Beer of the Week: Double Tropics

Early in my time as a multi-decade craft-beer enthusiast, I wasn’t a fan of IPAs. My palate has always been extremely sensitive to bitterness. Bitter foods and ingredients pretty much hit my taste buds at double the strength of the average person, to the point where certain things like grapefruit and watercress are nearly inedible. It’s similar to how roughly a quarter of the population has an aversion to cilantro, and it’s really annoying. Fortunately, the swing from the forcefully bitter IPAs of the ‘90s and early 2000s to today’s more fruity, elegant takes on the style have allowed me to embrace them like the majority of the craft-drinking populace. But before that shift, I found a friend in double IPAs. Higher in alcohol, they tend to have more residual sugars, providing a touch of sweetness that helps even out all that hop bitterness. It’s similar to the semisweet nature of hazy IPAs that’s a chief attribute leading to the massive popularity of the style over the past decade or so. Hazies provide an approachable vehicle for people to experience – and hopefully fall in love with – hops. The siblings behind Vista-based Booze Brothers Brewing have witnessed this time and time again with their hazy IPA, 1-800-Tropics. Double dry-hopped with Mosaic, Simcoe and Centennial hops, it’s big on tropical, citrus and stone-fruit flavors, all of which are easy to enjoy thanks to a low level of bitterness and the style’s complimentary sweetness. It’s been such a hit, that the bros recently doubled down, introducing an imperialized version of that fan-favorite called Double Tropics. In addition to around an extra alcohol-by-volume (ABV) point, the brothers boosted the amount of Simcoe, bringing on a dankness that serves as a counterpoint for any would-be over-the-top sweetness. It’s a double IPA that fans of its single-strength progenitor will recognize yet appreciate on its own merits, and one that the bitter-averse (or intolerant) will be able to sip and savor, as well.

When you find something you love, why settle for a single when you can have the double? We were eager to brew another hazy IPA, and the idea struck: Why not take our beloved 1-800-Tropics, double the hops and boost the ABV? And just like that, Double Tropics was born! We know many of our customers consider 1-800-Tropics their go-to, so we’re excited to offer something new and exciting, yet with a familiar taste profile. The addition of Simcoe Cryo hops enhances the bright fruit and tropical notes, making this double IPA incredibly drinkable. We had a blast creating it, and we can’t wait for you to find it on shelves and on-tap!”

Donny Firth, Co-owner & Brewer, Booze Brothers Brewing

Booze Brothers Brewing’s headquarters is located at 2545 Progress Street in Vista, and its satellite venues are located at 606 Mission Avenue in Oceanside and 121 North Pico Avenue in Fallbrook