Double IPA by White Birch Brewing Co.
Have you ever noticed that you might have made a hasty choice in the market grabbing some brew that looks appealing cause of packaging, cost point or shelf height. But when you get down to drinking it, you are less than amazed. And on top of that, you might have actually thought more about the purchase decision in retrospect rather than an informed and thoughtful pick. Well all of these points prove that marketing, packaging and shelf positioning are very important. But at the end of the day, your informed choice will either be hit or miss. So, this is why you are here reading about great beers to try. And our focus for today is on White Birch’s Double IPA.
White Birch Brewing was founded in 2009 by Bill Herlicka, a longtime homebrewer and entrepreneur. His hard work brewing quality craft beers for the public in 22 oz bottles and now in 12 oz cans is and always will be his first goal. White Birch provides year round brews as well as seasonals and ‘small batch series’ editions. The upgraded 30 barrel brewery from a 7 barrel system means that more of Bill’s amazing beer can be produced for loyal fans who await releases year round. You can find out more about their offerings at their website www.whitebirchbrewing.com
[Web Update / Correction: David Herlicka purchased the brewery in April of 2017 from his brother Bill. David started working with Bill at White Birch in 2013/2014 and helped grow the brand ever since. Bill has moved on to other adventures and David has been having a blast tweaking and improving WB’s beers and will be opening a new facility in May in Nashua.]
Starting out as a growler-only offering from the brewery, “Double IPA” is a 9.2% ABV flavorful brew burst with malt goodness and late hop character in 12 oz cans. A large white head greats you as you pour the first round. When you bring the glass to your mouth, you will smell wonderful rich malts, biscuit and sweetness even before you take your first taste. With a generous and malty mouthfeel, you will taste all of the previous flavors but also tartness from bittering hops which lasts throughout the experience. Gorgeous golden yellow is the hue and slightly hazy is this prize. Citrus and fruit embrace you with flavor and mystifying complexity. Balance between maltiness and hops sees malt as the winner, but since this is a double IPA, that is to be expected in the character style. Overall, this beer serves as a reminder of what more courageous beer drinkers long for… flavor and lots of it.
With the many other offerings from White Birch, this is a brewery to become friends with. You can find it at Case-n-Keg, as well as other fine beer stores. Most on BeerAdvocate.com have averaged this beer 4.12 out of a score of 5 and they have officially rated it at 85 winning it a ‘Very Good’. Enjoy this beer year round and remember to always drink craft NH beer whenever possible!
Jim MacMillan is the owner of WonByOne Design of Meredith, NH, and is an avid imbiber of craft brews and a home brewer as well. Send him your recommendations and brew news to wickedbrews@weirs.com
