A thin, brief-lived pebbly tan head sits atop a dark brown body with ruby highlights; lacing is fair, consisting of slabs and caverns. The nose is light in intensity, but attention-getting: a seamless, punchy blend of bitter coffee, oak and booze backed by hints of smoke and black-strap molasses. The palate shows a sweeter and much richer dark malt character than the nose would predict; it's a smooth, seamless melange that includes milk chocolate, cocoa, toffee and molasses, and ends up just slightly on the sweet side of the balance. Like the aroma, there is just a hint of smoke. The finish is toffee/caramel, with a bit of carbonation bite, and ends dryish; the linger is a subtle coffee/oak bitterness that sticks around for a minute or two. Mouthfeel is on point for the full body, and the texture is stoutish: viscous, sticky, creamy, and just faintly peppery from the restrained carbonation.

This beer looks more like a light lager than a Double IPA: pale gold in color, crystal clear and very effervescent. It pours to a lasting giant pillowy ivory-colored head that would look right at home on a lager as well; lacing consists of very nice rafts and ladders. The nose puts any doubts about what it is to rest: the aroma shows as a fairly intense, smooth, seamless, soapy melange of citrus, pine and florals, joined by pineapple and alcohol overtones. Up front, the palate is bitter resinous pine and citrus, with a nice balancing view of the light bready malt foundation emerging mid-palate, joined on the back end by significant floral and alcohol notes. The finish is a bit astringent, a bit malty and a bit floral/pine, all joined in seconds by a style-moderate clinging hoppy bitterness; the pine/floral notes and the bitterness linger for a few minutes. Mouthfeel is biggish for the light body, and peppery from the very fizzy carbonation. This is a very drinkable, very well-balanced Double IPA that hides its alcohol pretty well.