Double Jack Imperial IPA Release Party Supplemental

“Supplemental” is kind of a silly word to use to title a blog post but I’m not sure what else to call this. You see, I’ve already devoted quite a few words to the Double Jack Imperial IPA release party at Toronado over at the Beer Connoisseur. You can see the post here. Sure, I did put in a lot of work on that blog post but I didn’t want to just reuse existing material. That would be lazy. At the same time, I didn’t want this blog, my original blog, to suffer because I’m contributing someplace else.

So I came up with the idea of the “supplemental”. Because this is my own personal blog, I am free to write how I like, when I like, about what I like. If I attend an event I am writing about for Beer Connoisseur, you can expect a more formal post there. Here though, you’ll get the “behind the scenes” stuff. Well, as “behind the scenes” as I can get it anyway. If you can think of another word or phrase besides “supplemental”, I’m all ears.

Unlike other Toronado release parties, Sammy and I drove up with a third: BJCP Grandmaster Judge John Watson. In the short time that we’ve known him, John has become a friend not only to the blog but to us. So when he asked us for a ride up, there was no hesitation.

When we finally arrived at Toronado, it was full as always. Not Barleywine Festival full but full nonetheless. Luckily the three of us are able to find a little piece of Toronado to stand around and call our own for the time that we’re there. Once some real estate opens up, you’d best get on it as people tend to linger around the bar for hours at a time.

Looking around, I was able to see a lot of familiar faces. There was Jesse from Beer & Nosh, Mike “Tasty” McDole, Randy Griggs (EJ Phair/More Beer Homebrew Stores), Nicole (The Trappist), Justin Crossley (The Brewing Network) and our newest friend, Gabi (21st Amendment). At one point, I look over my shoulder and there’s a mini-brewer summit happening with Matt Brynildson (Firestone Walker), Arne Johnson (Marin Brewing) and Sean O’Sullivan (21st Amendment). The Beer Chef, Bruce Paton, was also on hand to discuss a future event with Matt.

On a slight tangent, Bruce Paton actually remembered my name… mine and Sammy’s actually. I’ve only seen him a few times around the various beer events and you can count the total number of minutes we’ve actually spoken on one hand. So I was thoroughly surprised when he remembered who I was. While I am an admirer of his work with the beer dinners, embarassingly, I have yet to attended one. Either he’s been reading this blog and found me somewhat interesting or I’ve written something to piss him off. In either case, having someone you respect know who you are is pretty cool.

I was surprised to learn that Gabi from 21st Amendment reads this blog. Even though I have Google Analytics installed on this blog, the numbers I get are anonymous and I have no idea who’s actually reading. It’s always cool to meet my readers face to face. I’m always down to meet with new people, have a few beers with them and hear what they have to say about beer, the blog and life in general. It makes me feel good to know that what I write and post doesn’t go unnoticed.

But what about the beer? I guess I can’t escape the “copy” and “paste” thing afterall. Here are my notes from the Beer Connoisseur blog:

Double Jack Imperial IPA, Firestone Walker, 10% ABV, 100+ IBU

Double Jack is a well balanced and crafted beer. There’s a rich, malt flavor that has caramel notes and some toasted bread character that is tempered by an assertive hop bite that is neither harsh or long lasting. The hop flavor has piney and citrus notes and is pungent on the nose. The aroma is similar in character to the flavor of the beer but more subdued. Double Jack wasn’t as aromatic as i thought it would’ve been. This is a ridiculously smooth and easy drinking beer that hides it’s alcohol well. Double Jack is medium/medium-full in body with medium-high carbonation.

Available only on draft at some of the finer beer bars, this beer won’t last long and I would recommend you try a pint of this while there are still pints to try.

Pale 31, Firestone Walker, 4.5% ABV (approximately), Cask-Conditioned

While this beer is widely distributed and available at many locations, you’d be hard pressed to find the cask-conditioned version of this beer. Pale 31 has a huge hop nose coming off the beer that is bright, citrusy and piney. Like the Double Jack, this beer is balanced for the style. The malt flavor is sweet with caramel notes while the hops have a piney/citrusy flavor and a smooth, hop bitterness. Pale 31 is a medium-low/medium bodied beer with low carbonation (as is common for the practice).

Duvel Green, Duvel, 6.8% ABV

Duvel Green, also known as Duvel Draft, is essentially the same beer as regular Duvel. The main difference is that Green is not refermented in the bottle, it is filtered and kegged.

Duvel Green is brilliantly clear, gold in color with a dense, foam-like, white head. The aroma is definitely yeast driven; i can smell hints of pears, slight peach, slight apricot with a mild spicy phenolic note as well. The flavor is malty sweet, pils-like with a low/medium-low hop bitterness. The fruit esters in the aroma are echoed in the flavor albeit subtly. Green is medium-bodied with high carbonation. The beer has a slight crispness to it.

If you’re a big fan of Duvel, you’ll definitely enjoy Duvel Green. As with all the beers I will review, I encourage you to drink them and come to your own conclusions.

Not much else to write about. I missed my opportunity to interview Matt Brynildson because I was too busy drinking his beer and hanging out with friends. Such roadblocks often present themselves whenever beer is involved. As much as I would love to do more “in-depth” coverage, this is something I do for fun. If people write to me and ask that I get more “in-depth” stuff, I’ll do my best to oblige. Until then, enjoy the rest of the pics from the evening.

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