Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree IPA

Brewed by Dark Horse Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Marshall, Michigan USA

Aroma was incredible...beautiful combination of tart & sweet. Appearance, however, had a bit to be desired. Minimal ring of a head and a body that lacked adequate carbonation. Dark blood orange color. That 13.6% definitely showed itself here...the first couple of sips were enjoyable but the alcohol was overpowering. Toffee, caramel, and brown sugar almost played a bigger role than the hops...somewhat barleywine-like.

heavy carmel and citrus aroma. pours a beautiful reddish copper. Heavy carmel and alcohol. But the alcohol is not over powering! Wonderful beer. Nice thick mouthfeel as well. Not as sweet or syrup-y as some of the other higher ABV IIPA’s. I’m gonna store a couple of others for awhile.

Pours a deep copper color with a white head. Aroma is caramel, alcohol, and juicy citrus hops. Flavor is malty, crystal malts, and a bitter juicy citrus hop finish.

Pours a beautiful rusty yellow color with an average head, and average lacing and slightly under carbonated. Smells strong citrusy hops with some malts coming through. First taste is extremely hoppy and bitter. Finishes with a lovely bitter after taste The 13.6% ABV is very well hidden. This is one good DIPA.

Cute little green wax tip on the cap. 12oz bottle. Clear copper color. Aroma of sticky, syrupy malt. Big hop citrus notes as well. Big hop aromas. Flavor of sweet malts, followed by a sharp bitterness, and then a big alcohol burn. Lots of caramel and even more hops. Put this one down for some age... 5 years maybe. BIG BEER.

A random gift from beastiefan2k... many thanks, Eugene. Deep hazy amber-brown beer. Thin white head. Big juicy hop aroma, grapefruit, brown sugar/toffee and a kiss of light oak as well Flavour is really much more barleywine than IIPA. Toasty rich malts, a bit of plum and sweet caramelly maltiness. Moderate bitterness with a fresh grapefruity/orange citrus component. Lingering sweetness. Still, it’s a pretty tasty barleywine. As it warms it starts to get a bit peppery/boozy, but it’s generally well-constrained for a 13% brew.

12oz bottle, courtesy of StFun. Thanks, Joshua! Pours a bold, clear reddish-orange color; light tan head with patchy, glistening fine-bubbled lacing. Tons of sugar and sweetness in the aroma: sticky dried fruits, candy sugar, and caramel; very generous, and sweet without being cloying. Medium-to-full mouthfeel: relaxed carbonation; candy sugar, sweetness, dried fruits (red fruits, plums), caramel; plenty of chewy hop bitterness that still doesn’t come close to overwhelming the chewy malt core; tons of well-developed sweetness; generous, sticky, and tasty. Lengthy finish: candy sugar, dried fruits, and orange hop bitterness; ends surprisingly dry.

As reviewed on 3/17/06. Pours hazy amber, off white head. Aromatics filled with bitter hops, caramel, toffee, citrus fruits. Pungent nose akin to old school Bigfoot- alcohol, grapefruit, and malt. Medium to thickish mouthfeel, lightly puckering from bitterness, sappy and lingering. Pallet filled with bitterness, malt, alcohol, and fruits. Loads of toffee, caramel, grapefruit zest, peach skin, pear seeds. Finishes long, bitter, and warming, with some residuals. Definately whithin the realm of Barleywine. Revisit 5/7/08 Dark ruby, with a one-inch head of off-white. Short-lived retention and a few streaks of lacing. Aromatics are full of juicy malt, ripe fruits, and alcohol. Fresh figs and dark bread dough atop grapefruit, oranges, and cherry pulp. Himts of butterscotch and oak. Almost meaty in nature with a tinge of wet leather. Chewy mouthfeel, quite sticky and clingy. Fresh malt with resinous hopping dominates the pallet, with plenty of boozy alcohol and tropical fruit. Slightly less malty than most Barleywines, and certainly more hoppy. Insaely drinkable and smooth for such a crusher. Wowza, what a difference a fresh example makes. Here again is a striking example of how any beer chocked full of hops is definately best fresh. I might have to follow this one up with some Exponential hoppiness!