Beer Review: Triple Axle
Urban Roots Brewing x Shred Beer Co.
Landing a West Coast Triple IPA is a high-stakes maneuver. It requires the perfect balance of massive hop saturation and a clean, dry finish to avoid becoming a “syrup bomb.” Triple Axle, a collaboration between Sacramento’s Urban Roots and the hop-wizards at Shred Beer Co., sticks the landing with technical precision.
It comes in bold with that classic sticky resin vibe, then hits with bright kumquat and a wave of tropical fruit on the finish.
The hop bill is stacked with Mosaic, Mosaic Cryo, Mosaic Dynaboost, Columbus Cryo, Nectaron, Simcoe, and Nectaron hop kief.
It’s big, aromatic, and unapologetically West Coast.
Appearance
This 11.0% ABV giant pours a beautiful, clear golden-orange. Despite the high gravity, it maintains a bright clarity and develops a sturdy, off-white foam head that clings to the glass as you sip.
Aroma
The bouquet is loud and unapologetic. You are immediately hit with sticky pine resin and dank, herbal notes. As it breathes, layers of overripe tropical fruit emerge—think mango and pineapple—intermingled with a sharp citrus zest.
Flavor & Mouthfeel
For a beer sitting at 11.0% alc/vol, the mouthfeel is remarkably nimble.
The Lead: Initial flavors of bitter grapefruit pith and resinous hops.
The Mid-Palate: A solid, cracker-like malt backbone provides just enough support to prevent the hops from becoming overwhelming.
The Finish: There is a noticeable alcohol warmth, but it is smooth rather than harsh. It finishes with a long, botanical bitterness that invites another sip.
The Verdict
Triple Axle is a celebration of the “Love Your Roots” philosophy, pushing the boundaries of the West Coast style without losing its soul. It is a heavy hitter that stays crisp, making it one of the more dangerous and delightful Triple IPAs on the market.