Arcadia Hopmouth Double IPA

Arcadia Ales
Battle Creek, MI

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Nice light brown/copper color, slight haze. Steady stream of bubbles, head rings the glass.

AROMA: 3/4
Sharp citrus, piney hop aroma. Bready, nutty malt. Sweet, hop aroma is dominant.

TASTE: 5.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.25/4: Hop flavor up-front, bitterness throughout. Very woody, malty sweetness at start, but bitterness is overwhelming.
Aftertaste: 1.75/3: Bitter, metallic tang. Flavor fades quickly but bitterness lingers.
Mouth-Feel: 1.75/3: Alcohol is noticeable, coats the tongue.

OVERALL: 1.75/3: Requires more body to offset hop bitterness. We like bitterness, absolutely, but this just isn't big enough.

TOTAL: 12.75/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Harsh, forgettable. Any flavor fades too quickly even to note. Disappointing.
Ben: Weak, needs more body given the bitterness. Not nearly enough oomph for a double IPA.