Knee Deep 'Lupulin River' Imperial IPA. 8% abv. Golden-honey color. Clear. Finger of foamy white head. Excellent retention and outstanding lacing. Nose of light fruit, pine, sweet bread, bright spice notes. Front taste of floral bitter hops, light fruity malt, slightly sweet, floral back end. Aftertaste is bitter herbal hops, stone fruit, pine, distant cloves. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, bright, sticky back.

This is an excellent beer. The fruity taste is present throughout, balanced with the mix of bitter hops and light malt. There are nice notes of spice and pine from the aroma to the aftertaste. A solid beer worthy of its category. Well recommended.

NOTE: Special thanks for Martin Almanza for the lead photo, and Michael Mendoza for the end photo. Both are fellow members of the Central Valley Craft Beer Drinkers. Cheers!

From the brewery:

"This Double IPA includes Mosaic and Simcoe hops, South American specialty malt, and tons of tastiness. Looks like liquid gold, smells like a bright tropical fruit pine forest, and tastes like all that and more."

[source: kneedeepbrewing.com]

I had Knee Deep Lupulin River on tap at Peeve's Public house. Awesome brew!

The lacing on this beer is divine.

Knee Deep Lupulin has lacing that is a work of art in itself.

Photo courtesy of Michael Mendoza

Knee Deep Brewing 'Deep River' Double IPA. 8% abv. Clear golden color with thin white head off the tap. Retention is low, with the head never more than a collar, but lacing is present throughout. Nose of sweet malt, floral hops, biscuits, faint pine. Front taste of roasted malt, toffee, bright hops, sweet light fruit. Aftertaste is bittersweet, herbal, hoppy, astringent. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm-hot, slightly sticky, alcoholic. 

This beer is an excellent example of a double/imperial IPA, whose taste brings to mind the extraordinary Dust Bowl Therapist and the excellent New Belgium Rampant. In terms of flavor and body, Deep River lives somewhere between the two. It was brewed in a collaboration between Knee Deep Brewing and Kern River Brewing, a partnership I hope births more creations. Highly recommended.

Deep River also comes in bombers, bottled by the Knee Deep side of the collaboration. On the label, the IBU is listed as 'ask Jeremy or Kyle' referring to the two brewmasters involved, Jeremy Warren (Knee Deep) and Kyle Smith (Kern River). 

From the brewery:

"Here’s a new co-brew coming from Knee Deep & Kern River Brewing. This Double IPA will be packaged in 22oz bottles and it will come in at 8% ABV…and if you want the IBU you have to 'ask Jeremy or Kyle.' "

I enjoyed Deep River on tap at Spokeasy Public House.

Deep River also comes in bombers, bottled by the Knee Deep side of the collaboration. Note that the label lists the IBU as 'ask Jeremy or Kyle' referring to the two brewmasters involved.

Knee Deep Tanilla Porter. 6.3% abv. 30 IBU. Dark brown color, nearly black. Two fingers of creamy tan head. Good retention and lace. Nose of rich malt, some vanilla, notes of cocoa. Front taste is where the vanilla stands out, with a malty backbone and notes of roasted coffee. Aftertaste is sweet with some lingering hop bitterness. Thin-medium body. Mouthfeel is thick, creamy carb. This is a great beer, well made, somewhat different from a standard porter. I’ve had it twice so far, and I’m sure I’ll have it again.

From the brewery:

"Made with only grade-A Tahitian vanilla beans, Tanilla carries a smooth chocolate flavor complemented by the delicate intensity of vanilla beans, and a rich aroma of coffee."

Nice retention and lace on this creamy head.

Knee Deep Tanilla was a hit at one of our beer tasters.