Firestone Walker Double Jack: American Hops at Their Best

Like many American craft beer drinkers, I'm a huge sucker for the complex, flavorful, often fruit-like characteristics of American hop varieties. It's no surprise that some of the highest rated American craft beers are very hop-heavy IPAs. Summer weather especially makes me want to grab an American IPA with enough hop crispness and complexities to satisfy my palate. There also has to be a balanced malt presence for it to be a really well-crafted beer. Many big IPAs fit this profile, and the latest one I enjoyed is Double Jack from Firestone Walker Brewing Company.

Double Jack, a dry-hopped double IPA, is just one fantastic entry in a large lineup filled with innovative, intriguing and very high-quality beers. Firestone Walker, located in Paso Robles, California, was founded in 1996 by Adam Firestone and David Walker. It's grown into a very well-regarded and notable craft brewery known for being on the leading edge of positive brewing trends and creativity. One example of such creativity is the system of oak barrels Firestone Walker uses to ferment many of their ales. They've also won their share of awards, including one for Double Jack, which took home a bronze medal in the Imperial IPA category at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival.

Double Jack, part of the Firestone Walker Proprietor's Reserve series, is a truly special and world-class beer. In addition to bittering hops used early, then hops added for flavor late in the boil, the beer is also dry-hopped during fermentation with a great blend of American hop varieties. Dry-hopping adds a ton of flavor from the hops and their oils without imparting much bitterness. In the glass, huge aromas of grapefruit, tropical fruits, and light, bready malts come alive. The flavors in the beer match the aroma, with so many complexities of the hops and malt playing on the tongue. To say this beer is incredibly drinkable doesn't quite do it justice. At 9.5 percent ABV, look out for how smoothly Double Jack goes down.

In the grand scope of American craft beer culture, are IPAs dominating the market a little too much? That's a debate left for another day. As long as craft brewers like Firestone Walker continue to elevate the standard for quality and creativity, keep the excellent IPAs coming!