Descender IPA - GoodLife Brewing Company & Bier Hall

Murrhey

Montana

3.66/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Purchased at Portland's Belmont Station for $4.98. Poured from a bomber into a conic pint glass in high elevation Libby, Mont.

A- Two and a half finger cream-colored head. Surprisingly long retention, lasts several minutes. Murky orange color with middling clarity. Thick fluffy lacing as the head descends.

S- Citrusy, tropical, West-coast hop smell. Fruity, floral and fragrant. Pineapple and sugary bits. Very sweet and floral aroma.

T- Fresh, not too bitter, not to sweet. Has great qualities on both sides of the IPA scale. Nice flavor. Slightly sour, actually.

M- Medium bodied, wet, slightly sticky.

O- Nice IPA from GoodLife. Bend is a great scene right now.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 04:26:13 | More by Murrhey

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

3.94/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Appearance. Pours a clear gold-amber with two fingers of pale yellow tinted head.

Smell. Sweet oranges, grapefruits, mango and papaya. Some toasted malts in the back, but mainly getting the signs of a citrusy hop bomb.

Taste. Grapefruits, oranges and tropical fruits along with a bit of cedar and sweet toasted malts. Some grapefruit rind bitterness in the finish.

Mouthfeel. Medium body, slightly sticky, medium (or slightly lower) carbonation.

Overall. A fine IPA with lots of citrus and tropical fruit flavours. Diggin' it.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 01:50:02 | More by Rutager

beertunes

Washington

3.08/5  rDev -26.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Served in straight pint glass. Poured a semi-cloudy orange-yellow color with 1/2 inch of off-white head that had low retention and good lacing.

The aroma was a relatively subdued blend of citrus and pine hops, with just a bit of base malt showing through. On the tongue, the situation was the same, mostly those hops, with just a bit of malt, not enough for balance.

The body was a bit on the the light side, again, a lack of malts, and had a nicely dry finish. Drinkability was good, I finished my pint easily enough, but was ready to move on after it. Overall, an OK example of the style, average. Probably worth a shot if you see it, but probably not worth seeking out.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2013 19:23:08 | More by beertunes

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Received as an extra in a trade and poured into my Duvel tulip. Bottled on 1/22/13

A - Pours a nice lazy dark orange/gold with a two finger creamy white head that fades to leave a thin blanket and light side lacing.

S - Very nice aromas here. Very good grapefruit notes with some light pine as well. Good caramel notes here and malty sweetness. Pretty straight forward, but well executed.

T - Like the nose, this is straightforward and well executed. Faint, faint bready yeast, light caramel malt sweetness, more of the bitter grapefruit peel and hints of pine. Not too bitter on the finish either. Very well balanced.

M - Mouthfeel is very nice and crisp. Nice carbonation here, works super well for the style/balance.

O - Overall, was pleasantly surprised by the beer. I LOVE getting fresh IPAs, just love it. This was a solid representation of the style and was very well executed.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 21:41:18 | More by rudzud

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle into a nonic pint glass.

A: Pours a hazy copper color. The head is a two finger offwhite shade with many of the usual characteristics in an IPA (okay retention, good texture, nice patchy lacing on the glass). Pretty standard IPA appearance.

S: The hops bring both a good deal of grapefruit peel/flesh, and permutes into a piny, peppery aroma after opening up some. Caramel malts provide the backbone. Very good, especially considering it seems to be a typical "crystal malt and pine hops" IPA I'm oh-so-used to on the right coast.

T: I'm really enjoying the grapefruity hops that open the palate up. As the flavor progresses, it shifts from grapefruit to bright, piny qualities on the finish and aftertaste. The malt profile helps to keep things in check without overpowering. While it doesn't really have any standout qualities to it, the finesse and refinement of the execution is what makes this a great IPA.

M: It's thick and creamy, yet dry all at the same time. Hop resins accumulate on the palate to a very pleasant level. There's just something about it that gives an incredibly 'bright' feel to it.

O: It's not particularly unique, but the execution here is top-notch. The beer of the month club I got this from has been WILDLY hit-or-miss so far (emphasis on miss), so I'm finally glad to receive a really good beer from them.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 23:29:11 | More by ThisWangsChung

Hoptometrist

Oregon

4.4/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served from the bottle into a nonic glass

A- Poured a semi-hazy orange color with some visible carbonation, big fluffy white ice cream like head that left tons of chunky, dense lace

S- Lots of bitterness in the aroma, strong pungent grapefruit, some citrusy and piney hops,

T- Lots of orange citrus and pine, some pungent grapefruit, little bit of tropical hops, some caramel malt. Big hop bite and bitterness to this one. The hops and bitterness linger longer after the sip, which I enjoy a lot in an IPA

M- Very dry, moderate to high carbonation and still very very smooth. Great mouthfeel

O- This is a really solid IPA that is really unlike any I have had recently. This is a lot more bite and bitterness than a lot of the sweeter and fruity IPAs dominating the market as of late. Tons of hop flavor in this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 04:59:22 | More by Hoptometrist

inlimbo77

Delaware

3.96/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

22oz, no date
Riedel tulip

A: Pretty much clear orange color. With aggressive pour I got about a finger of slightly off white head. Faded pretty quickly into just a collar of bubbles. Some lacing sheeting.

S: Smells pretty darn good. Good amount of mango and citrus like hops. Some of that orange marmalade character. Light balance from malts behind it.

T: Up front you get a sharp pinch of bitterness from the hops. It actually faded out quickly. Tasting those fruity hops in the mid palate for balance. Definitely some pine and that orange marmalade. Finish is dry with some hop carry over.

M: Medium bodied.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 18:16:32 | More by inlimbo77

DenverLogan

Colorado

3.81/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

From 22 oz bottle, shipped from Letspour. Poured in Corsendonk chalice.
Pours a dark gold color...big head of various size bubbles.
Aroma of pine, plain scones, citrus hops, grass.
Significant carbonation...bold mouthfeel.
Flavors of rich malts and hops...slight citrus, white grapefruit, sourdough bread, white and black pepper, slight cream of tartar, minerals, peppercorn, rosemary, alcohol. Slight mouth puckering bitter bite, rich malts, slight sweetness, dry finish. Good, but not something I would crave...it could well taste a bit different if sitting at the brewery tasting room.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 03:21:01 | More by DenverLogan

philbertk

Washington

4.1/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz. Bottle purchased at Chuck's 85th Hop Shop for $4.59 + tax. Almost no lace no head wispy very thin white head. Clear pretty bright thin orange gold color. Huge grapefruit citrus aromatic hop front is wonderful without being too much. Light sediment dusting hazes brew at end of pour. Medium light textured refreshing very drinkable mild sweet citrus pine mild fruit crystal malt clean tasty NW IPA body. Dry mildly bitter rich citrus clean end. Very nice clean NW IPA. (4.0 / 5.0).

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 02:02:29 | More by philbertk

vkv822

Oregon

3.93/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz : tulip
bottled on: 11/19/12

Clear golden-orange with a foamy, off white head.

Resiny and juicy, citric hops. Light biscuit malt backing, faint toffee in both the aroma and taste.

Medium+ body with medium carbonation.

A well done IPA, makes me interested to try other offerings from this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 09:02:16 | More by vkv822

mdaschaf

Washington

4.35/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a bottle to try, great price at $4.25 for a bomber.

A: Pours a slightly hazy orange color with a large, foamy head - about two fingers in height. Sort of a beige color. Nice head retention, leaving a good sized cap on top and nice lacing down the sides.

S: Nice and juicy aroma, filled with tropical fruits - orange, orange rind, and a bit of grapefruit. There is a little bit of caramel and toffee malt mixed in.

T: In your face hoppy. Most citrus fruits, pineapple grapefruit, orange, and plenty of zest. A hint of pine in the middle with some caramel and a slight malty sweetness as well.

M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation, nice bitterness on the finish.

O: A solid IPA from GoodLife, look forward to trying more of their offerings.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 23:23:17 | More by mdaschaf

Mages64

Washington

4.55/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Serving from bottle into 16oz tulip.
A: great straw color with hints of amber, amazing lacing, and little carbonation visible.
S: smells like a little simcoe and/or summit. onions, weed, grass, pine, and more weed.
T: nice sweet melon and citrus mixed with bitterness from the hops. fantastic hop profile.
M: smooth, sticky and full bodied. light carbonation
O: A stunning ipa worthy of the PNW. more please

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 01:57:57 | More by Mages64

Dope

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a cloudy pale orange with a nice big effervescent white head adorning it. Fades slowly with excellent head retention (nice island floating around forever). Fluffy bits of lacing all over the place.

S: Wow, nice pungent and juicy hop aroma up front. Tropical fruit abound. I get some orange, tangerine, pineapple and grapefruit. Mild caramel malt helps sweeten it up a bit.

T: Again, strong west-coast style hops right in your face. I get a ton of resin along with the tropical fruits mentioned in the aroma. Maybe even some mild pine towards the middle once the caramel kicks in. Nice sweet caramel malt prevents this from becoming an over-the-top hop bomb. The caramel fades towards the finish, leaving lots of resin and some mild juicy tropical fruit. Long lasting lingering resin bitterness in the aftertaste.

M: Medium bodied, slick and oily. Lots of lingering hop oils for sure.

O: Stunning IPA from a brewery I've never even heard of. Nice variety and strength of hops. Not ridiculously bitter but it's still quite a nice punch. Borderline DIPA in my opinion. Absolutely wonderful IPA though, definitely seek it out if you have access to this one.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 05:43:09 | More by Dope

dirtylou

Washington

4.48/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bomber

appearance: served in a hilliards can-pint, clear dark copper body, thick white foam - solid retention

smell: tangerine, orange peel, fresh and clean

taste: fantastic ipa - really beautiful orange and tangerine zest flavors, a touch of pine, cracker malt, touch of mango. Lots of promise for GoodLife

mouthfeel: on point, moderate bitterness, great flavor profile

overall: solid solid stuff

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 02:34:59 | More by dirtylou

jdense

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle obtained from The Beer Mongers PDX, shared with neighborhood beer buddy 9.12.12.

Deep gold body, multiple streams of rising bubbles under two finger pure white head, medium dissipation with good lacing. Citrus and tropical notes in the nose, clean malt bill. Taste mirrors nose, good amount of not too assertive bitterness on back end to keep your attention, fruitiness more pronounced as it fully warmed, very well balanced. Mouthfeel medium, fairly dry finish, above average effervescence. Extremely drinkable. Nice job by one of Oregon's emerging young brewers, Curt Plants, will stand up against the best of NW IPAs. Worth seeking out, highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2012 13:58:27 | More by jdense

IllNate

British Columbia (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a very appealing medium amber with the perfect amount of foamy off-white head and great retention. Familiar citrus hops, with some pine and floral hop as well. Malt doesn't really show well in the aroma, but there is a slight caramel and bready tone. Taste follows with a whack of hops, citrus, pine and floral. Citrus takes on a tangerine pineapple character. Very bitter (bottle says 70 IBU), would like to see the comatose. Malt shows better here, but the hops rule with an iron fist. Mouthfeel is puckering and bitter, but smooth other than that. Overall a fine IPA, although I usually don't go for things this hoppy, very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 04:25:39 | More by IllNate

velosuds

Oregon

4.43/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

From a 22 oz. bomber from Franklin's Bottle Shop in Salem, OR. Paid $6.00. Recommendation of the proprietor was worth the extra cost over price in other locations. A very trustworthy recommendation.

A-Pours a gorgeous golden-orange color with a two+ finger, egg shell white head with exemplary retention and copious, sticky lacing. Beautiful appearance.

S-Floral and citrus hops are wonderfully fragrant with some resinous pine aroma. The aroma is very pronounced and pleasant. Centennial, Cascade are noted, but this is the first time I have knowingly had a beer brewed with Galaxy. Chinook (bittering mostly I suspect) and Warrior complete the hop bill. Very well done.

T-Very well balanced yet complex. Grapefruit and piney hops are seemingly subtle and aggressive at 70 IBUs but are blended beautifully by delicate malt sweetness from an interesting and varied grist. According to the website the grains are: NW Two Row, Bonlander Munich, Melanoidin, Crystal 60, Carafoam. First time I have seen Carafoam. As have other reviewers, I too note an intriguing creaminess that makes this PNW IPA stand about from the crowd. I know some brewers have been adding Victory malt to IPAs (odd in my opinion), but GoodLife has come very close to a home run with this. Cliche's notwithstanding.

M-A tad light and thin and perhaps under-carbonated, which is odd since the CO2 release upon cap removal was quite pronounced. Otherwise an exceptional beer.

O-Very drinkable, and reasonably priced. Seen offered in Salem for as low as $3.99.

This may be the best Oregon brewed IPA I have drunk. If others agree, this is quite an accomplishment for a young brewery. Very well done GoodLife.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 06:47:17 | More by velosuds

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.98/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Black Raven pint glass. Pours a medium coppery amber with a half finger off-white head with good retention and some lacing. Nice aroma of piney hops, bready malt, citrus and pineapple. Flavor follows with pine and citrus hops supported by a nice malt body, citric and hoppy finish. Medium bodied with some creaminess, nice mouth feel. This is a very nicely made IPA and one that I will return to. Possibly one of the best deals out there for a $4 bomber.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 02:55:37 | More by LiquidAmber

Reidrover

Oregon

4.08/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle from "Lifesource" in S.Salem,Oregon $3.99 Typical orange body for an IPA but with a very large thick and bubbly creme coloured head. Fine and strong hop aromas spicy,fruity and pine like..very nice. Taste typical deep ,dank PNW style..but has an intresting creaminess just below the surface.Thats makes this less a hop monster and more approachable and even balanced. Nice palate though i think this could have used more carbonation. Odd IPA at once typical then very untypical in that the creaminess makes this so easy to gulp. I liked it though maybe on my next trip to Bend i can taste it at the source

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 22:20:24 | More by Reidrover

coastiefish

Oregon

4/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 into an imperial pint glass

A - A nice inch of big bubbled frothy head with nice carbonation in a hazy orange/amber color. Inviting and playful

S - Smells are great. Tropical, orange zest, tangerine, touch of sweet candy

T - Very forward hop profile, big in the front, mellows out quite quickly. Sweet sugary finish. Big pine, hop flower taste. Except for the bittering hops, doesn't hang around long much. Gets a tiny bit boozy after sitting for a bit.

M - Creamy and carbonated with a dry finish

O - The nose on this is awesome. I like that the malt lays down a foundation, but doesn't make its presence known. It's a big fun hop-fest filled beer, but perhaps that (sugary -candy) sweetness is just a a bit too much to drink a couple pints of this is a sitting.
I'd suggest this to a friend who digs IPAs for sure as its a good one to try.
And I'd love to find it on tap sometime, I would give it a go for sure.

Edit: It gets better through a good long time with the 22. (just bumped up the overall.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 06:51:58 | More by coastiefish

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.33/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pured a nice golden color with good carbonation presenting a nice white cap, bubbles and moderate lacing

S: Instant orange peel, light grapefruit ut very pungent

T: Starts with orange peel, som grapefruit and hop oils, turns a bit resinous with additional citrus and finished somewhat clean with a nice bitterness

M: Well carbonated, medium body, loads of flavor to keep the palate happy

O: Pretty darn good overall.

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2012 12:28:51 | More by barleywinefiend

flexabull

California

4.1/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a bright and hazy gold color with a large white head.

Aromas are nice, a mixture of pine, orange, and grapefruit.

Taste is hoppy, bitter and dry. Starts out with some notes of grapefruit, then settles into a bitter, pine like bite. Finish is really dry, and a touch of hard candy sweetness creeps in.

Mouthfeel is snappy, crisp, and dry. About right for an IPA.

Overall, a very nice IPA. It's quite bitter, almost puckeringly so, but I like it a lot. Not quite up to Boneyard quality when comparied to other Bend IPAs, but not too far behind. Plus the price was very fair at $4 for a bomber.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 21:30:02 | More by flexabull

CascadiaGrokker

4.65/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bought a 22oz bottle in Salem, Oregon and poured into a tulip.

A- Dark orange/amber color. Kind of cloudy or hazy with a 1 inch off white head. Sufficient lacing and retention.

S- Citrus, pine, cotton candy, tropical fruit. Smells freaking delicious!

T- Fantastic hop flavors similar to the smell. Started off with the pine, moving to grapefruit/citrus, then onto tropical fruit flavors before finishing where it began with more sweet pine.

M- Not oily. Not dry. Smooth with a good amount of carbonation.

O- A very enjoyable Oregon style IPA. There are an assortment of flavors, all delicious.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 02:49:48 | More by CascadiaGrokker

Scotchboy

Idaho

4.28/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bomber poured into a Sam Adams Perfect Pint.

A: Hop-hazed sunset gold topped by a billowy white head with good retention and lacing.

S: Instant hops, pretty massive grapefruit aromas with plenty of peach, mango and other tropical fruits, sweet orange, citrus peel, pithy as well with an herbal edge...faint pine too. Minimal malt presence.

T: In line with the nose, with a good medium bitterness level and sticky dryness...grapefruit, orange rind, sweet pine, herbal hops, hop oil, hemp seed, lingering dryness.

MF: Great body, not too dry or too bitter, moderate feel, lingering dryness, smooth carbonation.

O: Hop profile is exactly what I like. Bought this on a recommendation and don't regret it at all.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2012 18:38:36 | More by Scotchboy

JohnGalt1

Idaho

4.33/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up at the COOP tonight for about $5... Poured into my slim tulip.. Good looking foamy white head has great retention and lacing ... the brew is fairly clear pale orange.

Nose shows tangerine zest and tropical fruity hoppiness... slight pale malt presence.

Flavor is nicely dry... expected for a PNW IPA... light bitterness up front melts in a fruity hoppiness mid-palate that lingers forever...

Good body for the style... nice carbonation.

Surprisingly good.. very refreshing... I should have taken advice and hit GoodLife when I was in Bend recently.... Will certainly make the stop next time.

4/4/4.5/4/4.5

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 05:54:50 | More by JohnGalt1