Deschutes Hop in the Dark
Alcohol by Volume: 6.5%
Find this beer and more at Full Throttle Bottles in Georgetown!

Intro: You can call the style Cascadian Dark Ale (C.D.A.) as Deschutes does, or call it a Black IPA like many other breweries. I’ll leave that argument to others. Whatever you call it, the style has quickly become one my favorites as it offers the hop flavors I love so much along with a more complex dark malt base than your typical pale ale. I think the first example of the style that I personally remember trying was the Laughing Dog Dogzilla, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

Description: Pours a very dark brown, but not quite black with big head. Big aroma of citrus pops out of the glass along with some sweet malt. Definitely a hint of things to come. Taste is a mix of coffee and dark roasted malts, along with a bit of citrus and a strong finishing bitterness. The hops shine in the aroma, but the malt leads in the taste. Deschutes does a fantastic job of bringing this beer together, and it’s one of the best examples of the style I’ve had the pleasure of drinking. Very sessionable, and I’m wishing I didn’t share this bottle with Jeanne (just kidding…kind of!).

Verdict: Find at all costs
Availability: Available in 22oz bottles through September

Brewery Website
Ratebeer Info
BeerAdvocate Info

Commercial Description/Press Release:

Can an IPA be black? Semantics aside, this noir version adds deep roasted malts to alter the hue and slightly smooth the edges. What emerges is something deeper, less orthodox, and all its own.

“We’ve brewed 22 batches of this beer at both our Bend and Portland pubs, experimenting on our customers as we perfected the recipe,” said Brewmaster Larry Sidor. “This beer has subtle coffee undertones born from a blend of oats with dark, Munich and crystal malts. Classic IPA flavors and aromas are due to courageous additions of Cascade, Citra and Centennial hops.”

Take the plunge – a hop, if you will – into this new Cascadian Dark Ale. Many may never even try to swim for shore.

In the interest of full disclosure to satisfy the FTC’s law, this review was of a sample bottle received from the brewery.