Review: Laser Show Vermont Style Double IPA by Left Field Brewery

OK, I know you come here for the reviews, so here’s the reason behind my perfect score.

Left Field Brewery, sandwiched between Little India and the Danforth, knows how to brew exceptional IPA’s. Case in point: their new Prospect IPA, and their outstanding Greenwood IPA as part of their impressive line up.

Double or Imperial India Pale Ales are purely an American creation, and they vary from looking like pale ales to occasionally Black IPAs, and even Barleywines.

The two main indicators you have a Double IPA in your glass is the ABV is usually above 7%  (although you can get standard IPAs above that), and the IBU can go pretty high.

Throwing another random element into the equation, Laser Show Double IPA uses Vermont yeast, giving it a much more New England than West Coast taste.

At first glance, Laser Show looks just like Left Field’s Greenwood, their regular strength NE IPA I reviewed earlier, pale and very hazy gold colour with a nice white head.

Loaded up with Citra, Centennial and Mosaic hops, Laser Show hits you with a fruit salad of tropical fruit taste notes including lychee, cantaloupe and orange concentrate. This is a juicy monster of an NE DIPA.

NE IPAs are typically smoother and more drinkable than the West Coast variants. Laser Show is no different – it’s a super smooth pour despite the 80 IBU, the four pale gold malt taming the bitterness to the same level as the Greenwood.

Considering the size of the bottle, I highly recommend sharing this beer due to the 8% ABV.

What we have here is a grand slam with bases loaded (still abusing baseball metaphors), if you’re a fan of IPA’s, in particular the New England or Vermont variety, then Laser Show should be at the top of your list.

You can find this at Left Field Brewery, if you live in Southern Ontario and in Toronto for the day, it’s worth the visit to their brewery. You can also order online through their website, on tap at select local bars ,and at select LCBO’s in 650ML bottles.

• ABV: 8%
• IBU: 80
• Style: New England/Vermont Style Double IPA
• Taste: Tropical fruit
• Rating: 5/5
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