Kern River Winter Double IPA

Beer Name: Winter Double IPA
Brewery: Kern River Brewing (Kernville, CA)
ABV: 8.0%
How sold: 22 oz bottles; on draft
Where bought: Craft Shack (San Diego, CA)  ****bought online
Price: $7.99 for 22 oz bottle

Date Bought: December 6, 2016
Date Received: December 9, 2016
Date Opened: January 22, 2017 
When brewed? Seasonal beer released in Winter. Was also known as Winter Ale and 5th Anniversary Ale.
IBU: 78

What's on the Website: "As the Kernville temps dip our spicy rye Winter Ale warms up the taps. It gets its kick from rye but has plenty of hops to balance out the malt." Read more here!

Where distributed: As of January 2017, Kern River Brewing only distributes their beer in California, and further limits distribution even within the state. They mainly stay within Bakersfield, Kern Valley, Ridgecrest, and Tehachapi. See if Kern River ships to your area!

REVIEW:

Appearance (5%): Poured a clear golden color into a pint glass. Frothy white head. Lovely rings of lacing on the glass. 4.5/5

Smell (25%): Soothing tropical mix (pine, stone fruit, citrus, berries). Some malty. 4.5/5

Taste (40%): Hop-forward with citrus, pine, and berries. Aftertaste again features more citrus peel. No trace of octane, just a tasty brew. Very easy drinking, especially for 8%. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel (10%): Medium-bodied, some carbonation. Bitterness lingers, with dry tongue. 4.25/5

Overall (20%): An outstanding IPA. This is the type of IPA I expected from Kern River all along. It has gotten great reviews on all beer review sites, and I'm very happy with the $8 purchase. I'll probably have to wait until next winter to get another bottle, but it will likely be worth the wait. Very much recommended. 4.5/5

Final Weighted Rating: 4.475/5