Elusive Double Oregon Trail DIPA 8.0%
Elusive’s Double Oregon Trail DIPA is a celebration of classic West Coast IPA flavours, amplified with the strength and intensity of a double IPA. At 8.0% ABV, this beer packs a punch, delivering resinous piney bitterness balanced by bright citrus notes. The prominent hops—Simcoe, Chinook, and Columbus—impart earthy pine and citrus flavours that are typical of the West Coast style, but with an added depth of resinous complexity. The malt profile, which leans towards light caramel, offers a subtle sweetness that helps temper the bitterness, resulting in a smooth yet bold flavour profile. The body of the beer is clean, with a slight sweetness, making it a drink that’s both intense and well-balanced, ideal for fans of strong hop-forward beers.
Interesting Fact: The West Coast Double IPA style is known for its bold hop character, especially its piney and resinous qualities. The combination of Simcoe, Chinook, and Columbus hops is a nod to traditional West Coast brewing, where these hops are used to create a beer that showcases the best of citrus and pine with a clean, bitter finish. Elusive’s decision to double the strength of this brew elevates these classic characteristics, creating a beer that’s both a tribute to the style and a step forward in terms of hop intensity.
Food Pairings: Double Oregon Trail DIPA pairs perfectly with grilled meats, particularly smoky barbecue dishes like ribs or pulled pork, where the beer’s bitterness balances the richness of the meat. It also works wonderfully with spicy dishes, such as a hot buffalo chicken sandwich or a curry, where the bitterness of the hops contrasts with the heat of the spices. For a more indulgent pairing, try it with a sharp blue cheese, where the beer’s bitterness and piney notes will cut through the richness of the cheese, creating a satisfying balance.
Burnt Mill Rising Up West Coast DIPA 8.0%
Burnt Mill’s Rising Up West Coast DIPA is another 8.0% ABV powerhouse that brings together tropical fruit notes and classic West Coast bitterness in a bold and balanced brew. The beer features Citra, Comet, and Eclipse hops, which create a tropical mash of citrus fruits, complemented by the piney, resinous bitterness that defines the West Coast style. The addition of Columbus hops adds depth, enhancing the citrusy pine character and rounding out the beer with a well-structured bitterness. The malt bill is carefully balanced to support the hops without overwhelming the palate, allowing the tropical fruit flavours to shine through while maintaining the beer’s crisp finish.
Interesting Fact: The collaboration with a diverse group of women behind the scenes of Burnt Mill Brewing reflects the brewery’s commitment to inclusivity and community within the beer industry. The use of hops like Citra and Comet, known for their tropical and citrus-forward flavours, emphasizes Burnt Mill’s dedication to crafting bold, hop-driven beers. This West Coast DIPA brings a fresh take on the style while maintaining the classic piney bitterness that fans of the genre love.
Food Pairings: Rising Up pairs excellently with tropical-inspired dishes, such as grilled shrimp with a pineapple salsa or a mango-glazed chicken. The bitterness of the beer also complements the richness of chargrilled meats, particularly a smoky steak or barbecued chicken. For a more adventurous pairing, try it with a spicy fish taco, where the heat of the salsa and the beer’s bitterness work in harmony. The tropical fruit notes also make it a great match for a fruit-based dessert, such as a lemon meringue pie, where the beer’s citrus flavours enhance the zesty tang of the dessert.
Two Flints Big Jack DIPA 8.0%
Two Flints’ Big Jack DIPA is a full-bodied and intense beer that delivers an explosion of dank tropical flavours, with an ABV of 8.0%. Using a blend of Nelson Sauvin, Clayton, Mosaic, and Spectrum hops, Big Jack offers a complex aroma profile of white wine, papaya, and overripe mango, underpinned by a subtle grassy and piney finish. The combination of these hops gives the beer a tropical fruit-forward character that’s balanced by a mild bitterness, making it rich without being overwhelming. The malt base supports the hops with a smooth backbone, ensuring that the intense hop flavours take centre stage without any distractions.
Interesting Fact: The use of Nelson Sauvin, a hop known for its distinctive white wine and gooseberry flavours, brings a unique twist to the DIPA style. When paired with hops like Mosaic and Spectrum, which bring tropical fruit flavours such as papaya and mango, Big Jack delivers a depth of flavour that’s both rich and complex. The addition of Clayton hops, another New Zealand variety, enhances the herbal and piney finish, creating a well-rounded beer that showcases the best of modern hop innovation.
Food Pairings: Big Jack DIPA is perfect for pairing with bold, rich foods. Try it with a spicy barbecue brisket or grilled pork belly, where the beer’s bitterness helps balance the richness of the meat. The tropical fruit flavours also make it an excellent match for a coconut curry or spicy Thai noodles, where the beer’s juicy sweetness contrasts with the heat of the dish. For a more indulgent pairing, enjoy it with a creamy brie cheese or a blue cheese, where the beer’s bitterness cuts through the richness of the cheese, providing a satisfying balance.
Unbarred Dank Juice Hazy IPA 7.0%
Unbarred’s Dank Juice Hazy IPA is a cult classic, packed with dank, chewy hops that deliver an aromatic and flavour-packed experience. At 7.0% ABV, it’s a hazy IPA that’s triple dry-hopped with Cashmere, Chinook, Citra, and Mosaic hops, which result in a beer full of grassy dankness, stone fruit, citrus, and pine aromas. The flavour profile is equally complex, with ripe papaya, stone fruit, gooseberry, and subtle melon notes coating the palate. The body is soft and smooth, with a juicy mouthfeel that lingers, followed by a lingering herbal dankness that enhances the overall experience.
Interesting Fact: The term "dank" is often used in brewing to describe beers with intense hop aromas and flavours, particularly those that have earthy, herbal, and resinous characteristics. Unbarred’s use of a combination of hops like Cashmere and Chinook, known for their dank and piney profiles, makes Dank Juice a true representation of the style. The beer’s soft, smooth mouthfeel is the perfect base for these big hop flavours, making it a favourite among hazy IPA enthusiasts.
Food Pairings: Dank Juice pairs wonderfully with bold, flavourful dishes. Try it with a spicy chili or jalapeño poppers, where the beer’s bitterness complements the heat of the dish. It also works well with a chargrilled steak, where the beer’s piney and dank notes cut through the richness of the meat. For a lighter pairing, enjoy it with a goat cheese salad or a seafood ceviche, where the beer’s tropical fruit flavours will enhance the freshness of the ingredients.
Pretty Decent Chipmunk Disco DIPA 8.5%
Pretty Decent’s Chipmunk Disco DIPA is a dance-worthy beer with an 8.5% ABV that combines bold hop flavours with a smooth, balanced finish. Brewed with Citra, Motueka, and Nelson Sauvin hops, this DIPA is bursting with tropical fruit flavours like passionfruit, tangerine, and sweet berries. The malt body is smooth and slightly sweet, providing a foundation that supports the intense hop flavours without overwhelming the palate. The beer finishes clean, with a slight bitterness that enhances the overall experience, making it a perfect choice for those who love big, fruit-forward beers.
Interesting Fact: The use of Nelson Sauvin hops in Chipmunk Disco DIPA adds a unique dimension to the beer’s flavour profile, bringing out tropical and white wine-like characteristics. When combined with Citra and Motueka hops, known for their citrus and tropical fruit flavours, the beer becomes a vibrant and exciting experience. The use of these three hops showcases the complexity and innovation of modern hop varieties, creating a beer that’s both bold and balanced.
Food Pairings: Chipmunk Disco pairs excellently with tropical-inspired dishes, such as grilled shrimp with a mango salsa or a coconut curry. The beer’s fruit-forward character also makes it a great match for a fruit-based dessert, like a pavlova or a tropical fruit salad, where the beer’s passionfruit and berry notes will complement the sweetness of the dish. For a savoury pairing, try it with a grilled chicken burger or a charred steak, where the beer’s clean finish and slight bitterness will balance the richness of the meat.
Cloudwater Proper DIPA: Riwaka DIPA 8.0%
Cloudwater’s Proper DIPA: Riwaka is a hazy, dank double IPA that brings the best of New Zealand-grown hops to the forefront. Brewed with Riwaka hops, known for their bold tropical fruit character, this 8.0% ABV DIPA is bursting with flavours of passionfruit, citrus, and pine. The malt base is clean and balanced, allowing the hops to shine without overpowering the beer. The body is smooth and soft, with a juicy mouthfeel that complements the beer’s intense hop profile, making it an incredibly drinkable DIPA.
Interesting Fact: Riwaka hops, grown exclusively in New Zealand, are prized for their intense tropical fruit flavours, which include passionfruit, guava, and citrus. This hop variety is known for its high oil content, which contributes to the beer’s bold aroma and rich flavour. Cloudwater’s use of Riwaka in this DIPA highlights the hop’s unique characteristics, making this beer a true representation of the best that New Zealand hops have to offer.
Food Pairings: Proper DIPA pairs beautifully with tropical-inspired dishes, such as grilled pineapple and shrimp skewers or a mango salsa chicken. It also works well with a spicy fish curry, where the beer’s citrusy and tropical notes will complement the richness of the sauce. For a more indulgent pairing, try it with a creamy blue cheese, where the beer’s bitterness will cut through the richness of the cheese, providing a satisfying balance.
Polly's x Pomona Island 7th Birthday TIPA Triple IPA 10.0%
Polly’s x Pomona Island’s 7th Birthday TIPA is a celebration of bold hop flavours and big beer-making. This 10.0% ABV triple IPA is brewed with a combination of Mosaic, Citra, Talus, and Strata hops, creating a massive flavour profile with tropical fruit, tangerine, sweet berries, and a hint of coconut. The beer’s body is full and rich, with a smooth mouthfeel that allows the intense hop flavours to shine. Despite the high ABV, the beer remains balanced, with a clean finish that avoids the cloying sweetness often associated with triple IPAs.
Interesting Fact: This collaboration marks the 7th birthday of Pomona Island, a brewery known for pushing the boundaries of beer-making with bold and innovative brews. The use of four different hops in this TIPA creates a complex, layered beer that showcases the best of modern hop varieties. The addition of passionfruit, tangerine, and coconut adds depth and complexity, making this a beer that’s both rich and refreshing.
Food Pairings: The 7th Birthday TIPA is a perfect match for bold, rich dishes. Try it with a spicy barbecue brisket or a charred steak, where the beer’s fruitiness and bitterness will balance the richness of the meat. It also works wonderfully with creamy cheeses like brie or goat cheese, where the beer’s smooth body complements the richness of the cheese. For a more indulgent pairing, enjoy it with a tropical fruit tart, where the beer’s passionfruit and coconut notes will enhance the sweetness of the dessert.
Bullhouse Yer Ma 8.0% DIPA
Bullhouse’s Yer Ma Double IPA is a bold and juicy brew with an ABV of 8.0%, bringing together a perfect balance of sweetness and hop intensity. This DIPA bursts with tropical fruit flavors, making it the ideal choice for those who appreciate juicy, hop-driven beers. The malt base, made from pale malt, oats, and wheat, provides a soft, smooth foundation, giving the beer a velvety mouthfeel that supports the bold hop profile. The hops—Citra, Strata, and Talus—impart intense tropical fruit aromas, with Citra contributing vibrant citrus notes, Strata adding passionfruit and pine, and Talus providing a subtle earthy, floral finish. Together, these hops create a harmonious combination that is both big and refreshing, making this DIPA a standout choice for hop lovers.
Interesting Fact: The use of Strata hops in Yer Ma brings a new level of depth to the beer. Strata is a relatively new hop variety known for its unique flavor profile that includes tropical fruit, cannabis, and earthy pine notes, making it a perfect complement to Citra and Talus hops. This hop combination creates a complex, layered beer that is both fruity and aromatic, with just the right amount of bitterness to balance the sweetness from the malt. The name Yer Ma adds a touch of humor and warmth, making it a perfect beer to share with friends or family, as the brewery suggests.
Food Pairings: Yer Ma DIPA pairs excellently with rich, flavorful foods. Try it with grilled meats like a juicy steak or charred lamb chops, where the beer’s tropical fruit and citrus notes complement the savory richness of the meat. The beer’s sweetness also makes it a great match for spicy dishes, such as spicy Thai curry or hot wings, where the bitterness of the hops contrasts with the heat of the dish. For a more indulgent pairing, enjoy it with a creamy cheese like brie or camembert, where the beer’s smooth mouthfeel balances the richness of the cheese. If you're in the mood for dessert, a fruit-forward option like a passionfruit cheesecake would highlight the beer’s tropical fruit flavors beautifully.