Beer Review: Heavy Seas Dubbel Cannon

Happy Easter! Yet another day for the rabbits and bunnies in my neighborhood to continue destroying my yard. The only difference is that they pay us back in candy and chocolate eggs on this day.

We hosted a somewhat atypical Easter dinner. Rather than simply buy a honey-baked ham, I grilled some kebabs and served those. Luckily, the weather held and it was a good day (with the exception of some drama in morning). I figured that pretty much any beer would go with this table, so I selected Heavy Seas Dubbel Cannon, which was released just a week ago. I also picked up a six-pack of Peg Leg Imperial Stout, which I'll review later this week.

Dubbel Cannon is a "Belgian Style IPA," and according to the label is a variation of Heavy Seas' Loose Cannon but using a dubbel yeast. I should have purchased some Loose Cannon to see if I could tell if the malt bills were identical. Unfortunately, I didn't read the description until after I was home.

The beer pours with a rich, thick-bubbled mostly white head that remains at least through the glass I'm currently drinking (more than 15 minutes now since I poured). The color is a clear copper. Unlike many other IPAs, the aroma is not overly hoppy but somewhat subdued. At the same time, you don't get that raisin/plum aroma of a dubbel.

Taste is nice compromise between an IPA and a Belgian beer...not sure if I can really taste the dubbel flavors. Hops are understated, and really enhance the maltiness of the beer. I'm not sure what hops are used, but I do not believe they are any of the "C" hops (Cascade, Chinook, etc), though I am not an expert. The mouthfeel is about what you would expect from an IPA. It has a pleasant aftertaste, a combination of the hops and the Belgian flavors.

 This is a very good beer; indeed, it is already among my favorites of Heavy Seas; Peg Leg, my other purchase of the weekend is the other. (Note: I apologize about the orangish tint of my photos. I don't have the best light in my basement.)