BLC Says:
Gandhi-Bot is an elusive Double IPA from New England Brewing Company that isn’t distributed locally where we live, though once again Kevin’s brother Michael came through and brought us home a four pack. Like many of NEB’s other beers, it’s only available in a can or on draft. Having never even seen a tap handle for this one, we have only tried the canned version so far. As you may or may not know, a Double (or Imperial) IPA is basically what it sounds like: a stronger, hoppier version of a standard IPA. The style was started by west coast American brewers and in addition to the higher hop content, the ABV is typically above 7.5%. This is a beer style for the hoppy at heart and Gandhi Bot certainly delivers.
This double IPA pours a clear golden color with a loose fluffy white head that leaves tons of lasting lacing. Vigorous carbonation with small bubbles is present throughout the body. If you choose not to pour it into a glass you can just take our word on this one. The hop aroma is very powerful and gets you as soon as the beer is opened becoming even more powerful once it hits the glass. Piney herbal hops are dominant, with an orange marmalade undertone. Alcohol is evident in the aroma along with sweet candy-like notes. Hops, hops and more hops explode through the sip with a barley toasted bread malt character popping up every so often to provide some backbone. So many hop flavors come into play with zesty herbs, grass and citrus all tumbling around when tasting this beer. Even with an 8.8% ABV this beer drinks on the lighter side never feeling thick or heavy but it does leave a thin, slick coating around your mouth broken up by a snappy, prickly sensation. Delicious fruity and pithy grapefruit comes through in the aftertaste and is met with a mild sweetness and lingering bitterness in your mouth. A sort of symphony of hops plays out as you enjoy this big, bold New England Double IPA. Gandhi Bot does not practice palate pacifism rather attacking your taste buds like a tasty terminator.
Alicia Says:
This is one of those beers that I understand why it’s popular and well liked, but I personally don’t care for it. It has that syrupy, resin hop flavor which seems to be the standard of any “good” double IPA, but again it is just not my thing. To me this seems like a lighter version of 120 Minute by Dogfish Head flavor and mouthfeel wise. Again, probably a huge selling point for most. The hop flavor lingers and isn’t for someone who casually enjoys an All Day IPA once in awhile (aka myself).
Kevin Says:
Have we mentioned this one is hoppy yet? At first I found Gandhi Bot to be very “catty” and “dank” up front. If you do not know those are code words in the world of beer for an aroma/flavor reminiscent of weed. As I enjoyed this DIPA though I was pleasantly surprised with the depth of hop character. Notes of weed, pine, onion and even rum soaked orange cake came through. Oh and there was a hit of pepper as well. All of this was ever so slightly sprinkled with hints of alcohol and malt. I expected this to be a touch cloying but it wasn’t and in fact was rather lighter than I expected.
Gandhi Bot is a hop bomb. Tons of hop character is jammed into this canned Double IPA. There is very little in the way of malt here. It’s just enough to hold everything together. This is a very enjoyable beer and I am glad we were able to try it. I am curious if this was readily available locally if it would work it’s way into my regular rotation as it really is an avalanche of hops. All that said I wish I had another can to crack right now. For me overall this is a 9/10.
ABV: 8.8% IBU: 85 Color: Golden Year: 2014 Brewery: New England Brewing Co.
The Brewery Says:
Gandhi-Bot is an intensely hopped double India Pale Ale with a blend of three varieties of American hops. Aromatic and fully vegetarian, Gandhi-Bot is an ideal aid for self-purification and the seeking of truth and love.
