Oregon’s Double Mountain Brewery simply does not f#*% around when it comes to crafting their prized super-citrusy, mega-dank, hop-blasted beers. Maybe that’s why it took the brewmaster over a year of R&D to perfect the recipe for Hop Lion IPA, the newest in their year-round lineup that bursts with tropical fruit and earthy pine hop character.

A four-tiered hop bill of massive flavor proportions comprises this King of the Juicy Jungle: Mosaic brings musky-sweet papaya nectar; Citra delivers notes of luscious tangelo; Centennial contributes pine sap essence; and Simcoe supplies a hint of earthiness.

Aromas of crushed tropical fruits and Northwest petrichor drift from a copper-amber pour. Pineapple kush and jammy guava batter the palate, with evergreen hop tones and a sweet herbal quality prowling close behind. Using Kolsch yeast highlights the lush fruit flavors and creates a crisp, bright body among the grainy caramel malt character. Dank ripe mango pulp and blood orange juice round out Hop Lion’s mighty roar of verdant hoppy bitterness.

Double Mountain’s flagship IPAs are trusty standbys for Northwest hopheads, but Hop Lion’s silky tropical nectar could very well make it the new pride of their hop pack. We ain’t Lion!

Bottled On: 12/18/17