Spinal Tapper

Spinal Tapper by Right Brain Brewery is a Double IPA, judged as a 22A Double IPA. While a well-made beer, it misses the mark in terms of balance and, quite frankly, hop character. The nose is fairly bright, if subdued, with citrus, pear and lemongrass at the forefront, followed by a somewhat sticky caramel note. Not as hop forward as one would hope for a DIPA. Slight resin and dank qualities come through as well. Alcohol is restrained and a bit of earth and onion creeps in as well. It's a lightly hazed golden orange in the glass with a persistent and white frothy head. On tasting, it is intensely bitter, from the beginning to the finish, falling just short of harsh but not very pleasant either. Hop flavor is much lower than expected and almost old-school citrusy and slightly dank. Bitter orange marmalade is my first thought. Sticky and somewhat sweet (though kept in check by the intense bitterness) clashes as well. Light ethanol on the finish, along with grass. Medium-plus bodied and slightly warming with medium carbonation. Moderate hop astringency only accentuates the bitterness. Overall, clean and dry, but needs more hop aroma and flavor and a more even bitterness to hit the style well.