I did not know this was a DIPA when I got, it seemed more of a standard west coast IPA with the potent grapefruit, citrus, and pine coming out in the nose and the flavor. Pale, deep golden appearance with a foamy white head. Quite dry in the mouth, soaphy with a medium foamy feel. Okay. Honestly not my favorite approach to I or II/PA.

actually a solid iipa. alcohol definitely shows its face almost ala hopslam but the beer itself doesn’t reach the delicousness of said slam. in the glass it looks like a yellowed up bud, but obviously surpasses any bud expectations with the first hoppy whaft.

I can’t let a DIPA in the Chicago region escape my notice, and this one justified my drive to the western ’burbs. It has a cloudy light amber body with a short-lived off-white head. Solid lacing, regardless. Served way too cold, I had to wait a while for the strong PNW hops to assault my nose. Grapefruit, lemon zest, pine... pretty much what I had hoped for. There’s a light caramel sweetness in the flavor, but it’s quickly overridden by the sharp hoppy bitterness, which has an addition of a sprinkle of black pepper. The finish is a satisfying, prolonged citrusy bitterness. Not too shabby.<br /><i>Exceptional with organic omlet of market fresh snow peas, artisan salami, local tomme and heirloom tomatoes sauteed in butter and finished with a splash of stout</i>.<br />That bit of wisdom from Mr. Finkel, truly a justifiably named legend in the beer world, may or may not hold true for this beer. I included it because it’s one of the silliest pairings I’ve read in a long, long time. Sue me!<br /><br /><font size=-4><a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp?PlaceID=2497><u>Rock Bottom Warrenville, Warrenville, IL</u></a><font size=-1><br />