New Zealand produces a profound number of beautiful IPAs, but if you keep hunting out bigger and better, the trail will inevitably lead into the realm of Double IPA.
Double IPA also called Imperial IPA is, at its most basic, just that. Twice the malt and twice the hops for the same glass of beer, resulting in a powerfully flavourful (and powerfully strong) drop. In practice it gets a bit more complicated, as ratios don’t scale so linearly as beer is brewed stronger. In fact the quantity of hops usually ends up well in excess of double
in many cases.
These vastly hop dependent beers are exceptionally vulnerable to age and poor storage conditions, so always check the best before (or even better, the brewing date) and avoid anything that’s getting long in the tooth, and if a can or bottle isn’t being stored under chill then stay away. With quality control taken care of, here are a few of my recommendations that are available year round.
8 WIRED: Hopwired 7.3%abv
Hopwired is a legendary IPA in its own right, showing just how far New Zealand hops could be pushed way back in 2009. Including it here is maybe more of an honourable mention as it only refers to itself as mere single. But at a full 7.3%abv, it’s actually stronger than a few other self-stated double IPA’s out there.
GARAGE PROJECT: Pernicious
Weed 8.0%abv
Another New Zealand hopped classic that unleashes the pungent gooseberry and passionfruit character of Nelson Sauvin hops. Keep an eye out for a rare version that appears after the yuzu harvest (usually around June) that’s between brewed with the peel of this exotic citrus, giving it extra lift and an exceptional sharp kick.
BEHEMOTH: Hops 8.0%abv
Behemoth understands IPA. Their number of one-off releases must be well over a hundred at this point. But they also understand the value of sticking to the basics. For this they have Hops, which very much does what it says on the can. What sets this one apart is the fact that it’s sold in a six pack, which makes it the most affordable of its kind on the market.
EPIC: Hop Zombie 8.5%abv
Epic have always been pioneers in the use of American hops, and it’s those firm flavours of pine resin and grapefruit that drive this long running release. If I’m in the mood for strong IPA but I’m not feeling choosey, it’s Hop Zombie’s iconic red skull that I’ll often find myself reaching for. Also available in a four pack, albeit a pricey one.
LIBERTY: Citra 9.0%abv
A striking showcase of the rockstar American hop that it’s named after, Citra is a lemon and grapefruit driven belter of an IPA, and a true double at a whopping 9%abv. It’s significant malt richness is balanced by a massively bitter bite, measured at 99 international bitterness units (or IBUs). Heineken, as a point of comparison, clocks in at 19 IBUs.
Tim Newman – hoppiness.co.nz
