Double Mountain Revives Gravitar Galactic IPA for 19th Anniversary Celebration

Gravitar Galactic IPA spent more than a decade in the archives. Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery pulled it back out for the brewery's 19th anniversary, releasing the revived Galaxy-hopped IPA across all three of its locations as the centerpiece of a five-day celebration that ran March 13 through March 17.

Originally brewed in 2013 during what the brewery describes as its early experimental years, Gravitar developed a cult following before disappearing from the tap list. Its return comes through Double Mountain's rotating From the Vault series, which owner and brewmaster Matt Swihart described as the brewery's way of reconnecting with its own history. "From the Vault gives us the chance to bring back recipes that tell our story," Swihart said. "Gravitar was a beer that pushed boundaries for us. It's exciting to share it again with longtime fans and a whole new generation of hop lovers."

This iteration is not a straight replica. The brewery reformulated Gravitar with Galaxy hops paired with modern hopping techniques, a refreshed yeast strain, and a lightened malt bill aimed at a more vibrant, drinkable result. The press release describes the beer as a hop-forward ride through bright citrus, resinous pine, and tropical depths, with aromas of grapefruit zest and sticky evergreen giving way to passionfruit and ripe stone fruit. A firm malt backbone steadies the whole thing, finishing crisp and clean. The brewery's own tap-list copy leans further into the space-themed branding: "Greetings Earthlings. This IPA summons a kaleidoscope of interstellar aromas: pineapple, cosmic citrus, and an ethereal note of ripe berry anchored by a grounding whisper of forest mist."

The release landed in the middle of Double Mountain's anniversary events, which included live music, special releases, comfort food, and what the brewery called a proper St. Paddy's toast. The band Kalida played the Overlook Taproom on March 14 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm as part of the anniversary programming.

Gravitar is available now on tap at the Overlook Taproom at 1700 N Killingsworth Street in Portland, the Woodstock Taproom at 4336 SE Woodstock Blvd., and the Hood River location. It is also offered in 500 mL refillable bottles, part of a program the brewery says has moved 2,757,499 bottles to date under the tagline "Return Me, Get Free Beer." Both Portland taprooms are open daily from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm; the Overlook can be reached at 503-206-4405 and Woodstock at 503-388-2436.

For a beer that spent 13 years in the vault, Gravitar's timing is pointed: Galaxy hops have become one of the defining ingredients of the modern Pacific Northwest IPA, and a lighter malt bill positions the revived recipe squarely in the direction the style has moved since 2013.