Brewery: Evil Twin Brewing (Brooklyn, NY)
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 12%
IBUs: 80
Evil Twin Brewing, founded by Danish gypsy brewer* Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø (twin brother of Mikkel Borg Bjergsø of Mikkeller), is known for bold, unconventional beers. Molotov Cocktail lives up to that reputation. It’s unapologetically hoppy and strong, a beer that demands attention. What sets it apart is its balance. Despite its intensity, it avoids being cloying or one dimensional. Here’s my thoughts on it.
Appearance – 4.2/5
Pours a deep amber-orange with excellent clarity. A dense, off-white head rises quickly, then settles into a thin cap, leaving streaks of lacing behind. It looks rich and full-bodied.
Aroma – 4.1/5
The nose is all about tropical fruit, sweet malt, and alcohol warmth. Expect waves of mango, pineapple, candied orange peel, and resinous pine, layered over a thick caramel and honey malt base. There’s also a noticeable boozy sharpness. It doesn’t try to hide the ABV.
Taste – 3.9/5
Up front, it’s a blast of tropical and citrus hop character, such as grapefruit, passion fruit, tangerine. But the sweetness comes in hard. The malt backbone is hefty, almost syrupy, bringing caramel and burnt sugar notes that verge on cloying if the beer isn’t consumed slowly. The alcohol is hot, especially as it warms, but not entirely out of control. Bitterness is there, but it’s fighting to cut through the sweetness and weight.
This beer isn’t about balance, it’s about intensity. If you’re into sweeter, boozier DIPAs or barleywines, this beer might be right for you. If you’re chasing crisp, modern West Coast IPAs, this will feel like overkill.
Mouthfeel – 4/5
Full-bodied, slick, and sticky. The carbonation helps lift the beer just enough, but it’s still a chewy, warming experience. Definitely a sipper.
Overall – 4.05/5
Molotov Cocktail isn’t a beer for everyone. It’s a brash, high octane take on an Imperial IPA, leaning hard into sweetness and alcohol. It has character, no doubt…just not subtlety. It’s an interesting beer to try, maybe share, but not something most people would drink regularly.
Fans of big, sweet, high-ABV hop bombs or American-style barleywines will appreciate it. Others might find it overwhelming. Either way, it’s a memorable beer that sticks to Evil Twin’s “go big or go home” ethos.
*Note: A gypsy brewer is someone who brews beer without a physical permanent brewery. They’re basically contract brewers. Larger breweries will contract with a gypsy brewer and have them produce beer using their brewing facility. In most cases, it’s a win/win for both the brewer and the brewery (win/win/win, if you include the customer who gets to enjoy a great beer they might not have been able to otherwise).
If you’ve tried Evil Twin’s Molotov Cocktail, please share your thoughts about it in the comments section below.
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