Beer Review: Trillium DDH Stillings Street New England Hazy IPA
Trillium Brewing Company‘s Stillings Street IPA is a core offering, and its Double Dry Hopped (DDH) variant elevates the experience by amplifying the hop intensity. This New England Hazy IPA is named after the street where Trillium’s original Fort Point brewery was located, paying homage to their roots and showcasing their signature style.
First Impressions & Appearance: Poured into a tulip or nonic glass, the DDH Stillings Street immediately presents a deeply hazy, vibrant orange-yellow color, reminiscent of freshly squeezed tropical juice. It’s opaque and thick-looking. A generous, creamy, bright white head crowns the beer, demonstrating excellent retention and leaving behind thick lacing as it slowly settles. The aroma is a powerful burst of tropical and citrus hops, with juicy orange, sweet pineapple, ripe mango, and passionfruit leading the charge, supported by notes of lime zest and a hint of dank, resinous pine. The “DDH” truly shines through in the potent aromatic intensity.
Taste Profile: The first sip is an exhilarating rush of hop flavor that perfectly matches the aroma. A huge wave of juicy, ripe tropical fruits, think pineapple, mango, and papaya, dominates, seamlessly blended with vibrant citrus notes of tangerine and grapefruit. The double dry hopping provides an extra layer of hop oils, resulting in a rich, full-bodied hop character that is both sweet and subtly tangy.
Despite the intensity of the hops, the bitterness is incredibly soft and well-integrated, characteristic of the New England IPA style. It’s more about hop saturation than sharp bitterness. The malt backbone is minimal, providing a soft, pillowy sweetness that acts as a canvas for the hops without imparting any cloying character. The alcohol (typically around 7.2% ABV) is exceptionally well-hidden, contributing only a gentle warmth and a sense of fullness without any alcoholic bite.
Texture & Finish: The mouthfeel is luxurious – thick, velvety, and incredibly smooth, almost like a tropical fruit smoothie. The carbonation is moderate, providing just enough effervescence to lift the flavors without being prickly. The finish is remarkably clean for such a hop-forward beer, with the juicy tropical and citrus notes lingering pleasantly on the palate, evolving into a mild, refreshing bitterness that encourages another sip.
Trillium DDH Stillings Street is a stellar example of a top-tier New England Hazy IPA. It’s a hop lover’s dream, delivering an intensely aromatic and flavorful experience that showcases the best of modern hazy IPAs. The double dry hopping takes an already excellent beer and elevates it, packing in even more juicy, tropical goodness. It’s a beer that perfectly balances immense hop character with incredible drinkability and a luxurious mouthfeel.
Who is this for? This is an absolute must-try for fans of New England IPAs, hop heads who crave juicy, tropical flavors, and anyone looking for a highly refined and aromatic DIPA. It’s perfect for savoring on its own or pairing with lighter, flavorful dishes.
Available at SF Tequila Shop