So I might have to rethink what an IIPA looks like...this brew its probably the best looking beer I’ve ever seen (the liquid part that is, the head is good but is a yellowish color and just doesn’t look as pure, but since the liquid looks so amazing, its a 5). Perfectly clear golden amber. First initial smell was banana, citrus hops and slightly malty...2nd and 3rd smells I can’t smell the banana anymore. Flavor is hops of citrus and earth, malts of bread, caramel and spiciness. Very clean tasting brew that has a slight bitterness and a warm mouth feel. I really could drink this all day and night.

22oz Bomber Best by: 8/6/08 Yet another brew received in a trade with russpowell, thanks Russ! Hop Henge pours a beautiful clear copper without any visible carbonation. The head is bright white and two fingers tall on the pour. The head fell rather quickly to a skimming but left thin sheet lacing on its way with fingers toward the top of the glass. There’s not a lot of aroma right upfront but each swirl brings out the layered hop complexity. A good deal of slightly overripe pineapple is the first that comes to mind followed by lightly sweetened grapefruit and a peppery spiciness that is reminiscent of plantains. An interesting hoppiness grows on me the more I smell. All of this has a light drizzling of caramel and a mild booziness that accentuates the hop profile. The hop profile comes together more singularly in the flavor then the aroma. The caramel maltiness lays a solid foundation. The pineapple isn’t as bold as the nose suggested nor is the grapefruit. Caramel rides all the way through with the hops flashing here and there showing characteristics of each flavor described. The plantain does show itself on the swallow with a slight spiciness that the alcohol fumes intensify. Hop Henge is very unique IIPA that I’m really enjoying. The body upfront is medium but as it works through has a slight stick on the swallow. I can appreciate this kind of stick in a big IIPA. The hop profile leaves a lingering bitterness that tends to grow with each successive sip. I’m teetering between 4-4.5 so I’ll stick with the 4. This is an easy one to put away, especially when the abv is taken into account. I can already feel my cheeks warming up but it drinks as easily as I less alcoholic brew. I really appreciate Deschutes beers and this is no exception. The deeper I dive into this one the more I like the uniqueness. Hop Henge is brewed with Centennial, Cascade, and a yet to be named variety that I’m guessing adds the spiciness. Hopefully this unnamed hop gets used in other brews along the way because it’s out of the ordinary and I’d like to get to know it a little better. 5/25/08

22 oz. bottle. Clear, ruby color. Large, light tan head. Rich, malty aroma compliments the grassy hops. Moderate lacing. Flavor is a nice mixture of earthy hops and a chewy, bready malt. Finish is slightly hoppy with a touch of warming alcohol. Nice beer.

Bottle from Lee’s. A clean but non-unique aroma of clear water and hops. Flavor of the same, with very faint not-quite ripe orange and apple notes.

Dark amber body with a nice head, and it just looks really tempting. However, the aroma’s a bit skunky with a hint of grassy hops. The flavor follows through with some grass hop character. However, it’s quite subdued. I’m afraid I may have got a hold of a bad bottle or simply an old one.