Review: Central Waters Illumination Double IPA

In Beer Reviews by Ryan


Central Waters says:

“Can you say Palate Wrecker? This double IPA comes in at 108 IBUs. As hoppy as it gets with a mouthful of citrus flavors. Grab one today and illuminate your taste buds.”

Central Waters Illumination Double IPA
Double IPA, 9% ABV

Sayeth the Guys:

Ryan: I was skeptical about this release from Central Waters for a number of reasons: (1) this was their first foray into the world of double IPA’s and sometimes that does not always live up to expectations, (2) I wasn’t blown away by their Glacial Trail IPA and (3) I had just sampled Ale Asylum’s double IPA and was left feeling rather , “meh.”  Central Waters, I owe you and apology because this very well may stack up their as one of my favorite double IPA’s.

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The Illumination poured a vibrant, and thick orange in color with a few fingers worth of malty, sticky head.  There is a ridiculous amount of citrusy hops in the nose of this beer; pineapple, mango, orange peel, lemons and the slightest hint of malty sweetness.  Take a sip and you get a puckering, all-out assault on the palate.  Piny hops hit first followed by the citrus that I caught in the nose; fresh grapefruit and passion fruits – my mouth is watering just thinking about it.  But this beer isn’t done yet – a wave of caramel malt splashes in on the finish to balance things out.

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This is right up there with the likes of Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute IPA and Dark Horse’s Double Crooked Tree.  Hopefully this is not a one-and-done release from Central Waters and we’ll see it again this winter/spring.

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About the Author

Ryan

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Equal parts beer nerd and policy geek, Ryan is now the curator of the Guys Drinking Beer cellar. The skills he once used to dig through the annals of state government as a political reporter are now put to use offering unique takes on barrel-aged stouts, years-old barleywines and 10 + year verticals.

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