Upstream Double IPA

64oz Growler $11.00 Upstream Upstream’s "Double" IPA pours a deep clear golden wit ha noticeable lack of carbonation bubbles. Although there’s not much carbonation to be seen a two finger craggy white head formed on the pour and left thin drink lines as it fell to a thin cap. A good looking beer. There’s a bit of a citric hoppiness that leans toward orange but the hoppiness most noticeable leans toward the earthy side. There’s even a vinous character that’s pretty unique although not that great. The malt backbone comes across as biscuity and cake like. Not a bad smelling IPA and it certainly gets better as it warms. A hint of alcohol wafts in and out. Flavor is different then the nose suggested. The malt presence is there and lays a solid foundation but the hops squeak out the malt. Biscuity dry and a slightly sweet cake like maltiness kick things off. Mild orange comes through. It’s the dominant hop flavor but is in control and enjoyable. I’m having a hard time picking out the other citrus but I’m going to say under ripe pineapple that lends a little earthiness to the taste. The more I drink the more I like. A moderate body shows a nice silky airiness from the mellow carbonation. The alcohol lends dryness to the finish that accentuates the bitterness that grows as I drink. An easy drinking IPA. A few pints can be put away without a problem and I will enjoy every one of them. My first beer from Upstream. I wasn’t too fond of this "Double" IPA at first sip but it grew on me until I started to really enjoy it. 5/31/08

Draft sample at Upstream Old Market. Poured clear golden color with an average frothy white head that mostly lasted with excellent lacing. Moderate malt and sour citrus hop aroma. Medium body with a smooth texture. Medium bittersweet flavor with a medium bittersweet finish of moderate duration. My expectations where met and I had a pint with my food..

On tap at the brewpub. Pours a hazy gold with a creamy off-white head and patchy lace. Caramel malt behind big citrus hops. Medium-bodied and slick with a well balanced, bitter finish. The flavor follows the nose with a sweet, mouthwatering, bitter-hopped finish. This is more of a standard IPA than a "double", but it is easily the best of the offerings I sampled at the brewpub.

On cask at the brewpub.Pours cloudy gold with a long-lasting, creamy whitish head.The nose is exactly like cutting into a grapefruit. I’ve never smelled another beer so similar to the real thing. Light to medium-bodied and silky with a controlled bitter finish. The flavor, like the nose, is all grapefruit. The tap version is more balanced in its flavor, but this is still great if you like grapefruit juice; unlike any other IPA I’ve sampled to date. (The score remains essentially the same, simply reversing the aroma and flavor scores.)

Tap @ brewpub: The brewer said this wasn’t a 2IPA, but anyways . . . they meant "double" as in "in your face" IPA. However, this is definitely their best beer. It is a cloudy look with a puffy head and lots of lacing. The aroma is fruity apricots and hops. The flowery hop flavor has a lasting bitterness that is nice. It’s only fault is that it has that hairspray quality to the bitterness. The body is quite thick and leaves a lot on the tongue to ponder.

Date: 07/15/2006
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting, RBSG, 2006

hazy amber, whispy white head, slightly sweet carmel malt flavor, touch pf pine, long bitter finish, tasty but small for a double IPA

Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 11/20
Rating: 2.8/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: *4

Sampled on 7/15/06 at the RBSG ’06 Grand Tasting out of a growler courtesy of Sledge Jr: Pours a clear golden bronze with a thin-lacing wispy white head. Drier grainier earthy hoppy aroma is not very assertive for the style. Body starts fairly full and mildly sweet with some drier bittering hops, but not the bold hoppy character I’m used to in the style. Would make a decent IPA or APA though.

A hazy orange beer with a white head. The aroma is sweet malty with light notes of hops. The flavor is sweet with light notes of hops and grass, and towards the end light notes of grapefruit appears. Boring for a Double IPA.

Juicy and citric aroma, notes of orange peel, lemon and tangerine along with some lightly floral, honeyish sweetness, some very faint malty doughiness and cedary touches. Medium hue of orange-copper with a slight, uneven, mostly lasting head. Initial impression is rather fruity and malty, some toasty sugariness throughout with hints of gentle pear and apple mingling with the citric, flowery hop presence, this becoming moderately bitter and very lightly astringent towards the finish, which is also lightly spicy and piney with hints of grapefruit and pineapple. Palate is somewhat sticky and resinous, medium-full body and lively carbonation. Certainly drinkable and has some character, but perhaps not fitting my concept of a Double IPA, more like a standard IPA.