Double IPA (Brewmaster Series) - Long Trail Brewing Co.

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

One of the best things I have had from this brewery. Very good balanced DIPA, very drinkable. Tasty orange citrus, hops up front hitting the style, good malt backbone, some caramel. Above average mouthfeel. Slightly tart. A good head on orange tinged body. Neutral aroma.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2011 03:05:57 | More by northyorksammy

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This was shocked the heck out of me. I really was not expecting it to be as good as it was, but that is the beauty of this hobby. Split into several 4 ounce glasses this one was consumed on 07/20/2010.

Nice light amber pour, very clear and very much on the golden end of the spectrum you might say as the light shining through really lit it up and gave nice perspective to the rich carbonation streams that were reaching toward the surface to replenish the inch of white foam that capped the top nicely. As I reach in for a whiff, the first thing that crosses the nose is apples! Really quite odd but it really works here. Nice citrus hops, lemons and grapefruits combine with a light touch of apples to really just give it this bright, very fruity and lively aroma and flavor. Quick hitting and very well carbonated the flavor rolls off the tongue. Again quick finish leaves the palate dry and light touches of bitter citrus all combine to really just give a light and completely session able ipa.

Overall this was outstanding. Really just a fine example of the style and a really solid effort for a nice session ale. I would love to see this hit the shelves around my stores!

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2010 00:41:03 | More by mikesgroove

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.03/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A fantastic, larger than life IPA that shows a lot of finess and boldness and without confusion. The beer begins with a richly malty foundation of shortbreads, cracker-like crispness, and light caramel sweetness. Moderate fruitiness of peaches, pears, and appricots blend well with the malt character and gives a nice bridge into the citrus hops. Boldy bitter but not unnecessarity bitey; but ultimately the orange zest and grapefruit flavors dictate the pace of the beer. Definately hop flavor forward and with a background thrust from the malts that only compliment the hops. Dry and juicy in the finish and with weakening maltiness. Alcohols are present and are amplified by a big nail polish remover taste, this also increases the perception of sweetness. A terrific Double IPA that I'll be happy to drink whenever one finds my glass.

Thanks Conneticutpoet!

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2009 22:21:38 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

3.93/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Its nice to see Long Trail take the plunge into the Imperial IPA style...its about time.Poured into a small tulip glass a lighter golden with a great two finger creamy-like head that settled very slowly leaving multiple rings of lace behind.Aromas were a bit light for the style but it had good hop complexities,a mix of citrus and geranium "greenness",even a hint of tea,a big caramel/biscuit base melded into the hop presence.Although the flavors were not as big as many of the style the complexity was there,a mix of leafy and citric hop mixed with caramel bscuit notes,as it warmed subtle leather and toffee came thru as well.The alcohol is well hidden and the flavors are just a bit subdued,if there was a beginner beer for the style this would be it in my mind.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2009 01:16:48 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I've always found Long Trail to be a pretty reserved brewery, one that keeps things in check and doesn't go overboard or try to rush for the hype. And I appreciate that. They seem to have some integrity. They seem to want to make focused beers that are drinkable and go pretty well with food. Maybe I'm adding that last part on, but OK, maybe they're not foodies but at least they're not flashy, they're just good! So when I saw a bottle of the Double IPA for $7.50 I figured I couldn't go wrong.

And I was totally right!!!

It's a superbly rounded, strong IPA with a golden, light-caramel and subtly toasty malt base that's equally balanced by brightly citrusy (grapefruit, pineapple, tangerine, berries) and gently piney and spruce-like hops. The malt sphere is a penetrable sweet ball (meaning it's not super thick sweet malt), and the hops poke through it at all angles. Hop bitterness is present, of course, as it IS an IPA, but it's balanced and smooth. And, really quite surprisingly, the 8.6% alcohol by volume never shows.

Possibly the most drinkable double IPA I've ever had?

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2009 00:38:06 | More by NeroFiddled

WesWes

New York

4.3/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to almychristopher for this one.

The beer pours a hazy gold color with a thick frothy white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is great. It has a wondeful hop nose that boasts of citrus hops and pale/Carapils malts. The taste is great as well. It has a SMOOTH pale malt flavor with a nice bit of body and a killer hop taste. It's citrousy up front with a bit of malt sweetness. It goes down easy and finishes with a silky smooth mouthfeel. It is a full bodied beer with perfect carbonation. This is a really nice DIPA. It drinks well and is full of character. Nice Job.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2009 22:30:07 | More by WesWes

metter98

New York

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

A: The beer is hazy golden yellow in color (with some hints of amber) and has a light to moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high beige head that died down but consistently left a thin head covering the surface and webs of lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: There are light to moderately strong aromas of citrusy hops in the nose—grapefruit and oranges seem to stand out in particular—along with some hints of pine resin.
T: Like the smell, the taste has flavors of citrus as well as some notes of pine resin from the hops and hints of caramel malts and alcohol. There is a moderate amount of bitterness, which especially lingers through the finish.
M: It feels medium-bodied, crisp and a bit smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. A very slight amount of alcohol heat is noticeable.
O: This is a solid and well-balanced IPA. I had no problem drinking a bomber of this by myself.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 00:16:06 | More by metter98

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.03/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to jwc215, cheers Joe!

Pours honey colored with a finger of sand colored head. Superb lacing & good head retention

S: Resiny & leafy hops, plus some lemon

T: Grapefruit, lemons, a bit of grassyness up front, along with a touch of dryness. Juicy citric hops & a touch of peach are there as this warms, plus some more leafy hops. Finishes grapefruitty with dryness, plus some leafy hops mingling with pineapple. Almost pulled a 4.5

MF: Medium bodied, semi-oily with moderate carbonation

Drinks easy enough, pretty solid DIPA from a brewery I've wanting to try for a while

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2009 02:41:29 | More by russpowell

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap 9/9/09 at Doherty's East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a deep orange/brown color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is a nice blend of grassy hops, citrus and caramelized malts.

T: The taste starts out with a strong but not over-powering hops burst that is quickly followed by a citrus and caramel sweetness. The malt character is hearty but thinner than most 2IPA's and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly bitter and slightly hoppy.

M: Smooth and very crisp, medium body, light-to-medium carbonation, finish is clean.

D: Tasty, goes down very easily, not too filling, nice kick, good representation of style, this is a good strong easy-drinking hoppy beer that is worth drinking for a whole evening.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2009 18:59:06 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer pours out as a copper yellow color. The head was nice and thick looking. The smell was citrusy and hoppy. Very appealing aroma. The taste has a good amount of hoppiness to it. I feel this is a pretty solid DIPA. The mouthfeel Has a good body to it. Overall it's a good brew and would drink again.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2011 03:58:43 | More by Knapp85

Gavage

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: cloudy orange color with a 1" head that lasts. The head sports some big bubbles too.

Smell: grapefruit, pine, and a mild sweetness rises from the glass.

Taste: big caramel profile with grapefruit, soft pine, honey, green grapes, and a hearty bitterness that does not blow the doors off. There is a hint of alcohol here but it seems well hidden.

Mouthfeel: medium-heavy in body. Light crisp to start, smooth and dry late. Long aftertaste with this one.

Drinakbility: for the style this was very easy to drink. Definitely liked this beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2009 18:03:21 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

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

Pours hazed golden with a thick creamy head. Spotted lacing sticks.

The smell is citric - grapefruity and piney/resiny.

The taste is of hop bitterness - citric, asprin-y/herbal wrapped in a caramelish sweetness. A touch of warming alcohol shows in a dry finish.

On the lighter side of the style, but creamy and, despite a hint of booze, quite drinkable. A bigger IPA more than a typical double/imp. IPA. A good dose of hops with a firm malt backbone - a nice one, especially for the very reasonable price!

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2009 01:42:23 | More by jwc215

tempest

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Little Ortino's for $4/pint. Like a lot of the Long Trail beers I've tried, this is pretty good but not great. The aroma is surprisingly simple for a DIPA with perfumey citrus that doesn't really go anywhere. The taste has a nicer mix of orange rind, citrus, and apricot with growing spice in the aftertaste. I did like that at it's lower strength (for the style), it's a relatively drinkable DIPA and I wouldn't hesitate to have a second glass if I was so moved. They could probably do a little more with the hops, but this is a respectable DIPA.

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2009 11:53:22 | More by tempest

akorsak

Pennsylvania

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

Brief thoughts on a bomber (as featured in the BA picture) courtesy of rochefort10nh on June 5, 2009.

The citrus hops are abundant and sweet, coating the tastebuds with a light but bitter flavor. The citrus fruits include mango, apricot, and pineapple. The ale is a little hot, boozy in its hop strength.

I think that my original scores were just right.

***

A 12 oz bottle courtesy of dashirey. The label is that of an upside down Long Trail IPA. Seeing this label brings be fond memories of a midsummer lunch on the banks of the Ottaquechee River.

A: The DIPA has an orange glow, slightly hazy, with a coppery new penny color. A two-plus finger head is nicely lacing around the mouth of the glass.

S: The nose is oily thick, full of citrusy rinds and grapefruit. Nectarine and apricot aromas add to the fruity melange of hop goodness.

T: The taste picks up where the nose leaves off, with lots of resiny hops. The citrus fruits are abundant and biting, lots of grapefruit, tangerine and orange rind. Thrown into the mix is a peppery bite that adds some heat to the body. The biscuity malt base stands up nicely to the hops, keeping the citrus in line. For the strength of the hops, the finish is a nice blend of hops and malts, foregoing an all-out lupulin assault.

M: The ale is quite well-balanced, a DIPA that doesn't kick your ass. The resiny hops also nicely hide the alcohol.

D: This is an enjoyable beer, showing off a lot of hops upfront and good balance throughout. A nice under-the-radar offering from Long Trail.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2008 01:54:01 | More by akorsak

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.95/5  rDev -2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a deep orange color with good carbonation leaving a small white cap

S: Has a nice dose of pine, light floral and citrus notes

T: Has a pretty evident booze bite and crystak malt which I can pretty easily detect. Has a nice citrus, pine element which is coupked with crystal malt;provides a nice bite medium sip to finish

M: Medium body, tasty and a bit warming

O: A pretty good IIPA

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 03:48:01 | More by barleywinefiend

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thick white head that leaves extensive lace after each sip. Really quite impressive. The liquid is cloudy with a yellow-gold color.

Lots of grapefruit hop aroma. I can detect some alcohol in the nose as well.

Strong bitterness (as expected) with notable alcohol oils. The malt is muted. Good richness with appropriate carbonation. Beware, this is an extremely easy IPA to drink.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2009 00:16:52 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

3.85/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks goes out to ybnorml for this brew.

22oz. Bomber

Pours a nice cloudy yellow color, nice carbonation, nice one-finger creamy off-white head, with some nice small islands and sticky lacing left behind. The nose is hoppy, with a nice malt balance, citrus, slight pines, and some spicyness. The taste starts off sweet, with some nice hop notes, and some malts to balance this brew out. Nice little citrus note, slight pinyness, and some spice notes. Medium body. Drinkable, all-around tasty brew, but was expecting more, since having the other brewmaster series brews.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2010 23:58:43 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.58/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a three finger white head that fades slowly to a thin layer leaving a good lace. Cloudy amber color. Medium carbonation and medium bodied. Light hoppy nose. Flavor is sweet grapefruit hops and some caramel. Slight bitter finish. $4.99 for a 22oz bottle from Beverage Warehouse Winooski, VT.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2009 22:45:39 | More by jdhilt

Billolick

New York

4.03/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Long Trail Brewers reserve DIPA

Bomber bottle, w/o Freshness Dating of any sort

Pours totally cloudy apricot amber, frothy long lasting off white head and then leaves plenty of ringed sheeting and fine lace.

Citric and herbal hop nose

Respectable, grainy, pine hop assault. Quite dry on the tongue and finish. Fresh and tasty ale, nice take on the style. Nice job by long trail. Well worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2009 10:49:54 | More by Billolick

mdfb79

New York

3.78/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into my Duvel tulip.

a - Pours an orange color with one finger of fluffy white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of light citrus and floral hops, fruity malts, and caramel malts.

t - Tastes of fruity and caramel malts. Some light citrus hops as well.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation.

d - A nice beer but didn't really feel like it was a DIPA. Not really a lot of hops here and this beer is not very old at all. Would give another shot.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2010 23:33:18 | More by mdfb79

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bomber to snifter.

A: Golden orange color with lots of sediment and but thick 2 finger head that shows no signs of fading

N: Lots of juicy noble hops dominate the nose, pine and citrus are there but somewhat light surprisngly, sour fruity hop kick comes in as well with some grapefruit, slight crystal malts

T: Starts with piney noble hops, tons of them, some crystal malts, juicy citrus fruit, some grapefruit, with a hop taste center, a big malt backbone helps the taste, theres also some slight sour fruit, and lots of fresh hop taste

M: Thick and frothy but still semi thin

F: Huge bitter hop bite at the end semi dry, more floral grassy, piney, citrus hops, some spicey and earthiness, the long bitterness sticks around for 25 seconds or so.

Final thoughts: Its a pretty good IPA. Most of the bitter hops are late. It also has a good malt backbone. It seems they used quite a few different hop styles as I detected pine, citrus and grapefruit, floral grassy, and even spicey hops. Not the best IPA but a good one.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2009 22:08:19 | More by jlindros

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.53/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

22oz bottle purchased as a single from Austin Liquors, Shrewsbury, MA.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/2" off-white head over the slightly cloudy golden brew. Head is quickly down to a skim layer, with lasting lace. Aroma is strongly of pine and alcohol. Taste is moderately sweet upfront, a flash of citrus in the middle, and a pine hops close with a warming afterglow. Mouthfeel is amazingly smooth, and drinkability is superb. Artful use of hopping here, no bitter for bitter face's sake. Great stuff.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2009 22:12:27 | More by ppoitras

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Northside...
Apears a transparent light gold with a small white cap that quickly fades. Scattered streaks of lacing are left round the glass.
Smell is of baked biscuits, citrus, herbs, cut grass, pine sap, and cut wood.
Taste is of the flavors with notes of vanilla and bitter orange peel.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, well balanced with hop oils resonating in the finish.

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2010 01:28:32 | More by weeare138

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle into a globe glass.

Pours a brilliant crystal clear gold, with several foamy fingers of tight brite-white head. This eventually settles down into a rigid finger, leaving a massive frothy cascade back that just COATS the sides of the glass with sticky lace. The aroma is big with floral hops and spice, and just LUSH tropical fruits, including notes of mango, peaches, and pineapple that must pop in the nose! Lightly toasted breadiness and an even tinier smidgen of heat glide underneath the hop character.

The taste is spice and pine, with a sticky bitterness that stretches throughout. A sweet backbone of honey, bread, and tropical fruits is present. Thanks to the excellent balance here, the finish is less bitter and a little more tangy, which still puts a steady dry feel on the palate. The mouthfeel is medium bodied overall, with a big fuller creaminess up front that then gives way to a super slick and oily feel underneath. Good balance between the two feels gives this both presence and ease in the mouth.

Very nice! An all around pleasant surprise for me, the balance was fantastic and the ABV was exactly were I like it my DIPAs (8-9%). It's got some flavor beef to it, but isn't overly sweet and allows the hop character to really come out. Great stuff!

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2009 17:00:47 | More by Kegatron

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Draft at The Pour House in Westmont, NJ.

Pours a hazy, dark golden orange color with tangerine edges and a one finger frothy white head.  Pretty good retention, only slowly fading into a lasting ring.  Streaks and chunks of soapy lacing left behind.

Slightly floral, resinous hop aroma with lots of grassy pine countered by citrus/tropical fruit and pale malt.  Kind of similar to the west coast style with nice pine needle character countered by grapefruit, pineapple and lemon peel.  Not as tropical but pretty juicy with subtle pale malt in the background.

Medium bodied with a strong floral and earthy hop presence up front that provides some lingering dry bitterness.  Perfume like and pretty boozy with subtle citrus fruit notes.  Slight sweetness but not as much as the nose suggests.  Pale malt backbone with bread, biscuit and graham cracker flavor.  Lots of sweet booze in the finish.  Not harsh but not very refreshing or drinkable either.

Serving type: on-tap

09-06-2012 01:06:18 | More by corby112