Double Mountain Gypsy Stumper IPA

Beer Name: Gypsy Stumper
Brewery: Double Mountain Brewing Co. (Hood River, OR)
ABV: 7.5%
How sold: 16.9 oz. bottle (500 mL)
Where bought: Belmont Station (Portland, OR)
Price: $7.99
IBU: 80
Date Bottled: March 25, 2015
Date Opened/Drank: April 4, 2015

What's on the Label: "This hard-working IPA is named for the little-known crew that cleared a mountain so we could ride in style. Assertively hopped and vigorously balanced."

What's on the Website: "In the spring of 1980, a bearded, ragtag work crew known as Gypsy Stumpers were hired to clear out stumps out of the new runs on Hood River Meadows. Camped at lift tower 10 on HRM, they worked long hours falling trees six feet in diameter, but only three feet tall. Much like the stumpers, this beer works twice as hard for your riding pleasure. Tangerine and herbal flower notes make their way through the resinous, pine forest nose. Its sturdy body holds the weight of the vigorous hopping, resulting in an assertive balance."

When brewed? Limited-time beer.

Where distributed: Click here to see if Double Mountain ships to your area!

REVIEW:

Appearance (5%): At first, it poured a clear orange-copper into a pint glass, but the sediment at the bottom turned this beer hazy by the end. The haziness is what you'd expect from an unfiltered beer. Lots of carbonation. Very frothy, pronounced head that held up well. Wonderful lacing inside the glass. Incredible appearance. 5/5

Smell (25%): Lovely fruity (grapefruit and tangerine) smell with some malty and flowery qualities. Pleasant and not overwhelming. 4/5

Taste (40%): Initially, it was a mostly hoppy and alcoholic experience. Then, after pouring the remaining beer into the glass (to obtain more of the sediment flavoring), more of the citrus and flowery notes came through to temper the alcohol. The aftertaste is more bready, which frankly I am not the biggest fan of. Very important to pour every last drop into the glass for a proper taste rating. The flavors are a bit more complex than I first thought, and a fairly balanced experience overall. 3.75/5

Mouthfeel (10%): Mostly refreshing with malty-medium body. Good carbonation and lingering bitterness on the tongue. 3.75/5

Overall (20%): A good IPA. I'm glad I poured the entire contents of this unfiltered beer into the glass, or else this rating may not have been as accurate as it should be. Gypsy Stumper is solid overall, but isn't blowing me away like other heavyweight IPAs have. Drinking this beer fresh is a must, and drinking this 10 days after bottling is as fresh as it usually gets without living inside the brewery. I think a trip to Hood River is in order to really get the Double Mountain experience. 3.75/5

Final Weighted Rating: 3.875/5