Alvarado Street Brewery | Vengeful Destroyer (Quadruple Dry Hopped Hazy IPA)
Alvarado Street is renowned for its technical prowess in the hazy category, and Vengeful Destroyer, a Quadruple Dry Hopped (QDH) version of their beloved Vengeful Barbarian, is a massive testament to that skill. While the name and metal-inspired artwork suggest a brutal experience, the beer itself is a sophisticated, pillowy cloud of hop-saturated goodness.
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: This pours a dense, opaque apricot-gold. It features a heavy, stable head that resembles whipped cream, leaving thick rings of lace as it settles.
- Aroma: The “Quadruple Dry Hop” treatment is immediately apparent. It is an absolute juice-bomb on the nose, exploding with saturated notes of overripe mango, pineapple juice, and a heavy dose of lime zest. There is a distinct “green” herbal freshness that indicates just how many hops went into the tank.
- Palate: The mouthfeel is exceptionally soft and creamy, a hallmark of Alvarado’s yeast profile and water chemistry. Despite the 7.2% ABV, it feels substantial and velvety. Flavor-wise, it’s a tropical fruit salad: peach rings, melon, and a hit of citrus oil.
- Finish: Surprisingly smooth for a QDH beer. It delivers intense hop saturation without the “hop burn” or throat-scratching acidity that often plagues heavily hopped hazies. It finishes with a gentle, fruity sweetness that lingers on the tongue.
The Verdict
Vengeful Destroyer is a high-water mark for the Hazy IPA style. It is decadent, incredibly aromatic, and showcases a masterful balance of intensity and drinkability. It’s the kind of beer that demands a slow pour and a moment of appreciation for the sheer volume of lupulin packed into the can.