DRINK IT DOWN: Two Juicy Double IPA by Two Roads Brewing Company
Beer: Two Juicy
Brewer: Two Roads Brewing Company
Style: American Imperial/Double IPA
ABV: 8.20%
Description: Two Roads’ Two Juicy pours a hazy straw yellow with a frothy white head that leaves a sticky and thick lacing on the glass. The aroma is reminiscent of freshly squeezed fruit juice, with strong pungent notes of oranges, grapefruit, lychee berries, tangerines, peaches, pineapples, and hints of pine abound, with backing notes of semi-sweet light malts. Mercifully, the taste follows the nose with a giant explosion of juicy fruity hops on the palate. Flavors of oranges, pineapples, lychee berries, and tangerines dominate, with touches of dank piney hops rounding out the hop experience. The malts are semi-sweet and act as the perfect counterpoint to the abundance of hops.
The medium body and carbonation are perfect for the style and aid in the juicy quality of the beer. The 8.2 percent ABV is completely hidden, with no detection of alcohol at all. Two Juicy is a wonderfully delicious version of the style and is a must-try for all hopheads!
Food pairing: The warm weather has certainly faded, but there is still some warmth to enjoy and the possibility of an afternoon cookout, so Two Juicy is the beer to have on hand. Not only will the higher ABV help stave off the chill in the air, but it is a phenomenal beer with barbecued meats. It goes exceptionally well with hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue chicken, spare ribs, and even fish. The juicy citrus fruits and subtle dank hop resin notes act as the perfect counterpoint for any spicy BBQ sauce and carry enough heft to cleanse the palate.
Two Juicy is also the perfect beer for a Friday night at home with friends enjoying pizza and movies. It should also be noted that if you are a fan watching holiday movies that are so bad they are good like “Santa’s Slay,” “Gingerdead Man,” and more, this is a great beer to enjoy with them all. In regards to the pizza, the semi-sweet malts will devour the crust, and any topping is great, as the hefty body of this beer can handle them all.
The juicy qualities also make it a wonderful brunch addition as a replacement for a glass of OJ on a laidback Sunday. Two Juicy pairs wonderfully with a light goat cheese omelet, French toast, or even a citrus-topped salad.
The final word: The New England IPA is the fashionable and sought-after style at the moment. While this may upset some, others clamber for every release from any brewery tapping into the style. However, ignoring some of the hype and chatter that comes with anything being en vogue, the NEIPA is enjoyable for many IPA lovers. The trouble with getting into this style is that it can be hard to track down, but thanks to breweries such as Two Roads, those who do not wish to wait in line for hours can get to their favorite bottle shop or bar and grab a can of their own.
While the fact that it is so easily available may make some question the quality of the beer, fear not – it is a top-notch take on the style. Not only does Two Roads hit all the right marks in the juicy quality of this beer, but the drinkability is off the charts. The higher ABV is a nice touch, but it does make it a bit dangerous because it is very easy to drink a four-pack on your own without even noticing. If you fancy yourself a lover of the NEIPA style, Two Juicy is a must-try.
Also, if you have heard a lot about the style but haven’t been able to get your hands on any, this is the beer for you! Thankfully, brewers like Two Roads are widely available in our area and are brewing some truly world-class beers!
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Where can I get it? Currently available in 16 oz. cans at: Beer Boys (176 N. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre), Sabatini’s Bottleshop & Bar (1925 Wyoming Ave., Exeter), The Loading Dock Bar & Grill (1206 Harry P. O’Neill Hwy., Dunmore), and Krugel’s Georgetown Deli & Beer (720 Wilkes-Barre Twp. Blvd., Wilkes-Barre).
