Surly Double Bladed Axe Man 4Pk

Surly Double Bladed Axe Man 4Pk is a 10.8% ABV double-dry-hopped Double IPA from Surly Brewing Company, sold as a four-pack. Built as a supercharged version of the acclaimed original Axe Man IPA, this expression doubles down on Citra and Mosaic hops over a Golden Promise malt backbone, earning a strong 4.1 out of 5 rating on Untappd across thousands of reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 10.8%  |  Origin: Brooklyn Center, Minnesota  |  Style: Double IPA  |  Brewery: Surly Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Surly Brewing Company, headquartered in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, has been a driving force in the Upper Midwest craft beer scene since its founding. Double Bladed Axe Man takes the hop profile of the original Axe Man IPA — already one of Surly's most celebrated releases — and amplifies it. The brew is double-dry-hopped with Citra and Mosaic hops, layered over a base of Golden Promise malt, a premium Scottish barley variety prized for its clean, biscuity sweetness that allows hop character to take center stage.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Immediately resinous and assertive, with waves of fresh orange peel, ripe tangerine, and pineapple. Beneath the citrus blast, grapefruit rind and sticky pine resin add dank complexity.

Taste: The entry is deceptively sweet, with bright tropical pineapple and juicy orange arriving first. Mid-palate shifts toward bold grapefruit and deeper citrus tones, while the Golden Promise malt provides a supportive, lightly biscuity sweetness. A massive, firm bitterness builds steadily, anchoring the intense hop flavors without letting them drift into cloying territory.

Finish: Long, sticky, and deeply dank. Resinous pine and lingering orange rind carry through, leaving a persistent bitterness that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Double Bladed Axe Man

Pour into a tulip glass or stemmed IPA glass at around 45–50°F to let the full aromatic complexity open up; this beer rewards deliberate sipping rather than rushing. At 10.8% ABV, it stands confidently on its own, but also works in specific cocktail-adjacent applications: a Beer-garita where its tropical hop punch replaces conventional citrus; a Michelada for those who want an aggressively hopped twist on the classic; or a Hop Drop (a boilermaker-style pairing with a shot of reposado tequila) where the dank citrus mirrors and amplifies the agave spirit.

Best For

• Hop-forward beer enthusiasts seeking maximum intensity from a Double IPA
• Sharing among a small group during a craft beer tasting session
• Gifting to a fan of Surly's original Axe Man who wants the next level
• Pairing with bold, spicy, or rich foods that can stand up to 10.8% ABV

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Bladed Axe Man taste like? It opens with bright, sweet tropical fruit — orange, pineapple, and tangerine — before transitioning into a massively resinous, dank finish with firm bitterness. The Golden Promise malt base provides just enough sweetness to balance the aggressive hop profile.

How does Double Bladed Axe Man compare to Stone Ruination? Direct comparisons show Double Bladed Axe Man delivers stronger aromas with more pronounced sweet tangerine, pineapple, and grapefruit character, while Stone Ruination leans toward lemon and bitter pine with a drier overall profile. Double Bladed Axe Man reads sweeter and heavier on the palate, making it the bolder of the two.

Is Double Bladed Axe Man good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this is a Double IPA built for deliberate, contemplative drinking. The layered aromatics and 10.8% ABV reward a slow pour into a proper glass at a cool but not ice-cold temperature.

Where is Double Bladed Axe Man made? It is brewed by Surly Brewing Company at their facility in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Surly is one of the most recognized craft breweries in the Upper Midwest.

What foods pair well with Double Bladed Axe Man? Spicy Thai green curry, where the tropical hop notes complement lemongrass and coconut; sharp aged cheddar, which contrasts the malt sweetness; barbecued brisket with a peppery rub to match the resinous bitterness; fish tacos with mango salsa to echo the citrus and tropical profile; and rich blue cheese, whose intensity can hold its own against 10.8% ABV.

What sizes does Double Bladed Axe Man come in? It is commonly available as a four-pack of 16-ounce cans, which is the standard format for Surly's hop-forward releases.

Is Double Bladed Axe Man worth the price? It positions as a premium craft Double IPA, and the combination of double-dry-hopping with Citra and Mosaic over Golden Promise malt puts it in competitive territory with other top-shelf DIPAs. For hop enthusiasts, the intensity and complexity justify the premium-tier pricing.

Why Double Bladed Axe Man?

This is not simply a stronger version of a popular IPA — it is a deliberate amplification of the hop character that made the original Axe Man one of Surly's flagship releases. The double-dry-hopping with Citra and Mosaic creates an aromatic intensity that few Double IPAs match, while the choice of Golden Promise malt as the base grain provides a cleaner, more refined sweetness than typical American two-row. With a 4.1 rating on Untappd from over five thousand reviews, it has earned consistent praise from the craft beer community. At 10.8% ABV, it sits at the upper threshold of the style, delivering the kind of bold, sticky, tropical-meets-resinous experience that defines what a Double IPA can be at its best.