Beer Review: Fort George Brewery – City of Rainbows DDH Hazy IPA
Fort George’s “City of Rainbows” serves as a high-impact example of the Double Dry-Hopped (DDH) Hazy IPA style. Known for their consistent quality, the brewery leans into the “DDH” moniker here to deliver a beer that focuses on maximum hop saturation and a luxurious, soft mouthfeel. It is a bold entry in their lineup that satisfies the demand for intense, fruit-forward aromatics.
The Craftsmanship
The technical success of City of Rainbows lies in the brewery’s commitment to the DDH process, which involves adding a significant portion of hops after primary fermentation has subsided. By doing so, the brewers preserve delicate, volatile hop oils that would otherwise be lost during the heat of the boil or the turbulence of fermentation. The grist, typically featuring high-protein adjuncts like oats and wheat, is carefully managed to provide the structure to support this heavy hop load, resulting in the characteristic opaque haze and plush texture that drinkers expect from this sub-style.
Tasting Notes
- Aroma: The nose is vibrant and saturated, led by massive notes of peach nectar, honeydew melon, and soft tangerine. There is a faint, pleasant dankness that helps ground the sweeter fruit notes, ensuring the aroma remains punchy rather than one-dimensional.
- Flavor Profile: On the palate, the experience is intense. You will detect strong flavors of apricot, starfruit, and citrus zest. These are balanced by a subtle, creamy sweetness that evokes vanilla or soft cereal grains, keeping the experience smooth and drinkable despite the high hop intensity.
- Mouthfeel: The texture is the highlight; it is thick and creamy, coating the tongue thoroughly. The carbonation is finely tuned to be soft and effervescent, which helps lift the heavy hop oils without introducing harshness.
Verdict
City of Rainbows is an excellent representation of a modern, well-executed DDH Hazy IPA. It succeeds by balancing its aggressive hop profile with an expertly crafted, pillowy malt backbone. It is a beer that rewards the drinker who appreciates the complexity of New World hop varietals and the sophisticated mouthfeel that defines the best of the category. It stands as a refined, albeit powerful, testament to Fort George’s expertise in the Hazy IPA space.
Please Note: To ensure absolute freshness and optimal storage temperatures, all craft beer arrivals are sold exclusively in-store and are not available for online ordering.
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