For all the beers De Molen makes, hoppy beers aren’t really what they are known for. That said, one of the most memorable hoppy beers I’ve ever had was the De Molen 21 Grams so it isn’t as if they can’t make them!
What we can expect of De Molen is a beer that isn’t just a straight-forward version of a particular style. As the name might suggest with this beer, it is a double IPA with ‘a blow’ of pineapple. (That’s De Molen’s new way of describing the added ingredient, it ties into their catch-phrase of ‘Blow Your Mind’.)
On opening it pours an attractive golden colour, and you get a good whiff of tropical fruits but that’s about it. To taste the early sweetness is of tropical fruits again, obviously pineapple but also yellow stone fruit line apricot. A restrained bitterness supports the beer as it progresses, with a light body and reasonably soft carbonation. A light bitterness with the fruity notes of the Amarillo and Citra hops lingers.
I’m not sure the pineapple actually adds to this beer, maybe it actually needs more than just a ‘blow’. It is a decent beer, though it won’t be as memorable as the 21 Grams.
The last thing I would say about this beer is that is drinks so easily, you have no hint of the 8.5% ABV. Unwary drinkers could get seriously derailed by an afternoon drinking this beer!