About This Beer
Lineman Lilac Chaser DDH DIPA 44cl is an 8.5% Double Dry Hopped Double IPA brewed as a collaboration between Lineman in Dublin and Barclay Brewing Co. from Connecticut in the United States.
Lilac Chaser sits firmly within the modern American-influenced approach to Double IPA. Rather than simply using higher alcohol and aggressive bitterness to create intensity, a DDH DIPA puts enormous emphasis on hop aroma and flavour. Double dry hopping introduces additional hops during and after fermentation, allowing their aromatic character to become a defining part of the finished beer.
At 8.5% ABV, Lilac Chaser has the strength and body to support that substantial hop character. Expect a bigger experience than a standard pale ale or IPA, with a smooth, full body carrying concentrated hop flavour and aroma.
The collaboration itself is particularly interesting. Lineman has established itself within the Dublin Irish craft beer scene, while Connecticut's Barclay Brewing Co. brings an American perspective to a beer style strongly associated with the modern US craft brewing movement.
For fans of hop-forward beer, Lilac Chaser offers an opportunity to explore that meeting of Irish and American brewing through one of the biggest styles in our IPA & Pale Ale collection.
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Hazy golden-yellow with a dense pale head.
- Aroma: Intensely hop-forward with ripe fruit and fresh aromatic hop character.
- Taste: Juicy and fruit-led, backed by a substantial malt base and balancing hop bitterness.
- Mouthfeel: Full-bodied and smooth, with the weight expected from an 8.5% Double IPA.
- Finish: Long and hop-saturated, with lingering fruit character and bitterness.
About the Brewery
Lineman is an independent Irish brewery based in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin. Founded by Mark Lucey and Vivienne O'Neill, the brewery produces a broad range of beers rather than concentrating exclusively on a single style, with releases spanning pale ales and lagers through to stronger dark beers and limited editions.
Collaboration has long been an important part of craft brewing, giving breweries an opportunity to combine different techniques, ideas and influences. Lilac Chaser sees Lineman working with Barclay Brewing Co., a small American brewery based in Connecticut.
For this release, that partnership is expressed through a DDH Double IPA – a style closely connected with contemporary American craft beer and its emphasis on expressive hop aroma, juicy flavour and a softer approach to bitterness than older generations of Double IPA.
The result adds another distinctive limited release to the selection of Irish craft beer available from TheCru.ie.
Food Pairings
A big Double IPA needs food with enough flavour to stand alongside it, and Lilac Chaser's combination of hop intensity, fruit character and 8.5% ABV makes it particularly well suited to spicy and richly flavoured dishes.
Spicy fried chicken is an excellent option, with the juicy hop character providing contrast to chilli and the beer's bitterness helping cut through the fried coating. Tacos with pork, chicken or beef, fresh salsa and chilli also work well.
Try it with a substantial burger topped with mature Cheddar, or alongside barbecue where caramelised and smoky flavours provide a counterpoint to the aromatic hops.
Strong cheeses such as mature Cheddar can also handle the beer's intensity. Avoid very delicate foods, which are likely to be overwhelmed by a DDH DIPA of this strength.
As with most hop-focused beer, Lilac Chaser is best enjoyed fresh. Keep the can refrigerated and serve chilled to get the most from its hop aroma and flavour.
Try More Like This
If you enjoy big, juicy and heavily hopped beers like Lilac Chaser, explore our IPA & Pale Ale range for more Double IPAs, Hazy IPAs, West Coast IPAs and pale ales.
You can also discover more locally brewed releases in our Irish craft beer selection, or browse the complete Craft Beer & Craft Cider range for independent beer from Ireland and around the world.
Shop the best of craft beer Ireland and from around the world online with TheCru.ie or in our Dublin craft beer store, Carry Out Tyrrelstown in Dublin 15.