Top 100 Beers of 2021

#9

96
Kiwi Double IPA
Lawson's Finest Liquids

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CEO & Founding Brewer Sean Lawson Talks Kiwi Double IPA

Who was responsible for this beer’s recipe?
I created the recipe for Kiwi Double IPA at our original brewery in Warren, VT. We now use that brewery for research and development as well as special projects. Thanks to the creativity of our fantastic brewing team, the beer has evolved slightly from the original recipe by the addition of a third variety of hops from the southern hemisphere. For this brew, we wanted to feature the unique flavor profiles and terroir of hops from New Zealand, hence the name “Kiwi.”

What sets this beer apart from other examples within the style?
New Zealand IPAs are known to have a distinct character that is hard to describe. We selected several hop varieties with striking tropical fruit and floral flavors to create the brew. What sets Kiwi Double IPA apart is the balance between two unique types of New Zealand-grown hops – a vinous, white grape-like character of Nelson Sauvin hops combined with Pacific Jade hops that bring both citrus rind and earthy, herbal qualities. The fruity aromas and flavors that you get from the Nelson Sauvin play so nicely with the spicy and floral qualities of the Pacific Jade. It’s a combination that produces a truly unique beer.

Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
Incredibly smooth, vinous, white grape, tangerine, herbal, peppery, unique terroir.

Is this your “desert island beer?”
No, it’s a bit too high-ABV for extended “desert island” sipping!

Do you know a story – or have a personal story – that revolves around this beer?
This beer shares part of its name with a brew from Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers in Massachusetts called “Kiwi Rising.” It’s a delicious India pale lager that features a similar southern hemisphere character and is named for the New Zealand hops used in making the beer. When I realized that we had named our beer so similarly, I gave a call to Jack Hender (one of the trio of brothers that founded Jack’s Abby) to inquire if it was OK that we named our beer “Kiwi” and he said “no problem.” So of course, I sent him some beer to say thanks.

Judge’s Second Opinion

Lawson’s Finest Liquids’ Kiwi, a double IPA, is a great showcase for New Zealand hops, and has such an impressive hop quotient in it that it’s quite hazy – but the hops are all about the flavor and aroma, with just enough bitterness to balance things out beautifully. Pour this hazy deep gold beer with a large, ivory-colored, poofy head into a tulip glass to fully appreciate its stunning visual appearance. The head sticks around for quite a while, and as you drink the beer, it leaves lacing on the glass.

The alcohol, at 8%, is very clean and hides nicely behind the big hop flavor and aroma. There’s a bit of freshly baked bread and crackery malt to present the hops, but the hops are the star of the show. This beer is made with Nelson Sauvin and Pacific Jade hops. Nelson Sauvin New Zealand hops, released in 2000, provide this beer with a dry white wine character along with a bit of passion fruit and moderate gooseberry notes that remind me of gooseberry bushes in Kansas. Nelson Sauvin hops are a triploid hop – this is a technique of crossing hop varietals that produces desired characteristics and no seeds – a method that New Zealanders pioneered for hops in the 1970s. Pacific Jade hops, released in 2004, are a cross that includes the Saaz noble hop, which produces a smooth bittering, with the flavor coming across as lemony citrus and black peppery, both of which are abundant in this beer. Notes of tangerine are present too.

This beer is well constructed with lots of hops, alcohol and a bit of malt, but all working harmoniously to produce a beer that has that elusive magic quality.

Kiwi is a seasonal beer with wonderful New Zealand hop flavors and aromas as well as excellent balance. It is a beer that you should seek out and purchase to drink and to share with your beer geek friends – try this one out on a light lager drinker to blow their minds! – Nelson Crowle