I love the craft beers that are coming out of this place. Almost every brew is made using lager yeast in a marvellous way. This Double India Pale Lager or as it is called, India Double Extra Pale Lager showcases some wonderful hop flavours with a great balance.
“…a talented brewer.”
I.X.X.P.L. des Prairies
Brewed by: Maltstrom
Type: Double India Pale Lager
Region: Notre-Dame-Des-Prairies, Quebec, Canada
ABV: 8.6%
IBU: 45
Hops: Motueka, Amarillo, Galaxy, Citra
Cereals: Pilsner, unmalted Wheat, Others used as aromatics
Appearance: 10/10
The beer comes in a tall can which is, in my opinion, the best vessel to hold hoppy drinks since it’s completely protected from light & well preserved from oxygen. This means no skunky odours as well as minimal oxidation. The label gives the essentials to buy consciously with information on the ingredients & the flavour profile. A production date is printed on the bottom of the can, a nice thought since hop-forward beers like this one degrades at a fast pace, so you want to drink it as fresh as possible. Once poured the liquid appears as an amber with a moderate haze. The head is white, perfectly fluffy & lasts for a few minutes, an impressive feature for this range of ABV.
Nose: 13.5/15
A strong bouquet of tropical fruits is coming out of the glass. Among it, there is ripe pineapple, passion fruit, fleshy peaches & a whisper of juicy mangoes. Citrus are also present giving hints of freshly squeezed oranges & limes as well as grapefruit peel. On another side of the spectrum there is a pine resin aroma which brings a nice depth & supports the tropical notes. The 8.6% obviously imparts ethanol to the nose although it comes out in a warm & delicate way. This lager really delivers some clear hop fragrance which makes up a lovely bouquet.
Mouth: 13.5/15
The tropical fruits come out warmer & riper on the palate delivering a sensation of sweet nectar. The sharp citrus & piney notes bring some freshness to it which balances out the fruitiness. A strong bitter taste makes it way at the first sip & stays through the entire can giving a crisp feeling supported by a surprising effervescence. The body is a medium-full, the alcohol adding a little weight on the tongue & almost no residual sugars are noticed, something quite uncommon for a Double India Pale Lager. A faint grainy note appears mid-palate showcasing a bit of the cereals used, a feature that most of the IPAs nowadays often overlook.
Finish: 8/10
The finish is of a medium length leaving some spicy notes along with citrus & pine resin. The bitterness lasts forever making you thirsty for another sip as the sweetness of the fruits fades away.
Overall: 90/100
One of the few DIPLs I’ve had the chance to try & made me see that even if ale are the most popular choice, lager yeasts can make wonderful craft beers when handled by a talented brewer.
3-word Description:
Tropical, Resiny & Bitter.
The Reference
More information @maltstrom.com
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