Coronado Idiot (Double IPA)

I've spotted reviews of this beer on those "Other Beer Rating Sites" dating back as far back as August of last year. Am I so out of touch with what's going on in my own `hood that I don't even know about this DIPA? Sheesh....

First time I personally heard about this beer was when it was offered up "With Ginger" at the latest San Diego Real Ale Festival up at the Carlsbad Pizza Port brewpub. I don't mind ginger as much as I used to -- must be all those trips to Japan beating down my ginger phobias! But in a hoppy beer? No way. No how. Not happening. Not on my watch!

But I did grab this 22 during a run to my local BevMo, to stock up for the weekend. I've been in a huge hop-heavy mood as of late, so what's another DIPA to the mix, eh? Better than I expected, this one. It's a not a megabomb o' hops per se, but more along the lines of a moderately-sized satchel-charge of IBUs. With a citrus fruit basket on the side.

Recent discussion re: what is or what is not a DIPA seemed to focus on the malt profile. Too "meaty" or "chewy"? Not a DIPA. Or so the story goes. But I'm not comfortable with drawing such drastic line-in-the-sand.

This has a fair amount of malt in the mix -- but only in a backup/wingman role. The hops are still the star of this show, have no fear! Plenty of citrus hoppy goodness to keep this on the up-and-up. 

This does get a bit rough around the edges as it warms. A bomber of this would probably a good candidate to split 2- or 3-ways, to maximize the flavor before it fades away into Funkytown as it warms.

Worthy of checking out, from an outfit that has quietly been expanding over the years. Without a single "rock-star" brewer on the roster, no less....!
//TB