Hops & Robbers - Double Trouble Brewing Co.

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A beautiful bright copper colour, clear with limited white head. An almost European hop aroma, with faint American undertones. Hop forward taste with caramelized malt baseline. Finish does not linger...

Not as malty as a typical British IPA, yet lacking the west coast citrus & tropical fruit tones of an American version. Mouthfeel is a bit thin, but I am delighted to try a ~5% ABV with some flavour.

A well balanced mild ale that will be perfectly sessionable for a wide audience, but certainly not a "hop head's" dream.

Serving type: on-tap

03-31-2012 21:52:16 | More by hopsolutely

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

3.65/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at C'est What, listed at 5.6% ABV.

Golden-orange in body, with a dense, creamy white head. An impressively solid cap of retention that sticks around for the duration of the pint, leaving a mass amount of lacing. Some citrus and pine on the nose, mostly orange-y. Some pale grain, perhaps a hint of caramel or breadiness - malting is subtle nonetheless. Taste has more hops, orange and clementine flavours emerge with some pine. Bitter and light grass in the finish. Medium light body with appropriate light carbonation. Somewhere between an EIPA, English Pale and American Pale - a nice pint, although a bit plain.

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2012 17:54:43 | More by liamt07

Stocean1

Ontario (Canada)

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

Poured a two finger white head, decent retention as it ebbed to a fine collar of film. Orange amber in color. Lots of sticky lacing.

Scent is light malt, some citrus and floral hops.

Taste is somewhat subdued compared to the nose, malt,biscuit, faint citrus hops, some grapefruit and mango notes.

Bitter, dry, medium bodied, stale, some carbonation.

Overall, a drinkable IPA although nothing spectacular. Could use some more punch and is a little ho hum.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2012 05:34:08 | More by Stocean1

jaz58

Ontario (Canada)

3.8/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A middle of the road IPA in my opinion.

Served in a clear pint glass, the colour is rust orange.

Clear with a subtle effervecenes.

Thin head, no lace.

Fresh hop nose with a hint of lemon.

Robust bitters finish.

Smooth mouthfeel.

Small hints of soft toffee followed by the bitters.

Serving type: can

04-08-2013 00:18:01 | More by jaz58

EspressoGuy

British Columbia (Canada)

2.1/5  rDev -39.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2

NOT the can from Ontario. This is a review of the bottle brewed under contract by Dead Frog Brewing in Aldergrove.
A: clear orange jello. Head is small and dissipates quickly.
S: yeast, tin, caramel ... certainly not clean or citrus.
T: this is a pretty mild and inoffensive IPA ... and really not much of an IPA at all. More like a mainstream lager with some extra bittering hops. The finish is dry and bitter and funky. Not likeable at all.
M: medium to light body.
O: C'mon Legacy Liquor store in Vancouver -- this is really not a very good IPA like you said it was. And when I asked you if it was made by Dead Frog Brewing you said no ... well it's made right there under contract! Not an enjoyable beer at all.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 02:24:33 | More by EspressoGuy

CookstLiquor

British Columbia (Canada)

3.84/5  rDev +10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured from a 500ml can. Pours a rich yellowish lager colour with orange tint. Nose has lots of lemon, banana and other fruit notes. Taste is similar with a nice sweetness and lots of citrus hop flavours. It's a little lean and light-bodied, but very crisp, hoppy and refreshing.

Serving type: can

03-01-2013 21:45:16 | More by CookstLiquor

Dogzbone

New York

1.61/5  rDev -53.9%
look: 3 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.75

Had this from the can at a tasting. Appearance was fine but that was about the only thing right with this beer. I couldn't find any hop aroma at all and the beer wasn't bitter by any means. It was also slightly under carbonated and a bit watery. The brewery claimed that they were trying to make a not so hoppy in your face IPA but if you're going to call a beer an IPA you at least need some kind of hop presence to shine through. This beer didn't. Hopefully I just had a taste from an old can.

Serving type: can

02-06-2013 16:56:01 | More by Dogzbone

Digimaika2

Ontario (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

(3.75) A: Clear straw copper colour with a generous creamy foam head. Long lasting retention with lacing evident.

(3.75) S: Dry pine, strong herbal/grassy notes, tropical fruits including pineapple and banana, and a rich bread-like malt aroma. A good mix of aromas that lean towards the earthy side with a herbal/grassy element.

(3.75) T: Pine, herbal hops, tart grapefruit, faint pineapple, and a bit of pepper and ginger in the finish. Crisp and clean with a refreshing and very drinkable taste. Herbal-like hop forward with a steady bitterness.

(3.5) M: Lighter bodied with moderate carbonation. A bit on the thin side with a general dryness.

(3.75) D: This is good and a solid IPA with a pronounced herbal hop character. Personally I prefer thicker and fruitier IPA’s but this is very nice for a change and certainly worth trying.

Serving type: can

02-04-2013 03:10:50 | More by Digimaika2

Top_Jimmy

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.25

Pours a nice Amer colour from the can leaving a small amount of head that reduces rather quickly leaving oinly a slight foam on top of the beer. Nice lacing that remains after the first few mouthfulls.

A nice aroma of hops. As the beer warms you can then smell a hint of citrus, flowers and yeast.

A very nice and strong taste of hops. Those that dislike bitter beers should skip this one for sure. A background of malt

Average mouthfeel with a bitter finish

Overall an enjoyable beer for those that like hoppy, bitter beers. Pairs well with mexican foods, cilantro, cumin based dishes.

Serving type: can

02-03-2013 02:25:33 | More by Top_Jimmy

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

3.86/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Just say this on the shelves at the local BC Liquor stores and it is confusing as the beer is brewed in Aldergrove BC when I thought they were from Ontario. Turns out they contract brew at Wellington in Guelph for east coast and Dead Frog in Aldergrove for the west. They only have one beer in their portfolio and it is really an OK take on an English IPA.

Quite a light colour for the style , the beer has an English hop nose and quite a nice hop flavour in the taste. It does taste quite British in its hops ( very true to the style ) and maintains a good balance and finish. I quite like this beer but wonder whether a one beer contract brewed company can be viable . I hope to see this on tap around Vancouver.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 01:01:52 | More by canucklehead

seand

California

3.3/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a clear light amber with lots of foamy white head. It actually overflowed a bit when I opened the can (which had been sitting still for a week), so have a glass ready. The head dissipates to a thick blanket and leaves walls of lacing.

S: Dominated by a very sweet, almost icing-like note. There are some grassy hops in the background as well.

T: Starts with the icing-ish sweet note, which drops off to make room for mildly bitter hops. Aftertaste is hoppy too. It's not terrible, but it does taste a bit "empty"; there's a sweet note and a hoppy note but no body.

M: Medium body, medium carbonation.

Overall, OK. I wouldn't look for it again, but I wouldn't throw it on the ground if offered one.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 00:45:28 | More by seand

Kremlock

Ontario (Canada)

3.13/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Orange/copper in colour, clear, frothy 1/2 inch head that keeps very well during most of the drink. Head is off white with hints of orange in it.

S: Citrus, pineapple, hints of caramel with a light nutty smell in the background.

T: Citrus hops, hint of alcohol, caramel is in the background, hops take it over. Lack of malt backbone.

M: A bit thin for my liking, watery, bitter, has a dry finish.

O: I find this IPA to be unbalanced. The hops come through but there is missing some malt and body IMO.

Serving type: can

12-29-2012 01:46:24 | More by Kremlock

ericj551

British Columbia (Canada)

3/5  rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Hops and Robbers IPA pours a nice light copper with a thin head. The aroma is subdued, some floral, herbal hops and hint of malt. The flavor leans just a bit to hoppy, with more mild to moderate floral and earthy hops. There is a decent malt backbone, slightly nutty.

Overall it seems to be a bit lacking hop wise. I like that they're going for a sessionable IPA, but they could definitely squeeze in more hops without raising the abv.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 03:15:25 | More by ericj551

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.35/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

473ml can poured into pint glass 11/24/12 from notes

A slight haze in a golden orange body, lots of tiny bubbles feeding a well sustained thumbs width of off white foam that leaves lots of random lace

S some citrus and candied pineapple but more butterscotch and caramel then I'm used to in an IPA, even for an EIPA the caramel malts pretty strong

T the malts are in charge in the mouth, a little rind but I'm getting dry cereals, butterscotch, caramel, and some bready notes with a metallic flavor I can't place

M medium bodied but a nice creamy feel from the bubbles, its like I've had a nitro tap installed in my can, herbal rind lingers on the finish

O pretty mellow IPA no matter what side of the pond you on, easy enough to drink but I doubt I'd look for this one again

I was stoked to see a new can of IPA on the shelf but it didn't do much for me after I opened it, its OK but a little boring

Serving type: can

12-03-2012 00:24:50 | More by wordemupg

funkengruven

Ontario (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Never saw this one before so picked up a couple cans. This poured a clear amber that more resembles a lager than an IPA, white foamy head with a touch of lace. Smell is a bit of weak hops, not much of anything else. Taste is actually quite good, starts with an aggressive bitterness and finishes with a light malt aftertaste. Mouthfeel is a bit thin which is uncharacteristic of an IPA.

Personally I think IPAs should be a little hoppier with a more aggressive malt flavor. I would say this resembles an English Pale Ale moreso than an IPA. With that being said it's not perfect, but it tastes good and is drinkable.

Serving type: can

12-02-2012 05:22:05 | More by funkengruven

Serge

Alberta (Canada)

3/5  rDev -14%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

It pours golden yellow, with a thick white head. The nose is dough, grainy, light toast, tinned pineapple and weak citrus. The taste is citrus pith, lots of lemon, light tangerine, salt, toasted malt, slight astringency and metal, with a bitter finish. Thin-medium body, moderate carbonation and foamy mouth-feel. A bit weak and boring.

Serving type: can

11-20-2012 09:43:32 | More by Serge

MaxwellSchaefer

3.1/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

1st Review on BA
473ml can to bolleke globlet

Purchased at a downtown Toronto LCBO for $2.65 per can.

App- The Hops and Robbers has a nice pale amber color, on the lighter side of things for an IPA. The carbonation is muted but lively enough that I've just noticed a spec on the inside of my glass (it seems to be in the glass so I wouldn't worry about it affecting flavor!). The head has left nice white lace as I've worked my way through the beer. All in all looks wise it's pretty attractive for a self-labeled "sessionable beer."

Smell- The cascade hops come through like you would hope for a beer with "hops" in its name. Fresh from the fridge, the citrus is brightest but it fades to a more piney and grassy aroma as the beer warms; with the pine in front-- the lemon smell takes a back seat.

Taste-The double trouble brewery website boasts that the beer has an IBU of 50 and the bittering hops definitely speak the loudest on the first sip; the 5.7% alcohol is what sticks with you on the finish though. The weight of the bitterness seems to shift the balance of flavor to the hop side of things robbing the malt of most of it's character (maybe that's where the name comes from?)

Mouth-The mouth feel straight from the fridge is rather oily, but when it's brought up to proper temperature, the "oily-ness" get's much more subdued and the beer is much more to alluring as "sessionable" beer.

Drink- All in all when I'm searching for that super delicious IPA, out of the craft brews I've tried so far I'd probably reach for another over this one. Hops and Robbers won't bring my journey to discover my favorite IPA to a close; but it'll definitely stay in the back of my mind if I want a beer for a party or need a six pack for Sunday football.

Serving type: can

10-30-2012 02:16:01 | More by MaxwellSchaefer

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.45/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The hops are here, but not greatly drinkable. What hops used? Orange citrus, just does;t hit the spot. Some hop aroma. Fast dissipating white head on light orange body. Tingling mouthfeel, a little astringent in the finish. More body, complexity needed.

Serving type: can

10-28-2012 00:13:16 | More by northyorksammy

EgadBananas

Louisiana

3.78/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to cattersley for the can!

Pours a transparent sunny pale colour, with a off-white 2 finger, fluffy head. Left lots of spongy lace. The aroma is earthy, herbal hop notes, touches of floral notes, crackers and nutty malts. Nice balanced taste. It has a fairly stark bitterness, with some flowery hop notes and bits of pale malt sweetness bringing the balance. The feel is slick, slightly oily, but creamy, with a lighter body. It's quite easy to drink, refreshing, and I think would be quite sessionable.

It's not the most aggressive IPA, but it's solid and very drinkable.

Serving type: can

09-21-2012 19:09:26 | More by EgadBananas

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

3.28/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Pours a hazy light golden colour. Fairly strong carbonation. One finger of soapy white head on top. Decent lace rings and a good half finger of retention.

S - Somewhat earthy with some pineapple and citrus.

T - Peach, earthy, mango and some breadiness. Fairly soapy, grainy, and floral too.

M - Good carbonation, medium body and not a whole heap of bitterness for an IPA.

O/D - A bit of an odd IPA. Fairly sweet fruit flavours and lacking significant bitterness. Definitely not, as the can describes, "Ontario's most sessionable IPA." Not a bad beer, just nowhere near what it claims to be and not exactly a hop bomb as they make the branding out to be. Good effort but falls short.

Serving type: can

09-09-2012 22:33:29 | More by tbeckett

GodOfBeer

Ontario (Canada)

2.98/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Ok first of all I shouldn't be reviewing this right after drinking a full bottle of Stone Vertical Epic of 09/09/09 but what the heck. I expect to be very underwhelmed...

Pours a clear gold with a thin white head, underwhelmed already.

Ok now we get to the "smell". This beer smells weird. Period. Smells like sugar poured into a vat of beer or something, almost doesn't even smell like beer, let alone an IPA. I can't even come up with a description for the aroma. I'll leave it at that.

To my overwhelming satisfaction, it tastes better than it smells! Tastes of some light fruity malts mixed with bitter hops. But they are almost too bitter, and there is a very metallic taste, not sure if this is derived from the can?

Overall I'm underwhelmed, perhaps the stone beer had something to do with it, or perhaps I was expecting too much based on the name this beer so arrogantly wears, "Hops & Robbers". It get's one point just for the name.

Serving type: can

08-31-2012 03:13:43 | More by GodOfBeer

box299

Illinois

2.1/5  rDev -39.8%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

This beer falls under the style of Canadian IPA that I don't think is official. I find, for the most part, CIPAs are to be avoided. There is no real sense that the bitterness actually comes from the Hops. The color is clear and looks more like a lager than an IPA. The head is thin and soapy with no lace. This one will not get another try. There are a number of other IPAs from Ontario that do not follow the Canadian style. If you like this style, stick with Keith's.

Serving type: can

08-30-2012 03:37:26 | More by box299

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

3.48/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: It has a nice deep golden color to it. It has a nice white head that dies down somewhat fast and leaves little lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitly give out hints of grains, some earthy/floral hops, citrus and some caramel.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has a grainy malt character (almost pilsner like), with some caramel, earthy bitterness, piney/floral hops and some citrus.

Mouthfeel: It has a medium carbonation with a nice overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied with decent flavors and aromas.

Serving type: can

08-28-2012 20:16:28 | More by SebD

Jeffo

Netherlands

2.28/5  rDev -34.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Got this at the LCBO this past summer.

From a can into a snifter

Note: Tested this one as part of the Great Ontarian IPA Showdown against Railway City's Dead Elephant, Muskoka Mad Tom IPA, and Nickel Brook's Headstock IPA.

APPEARANCE: Pours a small, medium looking, off-white head with good retention. Hazy gamboge orange with lower levels of carbonation. Head fades to a splotchy wisp and ring. A light film remains leaving some decent lacing down the glass. Could be a touch darker for the style, but looks nice.

SMELL: Pale malts, grainy notes and a light touch of floral hops. Grainy pilsner style malts jumped out all over the place. Not my cup of IPA.

TASTE: Pale malts, caramel malts, and good grainy burst. The pilsner malts are just all over the place. Some citrus lemon and a hint of pine, but this is quite grainy for the style. Bold and lingering aftertaste of grainy pilsner malts, some bitter pine, and some malty sweetness. This is too grainy for the style for sure.

PALATE: Medium body and medium carbonation. Semi-creamy on the palate, goes down fine and finishes slightly dry. Fine here.

OVERALL: The malt bill on this one it too pilsner forward for my tastes. The hop presence was alright, but that grainy pilsner malt just dominated the whole experience for me. Change the malt bill, and you might have something here. As it stands now, this is one to avoid. Dead last in the Ontario Showdown.

Serving type: can

08-28-2012 19:59:03 | More by Jeffo

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.45/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Can: Poured a light hazy orangey color ale with a large foamy head with good retention and some light lacing. Aroma consists of floral citrus notes with light bitter touch. Taste is a mix between some citrus hops with medium bitter notes with some non-descript malt base that is mostly dry. Body is about average with good carbonation. Not bad but really doesn’t stand out from the pack either.

Serving type: can

08-17-2012 19:40:06 | More by Phyl21ca