Two Brothers Hop Juice

Brewed by Two Brothers Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Warrenville, Illinois USA

Clear amber body with a fluffy, white head. Hoppy nose of grapefruit and pine that dominates the nose but isn’t as intense as I would have expected. Some cereals and caramel layered underneath. The body is a bit thin and rather unimpressive. The flavor is probably the best part with the hops being more assertive and the malt being just sweet enough to remain interesting. I’m glad to see the brothers are trying to do some new stuff, but this isn’t that great. Hopefully another batch or two will iron out the wrinkles.

Orangey copper, beige head. aroma is resiny hops and graham cracker. Nice woodsy, hoppy flavors, with a crisp, crackery finish. Not to split hairs, but this seemed more a good session IPA than a doulbe IPA. Tasty nonetheless. Thanks to Springslicker for splitting this one.

A slightly hazy orange beer with a small orange head. The aroma is very hoppy and grassy, while the flavor is sweet hoppy - but a somewhat herbal hoppiness, that doesn’t quite do the trick for me. The mouthfeel is slightly sticky.

Dark golden ale with a thin off white head. Good hops in aroma, floral and resinous, but showing signs of oxidation. In mouth, good malt with alcohol warmth, simple and good. A decent I2PA. Bought in Chicago Nov. 2005. Sampled with Mtl crew, April 16 2006.

Nice deep amber coloured body with a super thin tan head (that fades right away) and very little else. Aroma of pure hops (high a.a.), malt, cane sugar and even some nuts. Medium-bodied; Super strong hoppy flavour with a potent maltiness, strong sugars and the mouth-coating consistency that makes an IIPA exactly what it is. Aftertaste shows so much of the hops, but also a bit of the sugars and plenty of the full malt. Overall, a decent IIPA, a bit less obtrusive than others and more palatable to me. Worth trying if you prefer IPAs over IIPAs, but could stomach the latter. I sampled this 65 cL bottle purchased at Rick’s Beer & Wine in Chicago, Illinois on 13 January 2007.

22 oz bottle: I can smell the hops and caramel malt from 2 feet away! Caramelly orange hazy body w/ a short lived white head. Thin, sporadic lacing, but noticeable legs on the glass. Piney, grassy, and fresh hop aromas. Hints of grapefruit as it warms. Perfumey alcohol; toasty malt, and nutty brown sugar.Fruitiness is mostly about the citrusy hop. Well balanced for 2IPA, a bit on the bitter side as expected, grapefruit and resiny hop flavor, as well as some from alcohol. Toasty malt, light caramel, and a light fruity sweetness up front, turns drier into the finish. The aftertaste is long, bitter, and herbal hop flavored. Lower carbonation, dry and resiny, w/ a medium body. Surprising given the ABV, must be very well attenuated. Warming alcohol, but not hot. Not a bad double IPA, but as far as things go, it’s a middle of the road version of the style.

Bottle: Lots of caramel and yeast suspended in the drink, light head and lacing, a bit hazy. Nose is very floral and fruity, juicy and grassy with some tropical notes. The flavor is nice and sweet for the body and alcohol. Nice light bottle with a tart, tangy finish. Refreshing and clean. Nice.

Cloudy golden appearance with a quickly diminishing head. Some fruit, but mostly herbal aroma. Subtle sweetness in the flavor. At the bottom for its style, but still a great beer.