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Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/537558
www.cheersonline.com 42 • July/August 2015 FIVE STARS (94) DirtWolf Double IPA (Victory Brewing Co., Downingtown, PA) 8.7% ABV. Based on smell and appearance alone, few beers match the piney allure of the hazy orange DirtWolf. Grapefruit and spice notes pepper the palate initially, but the fi nish tends to be a bit too bitter and dry. Watch out, as DirtWolf can sneak up on you quickly at 8.7% ABV. (94) Monkeynaut IPA (Straight to Ale, Huntsville, AL) 7.25% BV. Malty citrus fl avored with a mid-to-heavy hop taste. Soft mouthfeel and well balanced. (94) Myrcenary IPA (Odell Brewing Co., Fort Collins, CO) 9.3% ABV, 70 IBUs. The beer has a creamy and hazy sunset appear- ance. A nice variety of aromas, like a bag of Starbursts candy, melon, tangerine and pineapple. Taste is well balanced with Citra hops and light malt. Very easy to indulge, considering the ABV. The four-pack price (about $10) may seem high for fi rst-timers, but it's worth it. (94) New Glarus Scream Double IPA (New Glarus Brewing Co., New Glarus, WI) 9% ABV. Pours a golden-straw color, with one fi nger of head, and jolts from the glass with juicy tangerine aromas. Palate is creamy with a variety of citrus fruits, crisp. English malt backbone and moderate resid- ual hop bitterness. This beer is terrifi cally balanced given the 9% ABV. ALE TO THE CHIEF: IPAS BEER RATING SYSTEM FIVE STARS (93-100 points) A top-fl ight beer. Superior in taste and character, providing an outstanding price/ value relationship. FOUR STARS (86-92 points) A highly appealing beer at an excellent value. A beer for which customers will keep coming back. THREE STARS (80-85 points) An above-average beer at a reasonable price point, which many consumers will enjoy. For our inaugural National Beer Panel reviews, we asked panelists to taste IPAs (India pale ales). These reviews include brief tasting notes, ratings and informa- tion about ABV and IBUs. All beers should be widely available (for sale in at least three major metro markets). If you're a retail or on-premise beer professional who would like to learn more about participating in our panel, please contact associate editor Kyle Swartz at 203-855-8499 ext. 225 or kswartz@specialtyim.com.