Two Brothers Brewery out of Warrenville, Illinois has created one big beer. This artisan brew falls in between two of there current beers in production. It is a step above their IPA (Heavy Handed) and a notch down from their Double IPA (Hop Juice). It is significantly hopped and aged on French Oak. A rich, dark copper color with an ever so slight haze since it is unfiltered. It looked like it picked up a deeper color due to being aged on oak. You can smell this beer immediately after opening the cap. As it poured citrus notes were very present. While there is some malt sweetness it is definitely overpowered by the massive hop aroma. In all honesty, I did not pick up as much of an oak presence as I had hoped. It was very subtle to non-existent. Essentially, bitter is present all the way through. It is very citursy at the beginning which turns into a more earthy and piney hoppiness at the end. Definitely a sipper!

The oak come out somewhat and did bring out the malt flavors. The hoppy aftertaste was more of a piney, woody flavor in which the oak notes come through. In addition, there were also slight residual caramel/toffee notes. In my opinion they could have let this age a little longer to possibly round out the flavors and bring out the oak aroma some more. On the other hand it is an IPA which demands a big hop profile. It was a very “heavy” moderately carbonated beer. Thick, sticky, and intense would be a good way to put it.

Overall, I would not drink this beer again. It was a great “one-time” selection, but I personally think they should stick to brewing Heavy Handed and Hop Juice. I’ve had two IPAs now that have been aged in oak barrels and I have to say that I was not impressed with either. Maybe it’s not the best style to be oak aging?

ABV: 8.1%

Grade: C