Long Trail Grows Up - BOMBERS!

The first time I had Long Trail was back in college, home for the summer, partying up in the woods behind my parents’ house (shh). One of my UVM-attending friends pulled a bottle of Double Bag out of his backpack and handed it to me; that was essentially my introduction to craft beer. So, Long Trail’s got a special spot in my heart.

Which explains why it was with some trepidation that I popped the cap on their new Brewmaster Series Double IPA - potential for  fallen heroes and whatnot. On the other hand, it’s good to see Long Trail moving into the bomber format, a format that suggests a more serious, sit-and-sip brew when compared to the hey-everybody-grab-one six pack. Slipping the key under the cap,  I’m holding my breath.

Not to worry. No disappointment here; in fact, this DIPA is one of the most compelling beers I’ve tried in a long, long time, as compared to its category or otherwise. Where most American IPAs go for over-the-top hoppiness and not much else, the hops in this bottle settle in nicely against a malty thickness that balances everything out. There’s bitterness still, of course, but it’s as if the bitterness is fighting uphill for prevalence on the tongue. The battle between the hops and the malts makes for an invigorating drinking experience.

Yeah, I said invigorating.

If you’ve liked Long Trail all along, or if you dig DIPAs, check this out. Actually, if you like beer, check it out. Long Trail takes steps in shutting up all the naysayers who claim Americans only know how to punch you in the face, beer-wise (uh, naysayers being a category that includes me - see the blurt on gulden draak just below. What? I’m an opportunist blogger. So?)

dJp

Tags: American beer, Brewmaster, Double Bag, double IPA, Long Trail, Vermont
Category: Beer Reviews, The Beer Blog | Comments (0)