Two Roads Two Juicy DIPA
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Tasting Notes
The aroma leads with a wave of tropical fruit — mango, passionfruit, and ripe citrus peel — characteristic of the hazy double IPA format. On the palate, soft bitterness is buried under layers of juicy hop flavor, with the malt body providing just enough backbone to keep things from feeling thin. The finish is relatively smooth for the strength, with lingering tropical and stone fruit notes rather than a sharp resinous bite. The high dry-hop load keeps it aromatic from first pour to last sip.
About the Brewery
Two Roads is based in Stratford, Connecticut, operating out of a repurposed industrial building that has become something of a destination brewery in the Northeast. Founded in 2012, they built their reputation on a broad, well-executed lineup that spans accessible lagers through adventurous collaborations under their 'Road Less Traveled' series. They're one of the larger craft operations in Connecticut and have maintained solid regional distribution across New England and beyond.
Food Pairings
Spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes work well here because the soft tropical hop character cools heat without fighting it. A burger loaded with sharp cheddar and caramelized onions gives the malt backbone something to match against. Mango or pineapple-based salsas with grilled fish echo the fruit notes in the hops without overwhelming a lighter protein. Aged gouda is a reliable pairing since its caramel and salt contrast cleanly with the juicy bitterness. Pad Thai with shrimp threads through both the citrus and the mild sweetness the style carries.
Style Guide
The American Double or Imperial IPA takes the standard American IPA and pushes the hop intensity and alcohol content significantly higher, typically landing between 7.5% and 10% ABV. This particular beer sits in the hazy or New England-influenced corner of that category, prioritizing soft mouthfeel and fruit-forward hop aroma over the sharp, resinous bitterness associated with West Coast doubles. Where a West Coast DIPA might emphasize dryness and aggressive bitterness, the hazy double leans on late and dry-hop additions — often Citra, Mosaic, or Galaxy — to build aroma and flavor without hardening the finish. The style emerged from the same Northeast hazy IPA movement that took hold in the mid-2010s, simply scaled up in both gravity and hop load.