Deschutes Brewery's -- Hop in the Dark C.D.A. (Cascadian Dark Ale)

Deschutes Brewery's Hop in the Dark was the second best beer reviewed by Wine Enthusiast magazine in 2010. Some beer writers are saying that this year, Hop in the Dark is even better!

6.5% ABV and 70 IBU's

Review:

Appearance: This beer looks just like a stout as it sits in the glass. It is seriously black with a dark tan head. The head retention is great and leaves lacing down the entire glass. My guess is that there are wheat and oats in this beer.

Aroma: Strong cascade/citrusy hop aromas. Behind that, there is just a hint of sweet malt. 

Taste: 

First sip-- hops, then rye bread, then roasted coffee notes.

Second sip-- hops and then roasty notes.

Third sip -- hops and then more hops.

Every other sip-- hops and hops and hops. 

The hop character is citrusy and grapefruity up front, with an earthy middle and a gritty Chinook-like feel late.

(Side Note: Cascadian Dark Ales are an emerging style that is new to the commercial market. It is my humble opinion that this trend was pushed by home brewers who were concerned with making something tasty to drink -- and unconcerned with how to market or make money on a beer that doesn't fit in the style guidelines. Commercial brewers who make their money by marketing beer took a while to come around to this innovative style. If you enjoy this beer, and how different it is from most other beers on the market, you may enjoy making your own beer.)

Overall: 

This is a great dark IPA or CDA or whatever you want to call it. It is very hoppy but not so much that you laugh at how ridiculous it is. Kanaka who like malty beers will be disappointed, as this beer is not balanced between hops and malts. This beer is balanced by setting a roasty mouthfeel against hops, and balancing the aggressive hops with earthy hops. 

On Deschutes website it states that it took the brewery 22 experimental batches to get the right combination. I believe this is probably true. Overall this is a well crafted IPA-like CDA.

Grade: A

Barrel Man says,

"As dark as a 

well-digger's hole

on a moonless

winter solstice."

(Bottle purchased at Liquor Collection)

Deschutes Brewing Co. -- Red Chair Northwest Pale Ale

Deschutes Red Chair Northwest Pale Ale is brewed with seven malt varieties and has a citrusy hop bite.

Review:

This copper colored ale pours perfectly clear and carries a light, very white, head. The aroma is very complex with both citrus and grass notes mixing with a malty Munich malt nose. The mouthfeel is more reminiscent of IPA's than a pale ale. Nice flavors including honey and roasted malts are mixed in, and the roast character is more dominant that I would have expected from the color. The hops are quite bracing.

(Side Note: Red Chair NWPA is named after the oldest operating lift at Mt. Bachelor.. in Central Oregon.)

Overall:

I didn't assume that I would like this beer. I guess the name Northwest Pale Ale made it sound like it was going to be a Widmer beer or something of that caliber. Instead I found a beer that I thoroughly enjoyed. I wish I had a case of this to drink!

Grade: A

 

Barrel Man Says,

"I wish I had a barrel

of this beer!"

(Bottle Purchased at Liquor Collection)

Deschues Brewing Co. -- Green Lakes Organic Ale

Deschutes Brewing Co's, Green Lakes Organic Ale is an easy drinking ale perfect for having with a meal. 

5.2% ABV and 45 IBU's

Overview:
Green Lakes pours a redish copper color and has a very thin, 1/8" thick head. Even at refrigerator temperature this beer has aromas of crystal malts, citrus hops, and a slightly earthy note. This beer has medium carbonation. Hop flavors include lemony, spicy, and a slightly sharp hops. The malt profile is like a very light flavored brown ale.

(Side Note: This beer is made with 80% Salmon Safe hops. (In Hawaii terms, it's like saying that this is 80 percent certain not to harm the Ahi.)

USDA organic, certified by Oregon Tilth... Probably the cheapest organic beer in Hawaii.

Review:

This beer is quite tasty. Simply labeling this as an "ale" is a pretty good move because it doesn't really have any flavor components that would fit it in a more specific category. Overall, this is a "beery" beer with a west coast swing.

GRADE: B

 

Barrel Man Says,

"If no can, no can..

if can, buy organic."

Deschutes Brewing Co. - The Abyss

 

Deschutes Brewing Co.. THE ABYSS

Ummm... This beer is famous. If you don't know about it, you probably don't like dark beers. When it is released, the brewery throws a party. When I see it, I buy it.

This will kick your ass with an 11% ABV, and  65 IBU's

Review:
I enlarged the photo so that you could look at the color of that head. It's kinda dark! I'd call it a toffee color. The aroma is composed of roasted malts and caramelized sugar. The flavor starts as toffee/caramel/chocolate, but as it warms you start tasting some chocolate covered cherries. Then, as you sip, enjoy, think, sip, smell, stare, sip, slouch, sip, slouch further, sip again, all the while warming your beer, you start to taste some nice vanilla notes. If, as a child, you liked to mix up your neapolitan ice cream, you will love this. If you like dark beers, you will love this. If you like complex beers, you will love this.

(Side Note: the bottle informs you that this beer is best after 11/15/11. That's right... next year! I can confirm that aging these for a year or two increases the complexity. By two, keep one for next year!)

Overall Impression:
Great dark beer. I endorse this quote from the bottle:
"It's dark. It's deep. It's mysterious. This imperial stout has immeasurable depth inviting you to explore and discover its rich complex profile. The flavor of this special brew draws you in further and further with each sip. The Abyss beckons. Enjoy the Journey."

Grade: A

(bottle purchased at Whole Foods, Kahala Mall)