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Double Sunshine

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The original Citra-driven imperial IPA that inspired Sip of Sunshine. Juicy, fruity, and luminous, with intense citrus and tropical character — a Vermont-famous beer fans once drove hours to find.

ABV
8.0%
Bitterness
Very bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden6
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
citrusyfruitytropical
citrusy
fruity
tropical
juicy
hoppy
Aroma
The nose is dominated by bright Citra hop character — intense citrus peel, grapefruit, and orange zest leap from the glass.
not found:piney,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Double Sunshine

◎ Appearance

Pale golden hue with excellent clarity and luminous brightness characteristic of the style. A dense, creamy head forms quickly and clings persistently to the glass with fine lacing. Carbonation appears lively throughout, with steady streams of fine bubbles rising through the body.

pale goldencrystal cleardense headpersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by bright Citra hop character — intense citrus peel, grapefruit, and orange zest leap from the glass. Beneath lies a warm tropical undertone with hints of mango and passionfruit, layered with soft, grainy Malz notes that provide gentle sweetness without heaviness. A subtle herbal and resinous quality rounds out the composition.

citrus peeltropical fruitgrapefruitherbal resin

◐ Taste

The palate enters with juicy citrus intensity and immediate tropical fruit character, balanced by a full body that feels substantial yet clean. Mid-palate develops a smooth, slightly sweet orange note with lingering tropical complexity, while measured bitterness (80 IBU) emerges gradually without dominating. The finish maintains hop-driven character throughout, with residual citrus oil coating the mouth pleasantly.

juicy citrusfull-bodiedsmooth orangebalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The aftertaste is dry yet refreshing, with citrus and hop character persisting for several minutes. Bitterness fades gradually, leaving a clean, slightly astringent impression without harsh tannins.

dry finishpersistent citrusclean aftertaste
86
hopIQ score
Aroma
90
Taste
88
Appearance
82
Finish
80
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Tulip glass

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Double Sunshine

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About Double IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Double IPA?

IPAs are hop-forward ales with 5.5–7.5% ABV and IBU 40–70+. Bold hop aroma — citrus, tropical, resinous — with firm bitterness and a dry, clean finish.

Finding a similar Double IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same citrusy, fruity, tropical character as Double Sunshine will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Double IPA beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →