells absolutely amazing!

T- more pine on the taste than the smell. Still lots of tropical fruits and a slight bready flavor. Very nice.

M- medium light body with good amount of carbonation for the style.

O- this is a great example of a double IPA. I want more of this! im kind of sad I shared half the bottle with my wife! :-)

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2012 02:29:12 | More by vobr0002

Clonies720

Texas

4.93/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Appearance: Pours a clear, brillant gold. White head that looks like Swiss cheese. Very little to no lacing.

Aroma: Big nose of citrus and pine. Pleasant, sweet malts. Tropical fruity esters, like pineapple. Loads of bitter hops.

Taste and Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a medium high carbonation that is crisp and refreshing. I was expecting a full-bodied beer for 9.5% ABV. Coat-the-mouth oily hop bitterness. Loving the citrus taste here.

Overall: A near perfect example of an Imperial India Pale Ale. Hops weren't as bright and clean, but that's probably because the beer is nearly a month and a half old. Would definitely buy again if I could find it.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 21:57:36 | More by Clonies720

ineva

California

4.9/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into a 8 ounce goblet

A:Not what i expected but my pupils were fixated on the deceptive gold coin like itch. Pure white one finger head that dissipated quickly recorded a filming presence.

S:Citrusy, apricot, orange peel, candy malt, inviting soft hop aroma.

T:Malted easy chair like sway with the Hop bitterness trying to break free at the end. Sweet liquid gold.

M:Jimmy Page like solo that hits all the right notes consistently without fizzle.

O:Nailed it like a double jack hammer ;).

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2011 09:26:22 | More by ineva

Grabbin2nd

California

4.88/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

From Notes: 7/8/09
Firestone Brewing Co.
DOUBLE JACK!
DIPA
9.5% Abv.
On-tap @ Spike's into Stella Artois glass

Most anticipated beer for me in a while (couple weeks, haha) Let's get it on!

Appearance= Creamy 1 finger white head. Excellent retention. Not opaque, deep coin colored beer. Excellent looking. Minimal carbonation, lacing is excellent. Super good looking beer. Like it wants to choke you out!

Smell= Hop oils present. Smell was slightly subdued when it's first served. Great Nose as it warms! Citrus FTW! Buttery candy elements.

Taste= Excellent DIPA taste. Citrus, pine, grass. Hop Oils! Doesn't get any better than this for a really balanced DIPA. You would have thought it was going to be a hop bomb based on the 4x dry hopping and staggering 100+ IBU number, but it's extremely balanced.

Mouthfeel= On the thicker side of DIPA's I think. Hop Oils coat the back of my throat and tongue. Awesome. Glass of water anyone?

Drinkability= Could drink this shit all day, even though I would pass out a couple hours in. Alcohol deters slightly, but hey, it's a DIPA.

Love your show Firestone.

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2009 16:43:51 | More by Grabbin2nd

mkuderka

New Jersey

4.88/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Usually I have a double/imperial IPA and I am loving it on my first experience and by my second or third I am much less enamored. But this brand from Firestone Walker is just one beautiful beer that seems to hold up batch after batch.

Color: Visually appealing with a nice golden orange color.

Aroma: Dominated by tropical citrus and pine.
Taste: Hops hit right away (in a good way) and like the aroma, the flavors are those of sweet tropical fruit, pine, and light citrus. The caramel and pale malt sweetness sits in the middle of the experience and slowly fades to the end. Hop bitterness blends back in with malt and finish strong.

O - This DIPA was made for me. It is big, not overwhelming and surprisingly smooth. The hop presence is exactly what I wanted.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2011 14:36:02 | More by mkuderka

GhettoFabulous

California

4.88/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 22 oz into my glorious thelonious monk's ale goblet. This pours and smells beautifully with a few fingers of lacing and solid carbonation.

This beer smells fantastic. The hops and citrus leap at you from the surface of the beer and the aroma is incredibly inviting.

The first sip reveals a very nice blend of strong hops (but importantly, not too strong) and a well-blended melange of citrus (perhaps lemon peel and grapefruit?). I'm not sure exactly what's going on with these flavors, but this is one of the best DIPA's I've ever had. FW seems to have added the perfect amount of hops, in that they are extremely strong without being bitter, and they serve as a pallet for this beautiful dose of citrus magic.

I could drink this stuff all day and it's extremely inviting and superlative for its class of beer. FW is proving to be one of the best breweries on the West Coast.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2011 01:13:02 | More by GhettoFabulous

Crossmd

Virginia

4.88/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured maybe 50 degrees into an old glass stein.

Pours a golden orange with a 1.5 finger head.

Citrus hops, grapefruit/orange, pine and honey. Well projected, layered and delicious.

Taste is intensely smooth- fluid, the definition of opulent. Citrus hops mingle and slip in and out between pine, honey and just the slightest touch of sugar. 20 second finish dries down mostly into the orange with a touch of creme? Phenomenal. This is worth every penny of the 10$ that I spent on a 650.

There are a lot of words that here come to mind that don't typically pertain to IPAs. "Opulent", "rich", "fluid" and "layered" typically are (as far as I see it..) reserved for heavier styles that naturally find themselves there by nature of their creation. This is one that almost surmounts its "IPA" nature to achieve a complexity beyond its style, achieving characteristics that are reserved usually for other styles only. Intensely balanced and beautifully crafted, I have a new favorite.

Wouldn't pair with anything, this is one that needs to shine on its own.

98.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2011 16:06:05 | More by Crossmd