Parallel 49 Brewing's Toques of Hazzard has been a popular annual tradition for many beer drinkers in Manitoba every Christmas time, to the point that once it makes its appearance on local Liquor Mart shelves, it's gone within a day or two. Perhaps it's the fact that this Double White IPA tops out at 9.2% ABV with an affordable price point that causes it to sell out immediately, I don't know. I happened to come across a can of this beer only a number of weeks ago at a small town LC so I was shocked.. so I had to buy one of course. So, after years in the work, I'm fiiiinally reviewing Toques of Hazzard!
A year and half ago I had a long weekend trip to Vancouver and went for lunch at Parallel 49, which was... frankly insanely tasty! My buddy whispers to me that a table or two away from us was the head brewer of P49. I almost yelled out "OMG it's the guy on the Toques of Hazzard label!" Because he looks a bit too much like the guy in blue on the label.
From the website: Just a good ol' beer, made with grains, yeast and hops. Beats all you ever drank, been a double IPA since the day it was born. An Imperial IPA made with wheat to keep the beer light bodied and a hazy white. Big hop flavours and aromas of tropical fruit and gooseberries from the Citra and Hallertau Blanc hops. 9.2% ABV
Appearance: Deep golden-orange body, opaque, moderate amount of carbonation in the body and quite a thick amount of yellowish-beige head on top. The head diminishes for the most part to leave behind a sprinkling of foam on the glass.
Aroma: It may be out of season but the very first thing I said was "Ohhhhh I like this!" It's floral with an alfalfa-like presence to it, Belgian yeast, good amount of sweetness (caramel), a hint of bubblegum, grapefruit and lemon.
Taste: Moderately sweet Double White IPA with notes of caramel, a bit of grapefruit and lemon. It's got a very heavy bitterness that hits the middle of my tongue.. predominantly a pine/leafy taste. Quite strong and has a tad bit of a Belgian-like vibe to it - a tad yeasty, a hint of peppery spiciness. Doesn't come across as boozy in any way but I think the bitterness of the hops overpower any hint of booziness this beer may have.
Overall Thoughts: It's summer but this beer works for even now, more bitter than I expected but this is a Double (White) IPA, so it definitely reminds me of some Double IPAs I've had over the years before the juice bomb era of IPAs. Definitely will be drinking this again.. in six months.
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