Brewery: Melvin Brewing (Alpine, Wyoming)
Style: Double IPA (DIPA)
ABV: 9.9%
IBU: 100
Melvin Brewing has built a reputation for crafting hop-forward, bold, and often irreverent beers, and 2×4 Double IPA is no exception. This beer has achieved near legendary status in the world of hoppy brews, having won multiple awards, including back to back gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival (2012, 2013) and the Alpha King Challenge (2016). It’s widely regarded as one of the best DIPAs available, but does it live up to the hype?
Appearance (4.5/5)
2×4 pours a hazy golden-amber hue with a frothy, off-white head that sticks around, leaving impressive lacing on the glass. It’s slightly hazy, but not at all murky.
Aroma (5/5)
The nose on this beer is massively hop-forward. Bright notes of pine, citrus zest, mango, peach, and floral resin explode out of the glass. There’s also a touch of dankness and honey-like malt sweetness balancing the intense hop presence.
Taste (4.5/5)
This is where 2×4 really shines. The hop bill is aggressive yet well-balanced, featuring piney bitterness, citrus peel, tropical fruit, and a resinous bite. There’s a backbone of bready malt with a touch of caramel sweetness, preventing the bitterness from becoming overwhelming. The 100 IBUs are noticeable but don’t burn the palate. Rather, they build in a way that keeps each sip intriguing.
Mouthfeel (4/5)
For a nearly 10% ABV beer, 2×4 is deceptively smooth. It has a medium-full body with a slightly sticky, resinous quality. The carbonation is lively, enhancing drinkability, though the alcohol warmth is present in the finish.
Finish (4/5)
The finish is long and lingering, with lingering pine resin, citrus bitterness, and a touch of malt sweetness. The alcohol makes itself known but doesn’t overpower the experience.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Melvin 2×4 Double IPA is a benchmark for the West Coast DIPA style, balancing massive hop character with just enough malt backbone. It’s bold, flavorful, and dangerously drinkable for its ABV. While some drinkers may find it slightly too resinous or bitter, hopheads will appreciate its punch and complexity.
Final Thoughts
This beer is an excellent choice for fans of big, piney, resinous IPAs with a nod to the classic West Coast style. If you prefer hazy, juicy IPAs, this might not be your beer, but for lovers of old school hop bombs, it’s definitely worth trying!
If you’ve tried Melvin’s 2X4 DIPA, please share your thoughts about it in the comments section below.
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