Island City Docksider Double India Pale Ale

Island City Docksider Double India Pale Ale. 

8.2 % ABV. 72 IBU. Island City Brewing, Winona, MN. 

And for our next beer, we go down South, way down South to the quiet little town of Winona, Minnesota. This is my first beer from Island City. I've been seeing crowlers at various stores (or maybe just at South Lyndale, I can't be sure. Possibly 1010 Washington, too), but never pulled the trigger on one, nothing in the offering grabbed me. But, when you've got a 6-pack of cans of a DIPA for about $12? Sign me up! Now, to see how good it is.

Clear, crimson-colored, lasting ivory head. Looking nice. 

In the nose: Sweet and buttery at first, followed by hoppiness, then bad fruit, twice-worn socks. Diacetyl, maybe? 

In the mouth: A powerful punch of hops, followed by the burn of alcohol. A trifle rough. Medium-bodied, intensely bitter, and very busy. A lot going on here, fairly rowdy stuff, and not terribly well balanced. The fire of the ABV continues it's rude blaze on the palate. Caramel malt flavors intrude on the proceedings, and I'm searching for more off notes. The butter returns to the place it should not be: in the mouth, when one is enjoying a double IPA. The question is raised whether this is a recipe issue or a brewing flaw. Nonetheless, it is flawed. 

This is actually can 5 of the 6-pack. I suffered through the first four over the past few days, hoping I wouldn't have to pan this one, but pan I must. It's not outright wretched, but it certainly isn't how a DIPA should taste. Too much sweet, and not enough bitter, with those bad, off-flavors hanging too hard on the palate. Can #6 won't go down the drain, but it probably should. 

I'm going to continue to give these guys a chance, with caution. 

Dry-hopped twice, this slightly hazy ale is juicy and refreshing. Citrus notes along with a heavy malt bill round out this intense IPA that finishes smooth and clean with a distinct hop nose.