Deschutes Hop Henge Experimental IPA

Brewed by Deschutes Brewery
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Bend, Oregon USA

Pours a amber color with a tall lingering head. Full nectar with excellent carbonation creates a soft, creamy mouthfeel. This is not as sweet as most and that goes a long way with me. I have to say after weighing all attributes, this beer is a classic.I want for nothing from this brew except for an explanation of why it’s labeled an IPA. As for IPAs go it’s the bomb exhibiting superb balance and structure. As for IIPAs go it’s not as burly as most but it does deliver the crunchy hop infested palate driver that you would expect from an Imperial. Eight way this brew is a classic. Blows away AleSmith in overall componentry.

depp orange pour with a sticky beige head. Aroma of pine, grapefruit, oranges, and a touch of alcohol. Flavor is intense! Hops, hops, and more hops! Wow, ok this should be in the Double IPA category, no way is this a run of the mill IPA. The hops are relentless. Sticky oily resinous hops with notes of pine, and citrus. Wow, VERY bitter finish. An intense beer. I’m not getting much malt, this seems pretty one sided to me, its just thrashing my taste buds. Hop head seek this beer out!! i love it!

22 oz bottle via Hagen. Pours a semi hazy copper with a large beige head. Nose is malty with some herbal and pine hoppiness. Taste starts a little sweet then quickly turns to a pine/grapefruit explosion with a hint of apricot and berries, then back to grapefruit and ending with a nice lingering pine finish, that sticks to the tongue for a good minute or so before demanding another long sip. Mmm this is good stuff. Great stuff. Chilled for 30 minutes from cellar to freezer, so about 55f seems to be a very nice temp to bring out a lot of flavors. I THINK i am tasting some Chinook, Cascade and Centennial hop flavors here, but who knows it seems very complex. Body is medium, carbonation is perfect. Alc very well hidden, i would not guess it was almost 9% if i hadn’t read the label. World class stuff and an experiment that has passed muster!

22 oz. bottle from South Bay. Pours dark orange with a creamy white head. Aroma of pine, grass, pineapple, tangerine, and grapefruit. Flavor is much of the same; big hop bitterness of grapefruit and pine with a nicely balanced sweetness not found in most West Coast DIPAs. Incredibly drinkable. This is outstanding stuff.

Piney aroma clouded light brown color super smooth medium weight creamy body

Damn good IPA! The acid and floral notes of the hops are well balanced with the malt.

22 oz. bottle served in tulip- poured darkened amber with brown (think of unfiltered freshly pressed apple cider) color, low if any carbonation, white ring around the glass. Aroma of caramel, some candi sugar, hops, malt... all the good things in life. Hits the mouth with a high-medium body, malt has a pleasant sweetness intertwined with it and it all holds up swimmingly to the finish. The middle of the tasting displays the hops coming out of the woodwork- finish is slightly acidic and still has plenty of hop bite after the last swallow enters your gullet. Wave that finger because this one is a HOME RUN!!!

22oz. Pours a nice amber with a foamy off-white head. Lots of citrusy and flowery hops in this very fresh aroma that make me anticipate the flavor. Great smooth maltiness with a constant hovering hop bitterness, finishing with a little bit of sweet malt. A little lingering hops. Certainly one of the smoothest and creamiest palates I’ve experienced, as well. Definitely a top-notch beer.