Inversion IPA - Deschutes Brewery

TempeBeerMan

Arizona

3.98/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a nonic pint.

A - Pours a crystal clear dark copper, with a one-finger eggshell colored head. Spotty lacing.

S - Strong hoppy aroma. Pine, grapefruit, and even some malt sweetness as it warms. Smells great.

T - Lots of spruce, but not exceedingly bitter. Almost minty. Lush and juicy. Not a lot of standout or "punch" from the malt, but it does bring balance and sweetness. Make no mistake; there's quality here.

M - Body starts out full at the sip, but goes to medium by the finish. Tingly carbonation, might be a tad too much, but the most minor of flaws.

O - Really solid West Coast IPA. Most comparable to a slightly less malty Sierra Nevada Torpedo.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 23:56:24 | More by TempeBeerMan

Omnium

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Bottle > Pint Glass
A - Pours an amber color, one finger of soapy white head, medium lacing.
S - Some nice light caramel malt, pine, orange juice and lemon zest.
T - A tad too sweet on the malt, but floral and pine bitterness is the most prominent here, some mild citrus flavors as well.
M - Medium feel, a bit sticky on the end.
O - This is a solid IPA, the malt is a it much at times, but it is good.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2013 20:58:30 | More by Omnium

CFHMagnet

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is something from the haul I got recently in Colorado. Dated Best By 6/18/13.

This beer poured a nice orangey copper color with a finger of banana cream-looking head. Lacing is decently clingy.

Smells of pine and tropical fruit, light caramel and light brown sugar.

Piney, with bread and light brown sugar. Transitions into grapefruit and tropical fruit mix and pine, bitter finish.

The mouthfeel on this is medium bodied. Decently creamy. Dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2013 02:34:26 | More by CFHMagnet

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Color is a bright clear orange brown, very typical with a foamy white head and excellent lacing. Smells of bittering hops but balanced sweet malts with gram cracker and a touch of herbal tea. Taste is a bit hoppy, not palate wrecking but sweet and balanced enough to taste great. Body is excellent it balances the ABV which is up there with the big dogs. Overall I would consider getting it again it's a simple yet tasty IPA.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2013 23:05:47 | More by DrDemento456

Kmat10

Alberta (Canada)

3.89/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

355ml bottle poured into a tulip

A- Deep orange amber, two fingers of white head retains well and decent lacing

S- Sweet malts, floral and citrus hops

T- Sweet malts on the front, body is a medium smooth hop that has a sweetness, darker fruits on the finish

M- Medium bodied, clean crisp, little hop bitterness, medium carbonation

O- Very good beer, not super hoppy or bitter well balanced with sweet malts, lots of dark fruits on the finish, very easy drinking beer, another very good Deschutes beer

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2013 00:03:46 | More by Kmat10

tbdkev

Indiana

4.05/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours orange-copper with a fair amount of lacing around the glass. There's a definite orange peel/citrus aroma, with some hints of fruity/bubblegum malt flavors. It's a prelude to the flavor profile, which primarily consists of orange peel and grapefruit with some grassy notes. It gradually fades to a dry, borderline metallic bitterness, but it is pleasant nonetheless. Fairly complex and somewhat heavy compared to other American IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2013 18:47:42 | More by tbdkev

DenverHopHead

Colorado

4.3/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Yes! This is the little brother version of Lagunitas Sucks and Oskar Blues Deviant Dale's...which are both high on my list. Poured from a bottle (marked best by 7/30/13), so should be fresh, into a tulip.
Amber in color and leaves very nice lacing. Smells brilliant; nice mix of hops and sweet candy! Taste and mouthfeel aren't top of the line, but hard to find much fault. This is a solid beer and the price point makes it a must buy!!! Probably best in the early Spring or in the Fall!

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2013 01:47:19 | More by DenverHopHead

garuda

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A - Brilliant amber, mostly clear, thick off white head has great retention and lacing.

S/T/M - Pleasant hop bouquet with floral, light pine, and touches of citrus hops. Moderate bitterness. More subtle floral flavors shine well with the relatively light body. Smooth consistency, yet hops are prickly across the palate. Finishes crisp and clean with lingering pine bitterness.

O - The light body flows well with flavors and leaves me wanting to drink this more.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2013 12:48:56 | More by garuda

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.71/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Deschutes Inversion IPA has a medium, egg shell-colored head, thick lacing left behind, and a brilliant orange appearance, with a few bubble streams. The aroma is of rich citrus fruit and sweet white bread, and the flavor is of strongly bitter, floral hops, sweet citrus, slight citrus peel, white bread, and white bread crust. Mouthfeel is medium, and Deschutes Inversion IPA finishes mostly dry, fairly refreshing, quite drinkable, and most delicious. Overall, this is just a fabulous beer!

RJT

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2013 21:11:53 | More by RonaldTheriot

chinchill

South Carolina

3.91/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz bottle with a best by date of 24 July 2013.

Appearance: deep, orange-amber color with a massive, frothy, creamy, bone colored head. The head is very durable and leaves gobs of lacing.

Smell: light malt aroma with plenty of citrusy and floral hops.

Taste: the sweet malt base is apparent, but struggles to counter the hops, as the touch of sweetness up front turns moderately bitter by the finish. Grapefruit rind in the aftertaste. The hop flavors lean toward citrus and floral, but is a bit piney and herbal too.

Mouthfeel: medium body and carbonation; nicely smooth.

Overall: a robust West Coast IPA. with a relatively hefty malt component.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 06:33:35 | More by chinchill

KFBR392

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: A very dark color for an IPA. Comes off almost amber. About a finger and a half of head on the pour, was present throughout drinking. Some lacing on the glass as this one was drank.

Smell: The front is buttery popcorn and some heavy malt. Saturated and heavy hops. You can feel the syrupy texture of this brew through the aroma. No bright hops, definitely on the malty side of the IPA world.

Taste: The front is smooth malt. The body rolls into a saturated hop flavor that has a sweetness over a hop bitterness. Very little bright hop presence, there are some darker fruits on the back end. Sweet sugar really pops.

Mouthfeel: Clean, very little hop bitterness. Syrupy texture is rich.

Overall: I've always been a very bright hoppy fan, so this one really is not my style but is still a good brew. It certainly identifies itself as a malty heavy IPA, does not fall into the confusing middle ground.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2013 23:02:51 | More by KFBR392

DenverLogan

Colorado

3.38/5  rDev -14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle into St Bernardus chalice.
Copper with lots of bubbles on the side, significant head, and lace.
Aroma of sweet malts and wet cardboard. Bottle states best by 5/28/2013...a few days from now.
Moderate carbonation and mouthfeel.
Flavors of roasty malts, earthy notes, light grassy hops. Overall I'm wondering if we have some oxidation

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 05:41:15 | More by DenverLogan

WissBrauSean

Pennsylvania

4.46/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

The beer pours a beautifully clear amber coppery colour with a full 3 finger khaki head that remains as a full ring around the glass and covers the beer. The lacing pattern left on the glass is sticky and looks like polka dots.

The aroma is not as hoppy as you would think that a beer with 80 IBUs (International Bittering Units, 80 is pretty high) would have. It's definitely floral smelling from the hops, but I am taken aback by the upfront caramel malt sweetness that I smell along with honey and citrus fruits! The honey aroma is AWESOME!

The way that this tastes is more akin to a double IPA I would think because there is a really full amount of caramel malt to balance the floral hops. It's really balanced well! The caramel malts are pretty much up front and as the beer moves towards the middle of the tongue honey does come out all the while some floral hop notes are in on this ride. When the trip finishes, hop bitterness appears and the beer ends dry and in need of tipping into your mouth once again.

The mouthfeel of the beer is smooth, sweet, moderately full (as compared to something watery like Boar's Lite) with medium carbonation.

Overall I find this beer exceedingly attractive and would recommend it to anyone who likes hops. I personally have not liked hops in my craft beer adventure until this past 6 months or so. I am not a hop head and do not like extreme beers that are over the top hoppy. In saying that, I think if you only mildly like hops you may even like this beer! I am going to give this a solid 4 or better out of 5!

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 02:02:26 | More by WissBrauSean

Kastler

Washington

4.04/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Bottle poured in a chilled glass.

A - Dark amber color with a reddish tint. Very beautiful color. Minimal, about half a cm, head.

S - Strong bitter yet sweet, hoppy smell

T - At first, very strong hoppy taste. But after a sip or two, it becomes an excellent mix of hops and pine. Aftertaste is quite nice and sweet.

M - Good mouthfeel, medium to low carbonation. A low consistency.

O - Loved this beer. Any fans of IPA should try this at one point. Deschutes never fails to deliver.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 02:20:50 | More by Kastler

TTAmod

Michigan

3.71/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle with a best by date of August 7th poured into pint glass.

A: Pretty dark for an IPA; dark amber with a one finger fluffy tan head. Retention is pretty good.

S: Smell is quite malty with some citrus-y hops. Smells like caramel, flowers, orange, and grapefruit.

T: This is a pretty malty IPA...tastes a little like what a hop-faded IPA would taste like (but the hops aren't faded considering this was probably brewed about a week ago.) Nonetheless, the main culprit for this taste is probably the overabundance of roasted caramel malts, which definitely make their presence known. Don't get me wrong, there is a nice floral, citrusy hop taste, but it's being pushed around by the big malt. Becomes more bitter and hoppy on the hind end with some raw leafy hops and a lingering bitterness.

M: Deschutes usually nails the mouthfeel, and this beer is no exception. Slightly light medium body, decent carbonation, and really good smoothness makes this beer go down extremely easy.

O: An above average, but not amazing, IPA. They should have calmed down on the roasted malts and gone with something a bit more pale. I'm sure they wanted to try something a little different, but a less overpowering malt base would let the great hops in this brew come forward a lot more. Still, quite a deal at $8 for a sixer. I would definitely buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 03:11:23 | More by TTAmod

lighthabit

Oregon

4.21/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

pours a clear orange amber with a thick, gorgeous head.
beautiful lacing - i love how this looks; so inviting!
citrus/hop/malt smell, a tiny bit of yeast it seems.
citrus and hops almost explode in my mouth, hops keeping sweetness under control.
carbonation dies down a bit earlier than i'd like. nice hint of oiliness at the end, done well!
a solid beer to bring to a gathering if you know your friends are ready to move from the bmc drinks. inversion was one of my first micro tastes, and it's always nice to come back to.

update - i noticed i scored red chair a bit lower than inversion. i actually like red chair more, but i think inversion does a great job of hitting the nail on the head, so-to-speak, as an ipa.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 06:51:04 | More by lighthabit

jschwanke84

Oregon

4.15/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from bottle into pint glass. Live review.

A: Pours a beautiful clear dark amber color with a one finger creamy head. Nice lacing. Amazing looking IPA.

S: Sweet malts with herbal and floral hops. Slightly earthy with a bit of lemon. Nice balance.

T: Sweet and toasty malts with a nice hoppy finish. Floral aftertaste with a nice bitterness that lingers. Lemon citrus note that really completes the flavor. Great balance! 

M: Medium body. Very creamy texture but not sticky or chewy. A little light on the carbonation but that is a very minor defect for such a great IPA.

O: Overall this is an amazing brew. Great American IPA by Deschutes. Easy to drink and very enjoyable. Perfectly balanced sweet malts and floral hops. This is easily a go-to IPA whether on tap or in 6 packs at the store.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 03:27:01 | More by jschwanke84

mooseo

Pennsylvania

4.11/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle into tulip.

A - Bright and clear, deep amber, just beautiful. Two fingers of creamy, off-white head.

S - Light citrus, lemon, toasted malt, and floral hops.

T - Sweet toasty malts, earthy pine hops, caramel, and fresh citrus. Moderately bitter finish, with soft grains and fruity yeast notes lingering.

M - Very creamy and smooth, medium bodied. Mild carbonation.

O - There is a great balance to this beer. I love the earthy, pleasant hop profile. And it's insanely drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 02:31:50 | More by mooseo

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

3.79/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A-amber color with a nice white head and decent lacing

S-malt, pine, citrus/grapefruit, earthy notes

T-malt with slight caramel sweetness, citrusy hops, pine, earthiness, moderately bitter finish

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp

O-a decent IPA with a little more caramel malt presence than I prefer

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 18:52:15 | More by MDDMD

InlandTaipan

California

3.59/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 12 oz bottle in Santa Barbara California.

A: Beer pours with a luscious frothy head. Color is deep burnt orange/cherrywood color. Appears pretty dark for an IPA.

S: Caramelized malts are in the foreground, earthy hop aroma, subtle citrus/resinous notes.

T: Balanced bitterness with an assertive caramelized malt flavor.

M: Great texture, good carb level. just thick enough.

O: This beer was good but not up there on my list as far as IPAs go. I feel there was too much caramelized malt presence that overshadowed what hop aroma/flavor there was.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 03:01:51 | More by InlandTaipan

JesseMurdock

Hawaii

4.58/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a terrific IPA. Pours a nice copper with a thick, frothy head. Smells of citrus and floral hops. It initially tastes rich and smooth with a very malty front and a tasty array of citrusy hops. It leaves a more bitter aftertaste. Perfect amount of carbonation. The beer drinks easily but leaves a great taste in your mouth.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 22:20:35 | More by JesseMurdock

leaddog

Alberta (Canada)

4.31/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance - Pours a dark copper/amber with a finger width of foamy head.

Smell - Earthy and piney hops, caramalts, tropical fruits.

Taste - Nice hit of earthy/piney hops followed along with a balance of the malts and fruit. Good bitter finish.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

Overall - A well-executed American IPA by Deschutes. Ranks up among the top of the American IPAs that I have sampled.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 03:02:13 | More by leaddog

leokbelo

Florida

4.36/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Rich copper poured into a pint glass with a 2 inch head that slowly fades into an inch lacing.
Pine scent, from the hops, citrus and some sweetness too.
Hop bitterness at its best! Some malt sweetness again in the background. Very fresh, very tasty.
A nice example of what an American IPA should be!
Highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 02:06:37 | More by leokbelo

FlyingBull

California

4.14/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Purchased in a 6-pack 12 oz bottles at a local grocery store. Having one right now as I review it. Poured into a 12 oz Pilsner glass a clear amber color, with a small 1/2" head of white foam that dissipated within 5 minutes. Lacing noted on sides of glass.

There's a nice sweet malt aroma combined with very mild floral notes coupled with a mild or medium citrus aroma - grapefruit mostly to me.

There's a nice medium mouth feel with good carbonation. The taste is started by carmel malts followed by a moderate hop bitterness that lingers with a citrus note at the back end. Someone compared it to Stone Levitation. Close...similar in some respects; I agree with that comparison.

Overall, I think this is a very good, sound and mild west coast IPA. It's very drinkable and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 04:35:29 | More by FlyingBull

Sark

Montana

3.98/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Appearance- bright copper with a tan 2 finger head bursting with aroma, wonderful swirling carbonation, head laces and craters on the way down

Smell- Sweet pale malt balanced with big citrus hops spicing it around the edges inviting you to take a sip, apples too

Taste- the sweet malts hit on the front while hops balance mid palate, a touch of booziness aftertaste

Mouthfeel- malty feel for an IPA helps it smooth a bit, medium-bodied, carbonation tickle

Overall- Easy drinking IPA that doesn't try to be extreme, quite enjoyable and at a great price

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 23:32:20 | More by Sark