Triple IPA – American: Knee Deep Simtra Triple IPA

I know last week I said that I’d be doing easy drinking summer beers, but this one is good on a hot evening. Unfortunately it’s not as easy to drink as others! Needless to say, on hot and humit evenings sharing this with some friends Knee Deep Simtra Triple IPA is great.

However, I must stress that this is definitely not an easy drinking brew at 11.25%!

Let’s start with Knee Deep Brewing‘s description of the beer:

Simtra Triple IPA delivers a punch in the face with its very danky hop aroma derived from Simcoe and Citra hops. You wanted more hops you got them.

 

Although short, I think this is an adequate description. If you like hoppy beers, this one really does punch you in the face with a massive hop kick. Dank means “potent” in the Marijuana world and has recently surfaced in America to mean super hoppy. There’s a theory that Hops and Marijuana are linked, but it’s a sort of yes or no maybe answer.

Double and Triple IPA’s are not like English IPA’s at all, they have 2 or 3 times the hops and usually a massive bitterness. Citra hops are relatively new, and they are very interesting as they have flavours of tropical fruits and a sweetness to them which has made them very popular.

Aside from the shedload of Citra and Simcoe hops in this brew, I’m guessing it’s made like a usual American IPA with 2-Row Pale Malt, Crystal Malt and maybe a bit of German Wheat for head rentention. Judging by this beer after it’s poured, there’s definitely wheat in it! More on that later. After this a usual American Ale Yeast is used and it is then Dry-Hopped whilst it ferments, just to get that extra hop kick we obviously all need in an already insanely hoppy beer.

This beer pours a dark amber, almost red hue with a thick, dense white head (hence the comment on the wheat earlier!) which calms down eventually into a medium head leaving loads of lacing on the side of the glass. This beer smells like a tropical fruit buffett in Hawaii, loads of Tropical Fruit with a touch of Citrus and a Grassy note in the background. When you taste this beer, it’s a lot like the smell; a big kick of sweet tropical fruit, guava and Glacé Cherries. It eventually finishes off with a tide of very bitter Citrus and Pine with a bit of warmth from the alcohol percentage. The alcohol is hidden quite well, and you won’t be able to tell this is 11.25%. It goes down smooth and finishes crisp and not dry. Definitely one to share with friends on a humid summer evening, or even in the winter.

I’d recommend trying this, if IPA and hoppy beers are your thing or if you’re looking for something new. I’d definitely buy again, but not drink an entire bottle to myself!

You can purchase Knee Deep Simtra Triple IPA in the UK at:

Beers of Europe

Unfortunately after writing this arcticle, it seems this is quite rare beer to aquire in the UK. If you can get your hands on it I definitely recommend!

EST. CALORIES: 338   ABV: 11.25%

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