A Double IPA (known in some circles as an Imperial IPA) is a stronger version of the popular India Pale Ale craft beer style, with a higher alcohol content, more hop bitterness and flavor, and a greater perception of malt sweetness.
Double IPAs are usually characterized by intense hop aromas and flavors of citrus, pine, and other assorted tropical and stone fruit, along with a moderate-to-high malt sweetness and a moderate-to-high alcohol content.
Some of the most popular Double IPAs have an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 8.0-10.0% ABV, but the style can range from 7% to nearly 15%, depending on the specific beer. Though the overall sweetness of the beer increases with ABV, brewers often counterbalance the malt sweetness with a very significant hop bitterness.
The hop bitterness can range from 60-100 IBUs (International Bitterness Units). Differentiating Double IPAs from other styles of IPAs can be a difficult task at times, as some breweries tinker with ingredients, ABV, and IBUs to produce results that live in a seemingly grey area between an average IPA and a Double IPA.
What makes an IPA a double or triple?
An IPA (India Pale Ale) is considered to be a “double” or “triple” based on its alcohol by volume (ABV). A double IPA typically has an ABV of between 7 to 10 percent, while a triple IPA usually contains an ABV of 10 percent or greater.
The hop level (IBUs or International Bitterness Units) also plays a role in determining if a beer is considered to be a double or triple, with double IPAs containing a higher IBUs than its counterpart.
Generally, double and triple IPAs have more intense and robust hop profiles than single IPAs, giving them their distinctive flavor and aroma. In addition to their higher ABV and hop levels, the use of specialty malts and grains give double and triple IPAs a more complex flavor profile.
Double and triple IPAs also typically contain more malt sweetness than their sole counterparts, which gives them their characteristic aroma and body.
Is sip of sunshine a New England IPA?
No, Sip of Sunshine is not a New England IPA. This beer is actually a Double IPA brewed by Lawson’s Finest Liquids in Warren, Vermont. The beer has tropical fruit and citrus hop character, as well as an incredibly juicy aroma and flavor.
It is one of Lawson’s most popular brews and has been rated 96 on Beer Advocate and 97 on RateBeer.
What kind of IPA is sip of sunshine?
Sip of Sunshine is an American Double IPA brewed by Lawson’s Finest Liquids. The beer is brewed with a combination of Amarillo, Citra, and Simcoe hops, giving it tropical, citrus, and piney aroma and flavor.
As a Double IPA it has a higher alcohol content than traditional IPAs, usually ranging between 8-9% ABV. Thanks to the blend of hops it also has a higher-than-average IBU (International Bitterness Unit) rating, typically between 85-95 IBU.
Despite the high bitterness, its bittering hops are balanced out by the use of sweet caramel malts and candi sugar for a smooth, full-bodied finish.
How much is a 4 pack of Sip of Sunshine?
A four pack of Sip of Sunshine from Lawson’s Finest Liquids costs $22.99. This beer is an American double IPA with 8.0% ABV and is brewed with Vermont maple syrup. This beer is described as having a “juicy tropical fruit aroma and flavor featuring orange, mango, pine and a hint of lemon,” and can be enjoyed at almost any occasion!.
How many calories in a Lawson’s sip of sunshine beer?
A 12 oz can of Lawson’s Sip of Sunshine beer contains approximately 205 calories. This beer is an 8.0% ABV India Pale Ale and has a light and refreshing taste. It’s packed with bright citrusy goodness from the blend of Citra, Centennial, and Simcoe hops that pack a juicy punch.
The beer’s malt profile has big notes of honey and light toast that create a pleasant and balanced backbone for these intense hops. Its full-bodied flavor is both inviting and flavorful.
What is Lupulin powder?
Lupulin powder is a form of hops that is used to flavour various types of beer. It is produced from a hop cone, where the upper portion of the cone is removed and separated from the lupulin glands, which contain the flavouring resins and aromatic oils.
Once separated, the glands are then dried and milled into a fine powder. This powder has a higher concentration of hops flavouring than traditional hop pellet form, making it more convenient for brewers who want a greater hop character in their beer.
Moreover, Lupulin powder has a greater shelf life, better flavor stability, and produces less trub than hop pellets. As a result, many craft brewers are now using lupulin powder when making their beers, in place of traditional hop pellets.
Is a juicy IPA a hazy IPA?
No, a juicy IPA is not necessarily a hazy IPA, although some juicy IPAs can be hazy. Generally speaking, when people talk about a juicy IPA they are referring to an IPA that has a high hop to malt ratio, which can lead to a fuller, more intense flavor.
This hoppiness is often achieved through the use of juicy hop varietals, such as the Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe, which lend intense notes of fruity hops and resinous pine. Hazy IPAs, on the other hand, achieve their characteristic hazy appearance by using wheat, oats, or rye as part of the brewing process, which makes them ‘cloudy’.
Haze IPAs also usually tend to be sweeter and less bitter than their juicier counterparts. While both juicy IPAs and hazy IPAs have their unique characteristics, their production processes and tastes can often overlap, with some beers ticking the boxes for both categories.
How long is sip of sunshine good for?
The shelf life of Sip of Sunshine beer is typically around 6 months when kept under optimum storage conditions, including a cool and dark location free of light and temperature changes. The longer the beer is kept, the more its flavor will change.
If stored properly, Sip of Sunshine can age well up to one year, but the flavor may start to change after this point. The type of ingredients used also affects the beer’s shelf life, as some beers are more prone to oxidation and can start to taste off before their max shelf life.
Generally, it’s best to drink your beer within the optimal time frame to ensure the best flavor.
What is juicy IPA?
Juicy IPA is a style of India Pale Ale that features a massive hop aroma and taste with a low bitterness level. This style of IPA is known for its bright, fruity qualities and intense aromas of citrus and tropical fruit, followed by a soft, malt body.
It is often hazy in appearance and has a juicy or creamy texture and mouthfeel. Juicy IPAs have become increasingly popular over the past few years as brewers experiment with new hop combinations and hop processing technologies to impart intense aroma and flavor.
They are often dry-hopped with more aromatic hop varieties such as Mosaic, Citra, Simcoe, and Amarillo to bring out even more juicy fruit characteristics.
Where is Heady Topper brewed?
Heady Topper is brewed by The Alchemist brewery in Waterbury, Vermont. The brewery was founded by John and Jen Kimmich in 2003, and has long been regarded as one of the best breweries in the country.
Heady Topper is their flagship beer, an American Double India Pale Ale filled with huge hop flavor and aroma, balanced by smooth and satisfying malt. Heady Topper is brewed in the 10,000 square foot production facility, located on Cottage Street in downtown Waterbury.
Here, the team produces over 130,000 barrels annually of their popular beers, including Heady Topper. The beer is then canned and shipped to distributors and stores throughout New England and the Capital Region of New York.
For those eager to experience Heady Topper right at the source, the brewery tasting room is open Thursday through Sunday, offering growlers, cans and pints of their world-class beers.
