Samuel Adams Rebel Rouser Double IPA

This 8.4% ABV and 85 IBU double IPA is from the Boston Brewing Company, makers of Samuel Adams beers.  While their Rebel IPA came out about a year ago, doing West Coast style hoppy beers is still relatively new territory for this long-standing craft brewer. They also have a just released a session IPA in this lineup called Rebel Rider.

The beer pours honey and apricot in color. There is a tall, thick, foamy head of white. The aroma is piney, musky, citrus zest and mango skin.  The taste follows the aromas, hitting lots of hop notes, rich, ripe fruits, citrus, tropical, pine and musk. It is moderately to strongly bitter, and dry on the finish. It drinks big, smooth, round, full, but not heavy. This is the best IPA that Sam Adams has ever made by about a million miles. I'm looking forward to trying it again.  So, their Rebel IPA was decent, but not a great IPA, the Rebel Rider was a definite notch up from that, but this one is their height to date so far as IPA's go.