What’s the difference between a Single IPA and a Double IPA, really?

You’re probably thinking “it’s the booze, Philip! Duh! I thought you were supposed to be an expert!”

And, you’re not wrong. The booze is certainly part of it. But, brewing for a higher ABV also changes the flavors, the mouthfeel, and the aroma! If you really want to examine all the differences between a Double and a Single, a side-by-side tasting is the best way.

That’s why today, we’ve got 2 brews from Tombstone Brewing, who’ve been called one of Arizona’s best by Eater, PorchDrinking, and The Beer Travel Guide! 

The brewers hopped both with Citra, Simcoe, and Amarillo Hops to create tropically fruity notes of pineapple, mango, and tangerine, and both feature ultra-soft Hazy bodies. The Single brings a bold 7.1% ABV, while the Double clocks in at 8.3% ABV — but, that’s not the only difference you’ll detect if you crack these cans open side by side!

Since the brewers used more malt to crank up the Double, it’s slightly sweeter, with stronger nuances of bread crust. The Single, on the other hand, is more crisp, with a lighter body and a drier finish that allows a note of resinous pine to really sing through the finish.

We recommend inviting over a juicebomb aficionado or two and sampling these two IPAs back to back. You might not all agree on what differences you detect, but debating it is half the fun! 

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