Floc ~ Plenty Everything 8.0% DIPA
Floc’s Plenty Everything is an exceptionally juicy Double IPA that brings an explosion of tropical flavours with every sip. The beer pours a hazy, golden amber, with a frothy white head that leaves a lasting lacing on the glass. The aroma is an enticing mix of white grape, passionfruit, lime, and citrus, which draws you in with its brightness. On the palate, the beer is smooth and tropical, with layers of juicy fruit—especially pineapple and passionfruit—coated with a slight dankness that rounds out the finish. The mouthfeel is full and velvety, making it a refreshing yet satisfying DIPA that packs all the punch without feeling overly heavy.
Interesting Fact: The combination of hops in Plenty Everything helps create its complex flavour profile. While the white grape and lime notes come from the hops’ bright, citric properties, the passionfruit is likely coming from a blend of tropical hops, including Nelson Sauvin and Galaxy, known for imparting passionfruit and citrus flavours. The slight dankness gives the beer an added layer of complexity, elevating it beyond just a juicy tropical IPA into something with a little more depth.
Pairing Suggestions: This vibrant DIPA is perfect with bold and flavourful foods. Pair it with a grilled fish taco, where the beer’s tropical fruitiness enhances the richness of the fish and contrasts with the spicy kick of salsa. It also works well with roasted chicken, particularly with a citrus glaze, where the lime and citrus notes of the beer bring out the zest in the dish. For dessert, enjoy it with a tropical fruit salad or a passionfruit sorbet, where the beer’s fruit-forward character will elevate the sweetness and freshness of the fruit.
Full Circle ~ Dip Club 8.2% Cold DIPA
Dip Club from Full Circle is a Cold Double IPA that showcases a crisp and refreshing hop character, making it feel like a dip in the ocean. Pouring a hazy golden colour with a thick, creamy head, the beer greets you with a pithy citrus aroma from the Cascade, CTZ, and Talus hops, accompanied by delicate floral notes. On the palate, the beer is incredibly smooth, with grapefruit, lime, and a subtle tropical punch from Luminosa hops. The finish is dry, with a clean, crisp bitterness that makes this a drinkable and refreshing DIPA, ideal for those who want the hop intensity without the heaviness.
Interesting Fact: Dip Club is part of Full Circle’s Balance series, and it stands out due to its use of Luminosa hops. Luminosa, a relatively new hop variety, adds a tropical fruit punch with notes of pineapple and citrus, creating a perfect balance to the pithy, floral bitterness of the Cascade, CTZ, and Talus hops. The use of the cold fermentation method enhances the clarity and crispness of the beer, resulting in a refreshing DIPA that maintains hop complexity while being lighter on the palate.
Pairing Suggestions: The bright, citrusy flavours of Dip Club pair beautifully with fresh seafood, such as a grilled shrimp or a ceviche, where the beer’s crispness complements the lightness of the fish. It also works wonderfully with a citrus-marinated chicken dish, where the zesty flavours of the beer align with the tangy marinade. For dessert, consider pairing it with a lemon meringue pie or a fresh fruit tart, where the beer’s citrus notes bring out the natural sweetness of the fruit.
Pentrich ~ Low Lays The Devil 8.0% DIPA
Pentrich’s Low Lays The Devil is an intensely hopped DIPA that brings the best of Citra and Riwaka hops together in one beer. Pouring a hazy, golden hue with a thick, white head, the beer offers a bouquet of aromas featuring citrus, pineapple, and tropical fruit. The first sip reveals an explosion of juicy, tropical flavours—think grapefruit, orange, and passionfruit—balanced by a soft bitterness that’s barely noticeable. The finish is smooth, and the beer drinks far lighter than its 8.0% ABV, making it a dangerously easy DIPA to consume.
Interesting Fact: The unique hop combination of Citra and Riwaka hops in Low Lays The Devil creates a beer that is both juicy and balanced. Citra is known for its tropical fruit and citrus flavours, while Riwaka, a New Zealand hop, adds bright, tropical citrus and pineapple characteristics. Together, these hops produce a lively and aromatic beer with a complex yet approachable bitterness that makes the beer highly drinkable despite its strength.
Pairing Suggestions: The tropical fruit flavours in Low Lays The Devil are ideal for pairing with dishes that have bright, zesty flavours. Try it with a spicy tuna poke bowl, where the beer’s juiciness complements the freshness of the fish and the heat from the chili. It also pairs excellently with grilled meats, especially a spicy barbecue, where the beer’s bitterness helps to balance the richness of the sauce. For dessert, this DIPA pairs well with a coconut cream pie or a tropical fruit sorbet, where the beer’s fruitiness enhances the sweetness of the dish.
Siren Craft Brew ~ Smart Shuffle 8.0% DIPA
Siren’s Smart Shuffle is a hop-saturated, sticky, and tropical hazy Double IPA that presents itself as a juicy, aromatic experience. The beer pours a murky golden amber with a frothy white head. On the nose, it offers an enticing mix of citrus and orange aromas, combined with the sweet, ripe fruitiness of mango. The flavour is just as tropical, with notes of orange zest, mango, and a delicate piney bitterness that builds through the finish. The beer’s mouthfeel is soft and smooth, and it has just the right amount of sweetness to balance the hop bitterness.
Interesting Fact: Smart Shuffle gets its tropical and citrus character from an array of hops, including Citra and Mosaic, two varieties known for their intense fruit flavours. Citra imparts a burst of citrus, orange, and lime, while Mosaic adds tropical fruit and piney notes. The combination of these hops creates a beer that is both aromatic and flavourful, with a slight dankness from the Mosaic, making it a perfect example of a hop-forward DIPA.
Pairing Suggestions: This DIPA pairs well with foods that have bold, tropical flavours. Try it with a spicy jerk chicken, where the beer’s citrus and mango notes complement the heat and spices. It also works beautifully with a seafood platter, especially grilled lobster or crab, where the beer’s refreshing citrus notes cut through the richness of the shellfish. For dessert, enjoy it with a mango sorbet or a tropical fruit salad, where the beer’s fruitiness enhances the natural sweetness of the fruit.
Azvex ~ Swedish Buzzsaw 8.2% DIPA
Azvex’s Swedish Buzzsaw is a bold and vibrant DIPA dry-hopped with Citra, Mosaic, Strata, and Nelson Sauvin, creating a beer that’s bursting with citrus and tropical fruit flavours. Pouring a hazy golden amber with a thick, creamy head, the beer greets you with aromas of tropical fruit, citrus, and a touch of pine. The first sip delivers a complex combination of grapefruit, pineapple, and passionfruit, complemented by the earthy bitterness of the Strata and the distinctive white wine-like flavours of Nelson Sauvin. The finish is smooth and well-balanced, with just the right amount of bitterness to keep things refreshing.
Interesting Fact: The use of Citra, Mosaic, Strata, and Nelson Sauvin hops in Swedish Buzzsaw brings a wide range of flavours to the beer. Citra adds tropical fruit and citrus, Mosaic brings its signature mango and piney notes, Strata contributes earthy and herbal bitterness, and Nelson Sauvin adds a unique white wine-like characteristic. This combination of hops creates a layered, aromatic beer with a well-rounded flavour profile.
Pairing Suggestions: The tropical fruit flavours and balanced bitterness of Swedish Buzzsaw make it a perfect match for grilled meats, particularly grilled pork or beef with a spicy rub. It also pairs well with a sharp cheddar cheese or a creamy goat cheese, where the beer’s bitterness complements the richness of the cheese. For dessert, try pairing it with a citrus cheesecake or a pineapple upside-down cake, where the beer’s fruit-forward character enhances the sweetness of the dessert.
Overtone x Azvex ~ Motorphobia 8.0% DIPA
In collaboration with Azvex, Overtone’s Motorphobia is a vibrant and fruity Double IPA that highlights the citrus notes of The Bruce hop, balanced with a refreshing tropical finish. The beer pours a hazy golden amber, with a fluffy white head that adds to its inviting appearance. The aroma is an enticing mix of citrus and tropical fruit, with notes of orange, lime, and pineapple. On the palate, the beer is smooth and juicy, with the citrus flavours of The Bruce hop complemented by a soft bitterness and a clean, refreshing finish.
Interesting Fact: The Bruce hop, featured prominently in Motorphobia, is a new Australian variety that has gained attention for its unique citrus and tropical fruit profile. It imparts flavours of orange, lime, and grapefruit, making it a perfect choice for a hop-forward beer like this. The combination of The Bruce with Cascade, Motueka, and Peacherine hops enhances the beer’s tropical fruit character, creating a vibrant and refreshing DIPA.
Pairing Suggestions: Motorphobia pairs wonderfully with light and flavourful dishes. Try it with a spicy Thai curry or a zesty ceviche, where the beer’s citrusy notes complement the heat and freshness of the dish. It also works well with a grilled chicken salad, where the beer’s tropical flavours enhance the grilled flavours of the chicken. For dessert, pair it with a citrus sorbet or a key lime pie, where the beer’s bright, tropical notes will accentuate the tanginess of the dessert.
Pressure Drop ~ Behind Door Number 3 8.4% DIPA
Pressure Drop’s Behind Door Number 3 is a hop-bomb of fruity, hazy goodness. The beer pours a vibrant, cloudy amber with a frothy white head. On the nose, it’s an intense burst of citrus, tropical fruit, and pine, which carries through on the palate. The flavour is a powerful mix of grapefruit, pineapple, and a hint of pine, with a smooth bitterness that balances the fruitiness. Despite its 8.4% ABV, it drinks much lighter, making it dangerously easy to enjoy.
Interesting Fact: Behind Door Number 3 is dry-hopped with Citra and Mosaic, two of the most popular hops in the craft beer world. Citra is known for its tropical fruit and citrus flavours, while Mosaic adds depth with its earthy and piney character. The combination of these hops creates a DIPA that is both aromatic and flavourful, with just the right amount of bitterness to keep things balanced.
Pairing Suggestions: This DIPA is perfect with bold, flavourful foods. Try it with a spicy barbecue or a blue cheese burger, where the beer’s bitterness helps cut through the richness of the meat and cheese. It also pairs wonderfully with a charcuterie board, where the beer’s hop intensity complements the salty meats and strong cheeses. For dessert, pair it with a citrus-flavoured cake or a pineapple upside-down cake, where the beer’s fruitiness enhances the sweetness of the dessert.
Mad Squirrel ~ X X 7.4% DIPA
Mad Squirrel’s X X is a bold and vibrant Double IPA brewed in celebration of the brewery’s 20th anniversary. With a 7.4% ABV, it delivers an intense hop profile without being overly heavy. The beer pours a deep, hazy golden amber with a thick, creamy head that lingers. On the nose, X X greets you with an enticing blend of tropical fruit, pine, and citrus, with aromas of pineapple, mango, and grapefruit. The first sip brings a burst of tropical fruit flavours, including passionfruit and citrus, layered with piney bitterness and a smooth malt backbone that provides balance. The finish is crisp and clean, with a lingering hop bitterness that invites another sip.
Interesting Fact: X X is crafted with a blend of Simcoe Cryo, Citra, and Mosaic hops, which are known for their ability to impart vibrant tropical fruit and citrus flavours. The use of Simcoe Cryo hops intensifies the fruitiness and piney characteristics, creating a beer that’s rich in hop aroma and flavour. This DIPA is a celebration of two decades of brewing excellence by Mad Squirrel, showcasing their mastery of hop-forward beers.
Pairing Suggestions: X X is perfect with dishes that are bold and full of flavour. Pair it with a spicy barbecue, like smoky pulled pork or grilled ribs, where the beer’s bitterness complements the richness of the meat. It also works beautifully with a sharp cheese like aged cheddar or a creamy blue cheese, where the beer’s hop bitterness balances the richness of the cheese. For dessert, try it with a tropical fruit salad or a mango sorbet, where the beer’s fruity character enhances the natural sweetness of the fruit.