Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA - A Microbrew for Hop Lovers

I tried another of my mix and match six pack purchased from a local bottle store tonight. Yesterday, you might recall my displeasure with my selection of the day (the Samuel Adams Cranberry Lambic). But today, it's an entirely different story. Enter Weyerbacher's Double Simcoe IPA.

I've sampled multiple IPA's and DIPA's over my time (that's India Pale Ale and Double India Pale Ale) and this recent example is one of the best, at least of those that I've tried. First off, just opening the bottle and giving it a whiff from only about 6 inches away gave off that powerful piney scent indicative of most quality IPA's. The aroma was one of the strongest I've experienced and only increased with the pour into a standard 16 ounce pint glass.

Secondly, the frothy head on this beer is amazing. Simply amazing. This is root beer float type stuff here. My timid pour resulted in a three-finger head lasting about five minutes and then ever so slightly dwindling to two permanently. The head lasted for the entire serving and left extreme clinging lace all the way from the top of my glass. It'll probably still be there in the morning unless I rinse it out.

The color is nothing overly spectacular compared to other IPA's I've examined. Witnessed was a bright, yet murky coppery/orange color that is respectable yet unremarkable as far as appearance goes. Carbonation levels very high with what seemed like hundreds of small bubble parades surfacing from the depths.

The best part is the taste though. Piney. Very, very piney, yet being a double, the malt background gives just enough of a countering punch to this microbrew to offset the power of those massively prevalent hops. A sweet enough finish to balance it out without going overboard and making it too sticky on the palette and too heavy in the mouth.

My Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA was experienced over the course of about 40 pleasurable minutes. This is a sipper in my opinion and is definitely one to be savored (ie. not a tailgating beer). In fact, with tomorrow being Thanksgiving, I could see myself enjoying one of these maybe an hour or so after my turkey dinner. Too bad I only bought one though. Oh well.

Here's the long and short of it all. I really enjoyed this microbrew. It is not cheap however. I purchased my single bottle for $3.50 and have seen a case at my local distributor at $45.00. I'd thought about buying a case of 24 but definitely wanted to sample it first. Test passed. A+ but I still need to come up with the cash now to go full bore. If you can get your hands on one in your area (and you like double IPA's or at least IPA's) I would certainly recommend trying it. It's rather a rare find too even here in Pennsylvania where it is brewed being a very limited "seasonal" type offering (although I have heard that Weyerbacher has considered making this a year-round offering in their stable of fine elixirs). One other thing to note is this is a powerhouse of a beer and logs in at 9% ABV so please, don't go crazy if you do try this. One in a sitting is plenty, and at $45.00/case, you'll want to make it last as long as possible anyway, right?

Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA is no "turkey" folks. In fact, I'm deeming it an 8.25 out of 10.00 in my book of ratings. Go out and get it before it's gone! Happy Turkey Day!! Give thanks for microbrews!

You can check out more reviews of new microbrews and fun microbrew and craft beer related info at Microbrew Review or My Squidoo Lens. Check out Summer Microbrew too!