Beer Review: Wayfinder Beer – Double Fink Hazy DIPA
Location: Portland, OR
Style: Hazy Double IPA
ABV: ~8.5% (Typical DIPA range)
Wayfinder’s Flower in the Kettle has long been the “thinking person’s” hazy, balanced, floral, and precise. Double Fink is that same beer after a heavy session in the gym. It is bigger, bolder, and significantly more aggressive in its tropical delivery, yet it retains that signature Wayfinder “cleanliness” that prevents it from becoming a muddled mess.
The Pour
Double Fink pours a striking, opaque apricot-gold. It’s dense and heavy in the glass, with a slow-rising carbonation that supports a thick, pillowy white head. The “haze” here isn’t just a lack of filtration; it looks like a glowing, suspended nectar that promises a massive mouthfeel.
The Aroma
The nose is a tropical riot. The “pineapple-like punch” mentioned in the brewery’s notes is no exaggeration; it smells like a freshly sliced Maui Gold pineapple sitting in a bowl of passionfruit pulp. There’s an added layer of “dank” sweetness here that you don’t find in the standard version, likely a result of the “myriad of sensational hops” used to beef up the profile.
The Flavor Profile
This is a high-impact DIPA that manages to stay elegant:
The Entry: An immediate explosion of tangerine nectar and tropical punch. The pineapple note is dominant but remarkably fresh, avoiding that “canned juice” aftertaste.
The Mid-Palate: This is where the complexity kicks in. I’m getting hints of candied peach, overripe mango, and a subtle, spicy “green” note that provides just enough contrast to the fruit.
The Finish: For a Double IPA, the finish is impressively smooth. There is a slight, warming alcohol presence (as expected at this ABV), but it’s wrapped in a silky, oat-driven texture that rounds off any sharp edges. It leaves a lingering sweetness of citrus curd and hop oils.
The Verdict
Double Fink is a triumph of “intensity without fatigue.” Often, Double Hazies can become cloying or “heavy” after half a glass, but Wayfinder has maintained enough structural integrity to keep this drinkable. It is lush, loud, and arguably one of the most tropical beers currently coming out of Portland.
Quick Take: If Flower in the Kettle is a bouquet, Double Fink is the entire botanical garden. It’s a masterclass in hop saturation that will satisfy the most demanding “juice-heads.”