Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree IPA

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

Uniquely awesome for a DIPA because it leans towards the malt side instead of bowling you over with hops. The only reason I didn’t give this a superbly high rating is because the alcohol astringency does come through and takes something away from the full delicious effect.

pours a very dark red/sienna pour, the color of a fine cognac, very little head that disappears quickly leaving think lacing and an outer ring. nose is very bready and sweet, delectable! hints of raisins and lots of malts, sweet maple and blackstrap molases. def wouldn’t guess iipa just by the smell and look on this one! wow! the taste is uberrobust, huge bodied and just plain heavy. i say 5 for palate, i though 9-10%, not almost 14%!!! very smooth for this amount of alcohol. you can taste and even smell it slightly, but it is very well hidden. it’s super bready and filling, like drinking dinner as i finish this 12oz to my head!

Another big thank you to Adrian for this big big beer. Cool, weird drawing on label with what appears to be Indian writing. Wax sealed cap. Reddish brown pour. This is the most potent IPA I have yet sampled. The very fine aroma is hoppy, sweet, and malty. It tastes as rich (but not as hoppy) as I imagined it would. Fine hops, smoky molasses-like malts, and touches of orange, cinnamon, and honey. Double Crooked Tree is thick and smooth on the palate, and unlike some other mega IPAs, it never burns or scrapes, and it keeps its alcohol quietly tucked away in a cupboard. It reminds me a little of Dogfish 90, but more potent. This perhaps does not possess as truly inspiring a hop profile as some, but this is an excellent high octane brew.

Everything about this is strong: strong, citrus aroma, strong bitter palate, strong hoppy flavor. Pours very dark for even a double pale ale. It is an excellent beer and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for flavor. This is the best double IPA I have drank yet.

bottle poured an amber in color with a thin off white head. aroma has more sweet malt than expected, hops, and citrus in the back round. flavor has plenty of rich malt, sweetness, caramel, light bitterness, muted floral hops, and citrus again that tries to shine through. amazing job at hiding the alcohol in this one. super chewy.

Poured orange/copper with stark white head, smelled of thick hops and a huge malt backbone. A little too much malt and alcohol in the taste, but the hops still come through well. Overall a good IIPA.

12 oz bottle (no wax) into snifter at cellar temp. Great crystal clear dark copper body with a bit of a redish hue and a descent but fading cream off-white colored head. Aroma is only faintly hoppy with citrus juicy hops with a rich sweetness. The flavor is the same, Very well balanced all around. I am not one for sweet beers, but this is quite enjoyable. A bit hot (but I was still blown away after typing this to see that the abv is 13.6!!!... not nearly THAT hot), but pleasantly warming. Medium bodied with minimal carbonation -- smooth and creamy. Overall: a very good solid IIPA.

From coyote hunter via trade. Pours clear, dark copper with a nice off-white head and minimal lacing. The aroma is an intense concentration of malt and booze. Some floral notes and suntan lotion trying to come out. Very little citrus happening. The flavor is more malts and alcohol. Some cereal and light peppery spice. THe mouthfeel is medium in body. Much closer to a barleywine than a DIPA to me.