One of the things I’ve always found fascinating about craft brewers is the seemingly endless desire for experimentation. It’s not enough to simply brew a pale ale, lager, pilsner or IPA. There is a strong drive to innovate, to try new flavors and styles.
Such is the case with Deschutes Brewery, a leader in the craft beer industry for 25 years. Deschutes recently released two new brews from its Bond Street Series, which originated as experiments with different styles at the flagship pub on Bond Street in Bend Oregon. It now features the most popular results from all their pubs. Both of the new releases are IPAs.
“Hop in the Dark,” the result of 22 experimental brews in Deschutes Bend and Portland pubs over more than a year is what might be called a black IPA, though Deschutes calls it a Cascadian Dark Ale. At 6.5% ABV, it also sports 70 IBUs. It reveals floral, spicy pine, and coffee notes in the aroma. A rich, roasted caramelized character from a combination of malts (Pale, Munich, Crystal, Chocolate, Chocolate Wheat, Black Barley, Flaked Oats, and Toasted Oats) is offset with citrus and given structure on the palate from the hops (Nugget, Citra, Mosaic Northern Brewer, Centennial, Amarillo, and Cascade).
“Fresh Squeezed,” as the name implies, is all about citrus, notably from the citra, nugget and mosaic hops. Mild malt notes from Pale, Crystal and Munich malts provide a nice accent. The beer comes in at 6% ABV and 60 IBU. Refreshingly lively for summer sipping, it finishes with an uplifting bitterness.