OG Cascade by Wild Leap Brew Co. is being evaluated as a Double IPA (Category 22A) according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines.
This beer pours a golden color with cloudy clarity with a fleeting head of fine white bubbles which leaves a thin layer and ring around the glass. The aroma is dominated with a moderate tangerine note and low spice with a moderate-high minerality. A low general sweetness from the malt is noticeable but malt character stops there. Fermentation profile appears to be clean in the aroma. The flavor consists of a neutral malt sweetness of moderate intensity which is quickly followed by a moderate flavor of tangerine, orange rind, and low piney hop flavors with medium bitterness. The predominate citrus notes of the beer interplay with the malt sweetness and give a perceived “candied orange” flavor. The minerality noted in the aroma also manifest in the flavor and help ground out the malt sweetness along with the bitterness. Similar to the aroma, any fermentation character is lost to the flavor profile of the hops. The balance, though sweet, favors the hop bitterness and minerality. The finish is moderately dry and a sublime hop flavor interplays with the malt character and leaves an overall soft impression in the mouth with a lingering low spicy note. This beer is a medium bodied beer with medium carbonation. There is a medium-low alcohol warmth which appears to be driven and aided by the bitterness. A moderate creaminess is apparent and has a “fluffy” texture. There is no hop astringency in this beer and suggests a well-executed usage of hop scheduling and dry hoping. Overall, this is an easy drinking beer which is much tamer than many of the “in your face” Double IPA’s currently on the market. The single hop usage does slightly detract from the hop complexity the Double IPA style is known for with the overall flavor profile being reminiscent somewhere between a sessionable IPA and a standard IPA but with a notable alcohol presence reminding you where this beer stands. I believe this would be a great Double IPA to pair with a nice smoked brisket as the strength of the beer will stand up to the smoke and the alcohol will help cut through the fat without overpowering the dish.