#246: Dark Horse Brewing Co. » Double Crooked Tree (IPA)

Dark Horse Brewing Co. » Double Crooked Tree (IPA)
ABV: 12% | Rating: 9.3

Aptly names, this DIPA is a double version of Dark Horse's Crooked Tree offering. Only my third Dark Horse, having nearly missed Smell Like A Safety Meeting, I've jumped on to make sure I get a bit broader view of their offerings.

Double Crooked Tree pours up with a deep, amber body and thick, staying, head of lace. The nose is impeccable - sweet raisin, cane sugar, caramel, coconut... a damn fine and potent collection of aromas.

Down the hatch it's barelywine characteristics up front quickly followed by a chili-hot DIPA - WOW. There's tons of hop heat on the finish here.

A sipper of a beer for sure. Rich, buttery mouthfeel, complex and huge the whole way through with charcoal notes in the finish; all wrapped up spicy and dry.

Overall, a heck of an IPA that holds its own amongst the big-ABV IPAs and recommended for the big-beer fans.

After some time between my first Dark Horse and these last two, I've surely discovered what all the buzz is about. I personally was a bit more struck with the unique palate of Smells Like A Safety Meeting, but my bet sees this DCT as a more widely-cheered brew.

#245: Dark Horse Brewing Co. » Smells Like A Safety Meeting (IPA)

Dark Horse Brewing Co. » Smells Like A Safety Meeting (IPA)
ABV: 8.5% | Rating: 9.3

I picked up a handful of single bottles from the newly expanded Fingerlakes Beverage Center that hadn't yet checked out this spring / summer that we'll run through this week, starting with Dark Horse's curiously monikered, 4/20 release.

Smells Like A Safety Meeting arrives with an amber-coffee colored body topped with a tuft of lacy, ivory head. Huge hop aromas permeate even before the pour is finished. Sticky fumes of resin, raisin, toffee, tangerine, and honey follow upon a closer whiff.

A strong, unique burst of flavors drops onto the palate - like a barelywine-meets-IPA. Dank notes of pine and sap with a curious flavor that follows all the way to the throat... we'll find it.

It's herbal, sticky up front and devilishly dry on the finish. Upon further discussion, grilled rum-pineapple is the flavor we pull out further out which seeps through slightly charred and burnt sugar notes.

Overall, a unique, high-power, hop-tastic brew that's a few clicks shy of sane. Recommended.

Coming Soon...

#146: Dark Horse » Crooked Tree IPA

My first Dark Horse...

The Brewery: Dark Horse Brewing Co. (Marshall, MI)
The Brew: Crooked Tree IPA
Availability: 6-pack, draft
ABV: 6%
Rating: 9/10
Location: The Westy

The Story? I popped down to The Westy for Draft Night after round two of Man vs. Boiler was a favorable success. I'm usually excited for Draft Night regardless (New England's Galaxy was still on too), but a shot at a Rate Beer Bros 100 beer from a brewery I haven't sampled anything from yet, is even more cause for commotion.

The Beer? Crooked Tree kicks off with a thick, lacy white head over a hazy, amber-orange body. Plenty inviting with swirling grapefruit, pine, and floral nose.

First sip yields smooth carbonation and a big staying bitterness. Rich, drying hop flavors of grapefruit pith and rind dominate with a chewy mouthfeel. Hints of tangerine join the cast as well with a solid earthiness that keeps the fruit flavors in check.

Despite the burly, West-Coast bitterness and initial chewiness of the mouthfeel, this one drinks far faster than expected. There's a bit of a juicy nature to it halfway through as it hits stride, while never loosing it's pine and resin fueled lengthy finish.

Overall, hop-head - put this one on your radar for sure. Anyone else, proceed with caution.