Tyranena and Lakefront are teaming up to create a line of beers called the Two Lakes Series. The first beer, Triple IPA, is a combination of five hops, topped off with “fresh” grapefruit.
What is it? Two Lakes Triple IPA from Tyranena Brewing Company of Lake Mills and Lakefront Brewery.
Style: The Triple IPA, as its name implies, pushes beyond an imperial IPA or double IPA.
The triple IPA isn’t a judged style, at least not yet, but it’s becoming more commonly used by breweries to distinguish their hoppiest beers. Expect a deep golden to reddish-amber color, with medium- to full-bodied mouthfeel. The strong hop profile features resiny, piney and/or citrus tones depending upon the type of hops in the recipe. There should be some maltiness to add a complexity to the flavor profile. These are strong beers at 7.5%-10% ABV
Background: The idea for the Two Lakes series came from brewery staffers Chris Johnson (of Lakefront) and Stacy Schraufnagel (of Tyranena). Brewmasters Luther Paul (Lakefront) and Rob Larson (Tyranena) concocted the recipe for the Triple IPA. “Our sales [staff] is always asking us to make double IPAs and big IPAs," says Paul, "and since we had some interesting hops between both breweries just sitting around, it seemed like a good idea to put them together and make a hop bomb.” These include Citra, Galaxy, Amarillo, Simcoe and Magnum hops.
Added to that bitter mix is fresh grapefruit. On brew day at Tyranena, staff peeled about 80 pounds of fresh grapefruit, from which mostly rinds were added during brewing. The challenge was finding the right amount.
The Two Lakes Series is expected to showcase different styles for each release. It's likely to be an annual brew for the two breweries. Triple IPA finishes around 9.3% ABV, with an estimated 80 IBUs (International Bitterness Units). It’s available in the Tyranena taproom for $5/pint and $16/growler (refill). For the next few weeks, find it on tap at Madison’s more specialized beer bars.
Tasting notes:
Aroma: Lots of citrus tones. The grapefruit and hops combine for a tropical fruity bitterness.
Appearance: Clear, orange copper with a soft light tan head.
Texture: Full-bodied, bubbly and soft.
Taste: A strong wave of citrus hoppiness remains solid and flavorful.
Finish/Aftertaste: Bitter, with grapefruit dryness.
Glassware: In most taverns, this beer will be served in the standard American bar pint, or occasionally a snifter. At Tyranena it’s served in the English-style pint glass. Serve it at refrigerator temps to bring out the hops and grapefruit. If you take home a growler, use a thick glass mug to prevent it from getting warm too quickly.
Pairs well with: This level of bitterness can overpower many foods. Try spicy dishes, sharp cheddars or strong blue cheeses.
Rating: Three Bottle Openers.
The Verdict: The tropical bitterness stands out. While the grapefruit doesn’t overwhelm, it certainly adds a fresh, fruity element that punctuates the dry bitter finish. But this beer also has a rich malty backbone that gives it a spicy complexity with enough warmth to bring it to the edge of what could be found in a hoppy (American) barleywine. However, it’s the grapefruit that brings it back into the realm of an IPA. It’s a strong beer at over 9% ABV, and its flavors linger. It’s certainly tasty and one that hopheads will enjoy.
