Terrapin does it again! Or not. You see, I’m a big fan of Terrapin Hi-5 IPA, so when I heard that they were doing a doubly good version of that wonderful beer called Terrapin Hi-10 Mango Habanero DIPA (Double India Pale Ale) I was excited to try it. Terrapin Hi-10 Mango Habanero DIPA is also another entry in Terrapin’s Side project series of beers; it is in fact Side Project 27.

Interestingly, Terrapin Hi-10 Mango Habanero DIPA is the first side-project to be sold in cans. All of the prior entrants in the series that I have come across have been sold in bomber bottles (and on draft, too). This is not just any DIPA by the way, but is a DIPA brewed with mangos and habaneros as well.

From the label:

Surf’s up with our “HI-10” Mango Habanero Double IPA. With citra waves for days, and just enough heat to make you sweat, our big and juicy DIPA has plenty of kick to keep you barreled from start to finish.  

Ingredients from the website:

HOPS: Zythos, Amarillo, Cita, Simcoe (Dry Hop Amarillo, Centennial, Citra, Simcoe)

MALTS: 2-row, CaraMalt, CaraPilsner

OTHER: Mango and Habanero

Terrapin Hi-10 Mango Habanero DIPA has an alcohol content of 9.3% by volume with a whopping 110 IBUs. The price though is the deal killer on this one for me-a ridiculous $15.99 a six-pack at Total Wine. I bought a single for $3.49. My can has a best by date stamped on the bottom of 1.22.17; I drank it on October 31^st. Boo!

Terrapin Hi-10 Mango Habanero DIPA pours to hazy orange amber color with a dense tropical fruit and resin nose and a thick creamy head. Taking a sip, the beer is medium on the caramel malt but big with juicy citrus orange and pineapple-mango-passion fruit notes. The beer is slightly sour to my taste, very warm with alcohol in the finish and not as bitter as I expect for 110 IBUs but bitter all the same. It’s very boozy, lush with tropical fruit citrus and lesser resin. Where are the habaneros? I got a hint of green peppery flavor when I go looking for it, but not really any habanero heat to speak of.

All in all, this was a decent enough beer that I’d give 4 stars to on its own merits. When you’re charging $16 a six-pack, though, you’d better bring all the main ingredients to bear, and that didn’t happen for me with the habaneros. Half star off for that, and another half star off for the rip-off price.

I’m glad I tried, but I wouldn’t rebuy.

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