Lawson's Double Sunshine IPA
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Tasting Notes
The aroma leads with a dense wave of tropical and citrus hops — mango, grapefruit, a little tangerine — backed by a faint piney resin note. On the palate, the hop intensity stays front and center but there's enough malt sweetness underneath to keep things from going harsh or astringent. The body is full without being syrupy, and bitterness builds through the mid-palate into a finish that lingers with citrus pith and a light warmth from the alcohol. It's a well-integrated double IPA that doesn't let the 8% get in the way of the hop character.
About the Brewery
Lawson's Finest Liquids is based in Warren, Vermont, and built its reputation largely on the strength of Sunshine IPA and this Double Sunshine variant, both of which developed a serious cult following in the Northeast. Founded by Sean Lawson, the brewery operated for years as a small-batch, draft-only operation before opening a production facility and taproom in Waitsfield. They're regarded as one of Vermont's flagship craft breweries and are closely associated with the juicy, soft-water hop-forward style that put the state on the IPA map.
Food Pairings
Spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes work well because the hop-forward fruitiness tempers heat without amplifying it. A fatty, char-grilled burger stands up to the bitterness and gives the malt backbone something to grip. Aged cheddar or a sharp Vermont white cheddar in particular mirrors the beer's mild resinous quality and cuts through it cleanly. Carnitas tacos with bright lime and salsa benefit from the citrus echo in the hops. If you're going dessert, a mango or passionfruit sorbet plays directly off the tropical aroma without the sweetness clash you'd get with richer options.
Style Guide
American Double or Imperial IPAs are essentially the IPA concept pushed to greater extremes — more hops, more malt to balance them, and higher alcohol, typically falling between 7.5% and 10% ABV. The style emerged from American craft brewing in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with West Coast breweries like Russian River often cited as pioneers. What separates it from a standard American IPA is the amplified hop intensity and the fuller malt body required to keep the bitterness from turning punishing — it's not just a stronger IPA but a more layered, deliberate construction. It sits apart from New England IPAs primarily in its clearer appearance and more pronounced, sometimes more aggressive, bitterness.