With warm weather and clear skies over California we’ve been doing some star gazing recently, so it was only natural that we pour ourselves a glass of Blue Frog Grog and Grill’s Big DIPA 3. While the stars that make up the Big Dipper constellation are said to represent a large ladle, the letters that make up the Big DIPA represent the style of beer: Double India Pale Ale. This style of beer sees your traditional IPA and raises you tongue busting hop flavors and speech slurring ABV.
Appearance
The beer is crystal clear and golden in color with a slight copper tinge. A single finger head forms and then, like soccer’s popularity in the US, vanishes before your eyes.
Smell
Sweet and bright smelling; a bouquet of fruits rises from the glass. Aromas of green apple, pears, and peaches assault the nose. Traces of pine float around in the background foreshadowing the bitterness that is about to assault the tongue.
Taste
105 IBUs says it all. Sharp bitterness dominates the flavor profile with yeasty flavors coming in second and pear and citrus notes struggling to keep up. A long bitter finish sets up camp on the sides of the tongue reminiscent of an unwelcome squatter.
Mouthfeel
Light bodied and lightly carbonated. Thin and watery in the mouth.
Drinkability
This beer is wonderful in the nose but somewhat dissapointing in the mouth. The huge hop flavors seem to be inflated for the sake of inflation and not to add to the beer. This leads to an unbalanced beer with rough bitter notes. Overall grade for The Big DIPA 3: C
The Big DIPA 3
Up next on Tuesday Tastings: 1 Door Flemish Style Sour