Charming Rival Double IPA

Charming Rival Double IPA was highly recommended to me by the chap working reception at Toronto’s Avling.https://www.avling.ca/ The beer packs a pretty decent wallop at 8% alcohol. Sold in 355mL cans, the dull gold ale is brewed with Ontario wheat, has a lot of carbonation, and pours under a persistent cylinder of white suds.

Sweet and juicy to the nose, Charming Rival has loads of fruity aromatics. The flavour continues to be sweet, and, though still present, the fruit notes (guava and grapefruit) are dialed back a bit. In their place, citric, resinous bitterness amps up and boozy warmth enters the frame. As well, there is a decent display of malt.

A double IPA with a nice flavour and one that isn’t overpoweringly sweet, Charming Rival has lots in its corner. I wouldn’t complain if it were a bit more bitter, but this stuff gets the job done.

Rating: 8.0 out of 10.