#19: Double Hop Monster IPA (Greene King)

Name: Double Hop Monster IPA

Brewery: Greene King Brewery

Style: Double IPA, 7.2%

This bottle caught my eye months ago, and I finally got to have one. Can't resist a dragon with gold wings! It's a simple label—a bit cartoony, but charming. Personally, I would love if this had some chili in it so you could feel like you were breathing fire like a dragon, but I'm not the one brewing this beer.

The label says that it is "late hopped for maximum aroma and a refreshingly bitter finish", and I'd say with that they deliver what they promise. Unfortunately this bottle wasn't the freshest, but I can imagine this would be excellent if it had been. That said, this beer didn't blow me away; the dragon merely hiccupped some sparks and smoke, a shadow of what it could be. I wouldn't buy another bottle, but if I found it fresh on tap somewhere I would definitely give it another try.

Label: 4/5

Beer: 3.5/5

#13: Shadow Pictures (Amager Bryghus)

Name: Shadow Pictures / Skyggebilleder

Brewery: Amager Bryghus

Style: Double India Pale Ale, 8%

I'm a kid at heart, and that includes getting excited and giggly about shadow puppets (even though I kinda suck at them). The name is what got me with this beer, but the label is pretty cool, too.
I couldn't decide for a while what to rate this one. It's definitely good. It's a bit sweet, with hoppy bitterness and some citrusy notes. I kept asking myself what I would change for the taste to be ideal. I couldn't come up with anything, but it was lacking something. Maybe it just comes down to a matter of personal preferences. I think the really standout beers are ones with a distinctive, memorable taste. This one might just be too balanced for me. So if you like your beers really well balanced, try this one! But hey, try it anyway. It's darn tasty. And make some shadow puppets for me while you're at it.

Label: 3.5/5

Beer: 4/5

#9: DIPA (Electric Nurse)

Name: DIPA

Brewery: Electric Nurse

Style: Double India Pale Ale, 8%

At first when I saw this beer, I thought Electric Nurse was the name of the beer, but it turned out to be the brewery. ( -10 points to the beer, +10 points to the brewery) I thought a double IPA named Electric Nurse, with those mischievous-looking label ladies, was sure to be a hoppy, crisp, awesome drinking experience.
The smell made me "mmmm". The taste was good, although not the freshest. It's a solid double IPA, but nothing really stands out about it. I'll definitely drink it again and again if it's made available, but I won't seek it out.

Label: 3/5

Beer: 3.5/5