Cape Ann Dead-Eye DIPA

I don’t make it up to Gloucester, MA very often, but I have had a couple of fun afternoons in this quintessential harborside New England fishing village. Most of these treks have been in the spring for St. Peter’s Fiesta, the Gloucester fisherman’s festival. The Italian American community in the area hosts the festival every year in honor of St. Peter, the patron saint of fisherman. One of the main attractions of the festival is the greasy pole competition. This challenge involves a greased 45 foot telephone pole that is extended from a platform 200 feet off the beach in the harbor. Daring fishermen try to run across the pole and grab a flag at the far end before they fall into the water below. Some succeed, many fail, and the big winners are always the spectators on the beach. I have attended with a group of friends on a few occasions and I would definitely recommend checking it out. The 2015 festival is June 24th-28th, you can find out more HERE. While you are in Gloucester another must-stop is Cape Ann Brewing Company where there is always a wide selection of fresh beers brewed with the local community in mind. One of their newest creations is Dead-Eye DIPA,  a bold hop-bomb beer brewed with Nugget and Citra hops. Dead-Eye DIPA is sold on draft and in 16 oz. tall boy cans while supplies last.

Cape Ann Dead-Eye DIPACape Ann Dead-Eye DIPA pours amber-orange with a monstrous off-white head. The scent is solidly hoppy, some citrus fruit and resin. The hops lead the flavor too, notes of pine, grass, lemon and orange. All of this hop flavor is balanced by a substantial malt backbone, touches of caramel, whole grain bread and honey. There is also some boozy sweetness, noticeable but not too strong for a beer with 9% ABV. The beer is medium bodied and not overly bitter, especially for a DIPA. The finish is clean with some drying hop crispness. In all, Cape Ann Dead-Eye is a well crafted version of the popular Double IPA style, boozy and hoppy but still balanced and drinkable. If you are going up to St. Peter’s Fiesta next month grab a few of these to enjoy while you cheer on the fishermen running across the greasy pole! Hoppy Boston score: 4.0/5.

Previous Cape Ann Reviews:

Cape Ann Fisherman’s Sunrise Saison

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