Inversion IPA - Deschutes Brewery

tahoebum

California

4.63/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

This is one of my favorite IPA's from maybe my favorite brewery. Pours a medium dark copper with a 1" head. Huge nose with lots of grapefruit and somewhat less orange. Very complex and well balanced - Deschutes has dry hopping down to a fine art. At 6.8% there is the expected defined alcohol warming - just as it should be with a big IPA. Very drinkable for 80 IBU with a note of carmel and a very subtle malt aftertaste. Exactly what I look for in an everyday beer - very hoppy but not so over-the-top that you can't drink 4 or 5 in one sitting. I'm happy to report I just loaded a 13.2 gallon keg of this into my man cave!!

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2013 01:58:31 | More by tahoebum

mattsander

Alberta (Canada)

3.15/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A: Good clarity, amber, sticky long lasting head.

S: Sweet fruity red malt up front, herbal/minty/perfume-ish hops feel restrained. Definitely a malt-forward 'IPA'.

T: Echos the aroma with a complex fruity english malt character, a coarse rough bitterness and some hop flavor.

M: Full bodied and creamy, a nice sipper but I wouldn't describe this as refreshing.

A miss for me. Just another too-malty, dull-edged IPA that are everywhere in canada.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 02:11:27 | More by mattsander

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

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

355ml bottle poured into tulip 31/12/12 happy New Year

A clear reddish copper with a thumbs width of cream colored foam that sticks around for a while and leaves lots of unorganized lace

S perfume and floral hops with some orange creamsicle and citric hops, has a sweet nose but I can't quite pinpoint what type of sugars I'm smelling

T much like the smell but I can taste some soft caramel and a little bread, not nearly as strong as the smell but still quite nice, for a West Coast IPA I was expecting less balance

M a little gritty after the fact and light bodied for an IPA but increases the drink-ability, soft carbonation and a faint spruce and citric rind aftertaste

O I was expecting more of a hop bomb but this works well, the booze is well hidden and its quite easy to drink

good example of the style, perhaps an industry standard, balanced and drinkable without wrecking your palate. I'm so stoked to finally see Deschutes on the shelves in Alberta, its just getting ridiculous at this point here in the Foothills of Alberta I'm running out of beer money

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 05:23:44 | More by wordemupg

TWStandley

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into my HF over-sized wine-glass.

Poured a deep orange/copper color with a 2 finger paper white head that left some nice lacing on my glass.

Smelled a bit sweeter than anticipated, almost a honey-like scent with some hop presence.

Taste followed the smell quite closely. A lot maltier than expected but pretty tasty. Would like a bit more bitterness.

Mouth-feel was refreshing and appropriate.

Overall, not the best IPA I have ever had, but certainly tasty and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 22:48:18 | More by TWStandley

acycler

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I love IPA"s and this one is fantastic! Extremely solid, full bodied and loaded with hop goodness!

This brew has an amber color with evidence of moderate carbonation..

Smells delicious. loaded with fresh hops that just fills the nose with hoppy goodness.

Rolls onto the tongue smooth and delicious.

Leaves a solid and full bodied taste on the tongue of caramel malt and hops.

I hope that there is just one more bottle left in the fridge.

The Bro's got it right, Excellent.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 00:47:57 | More by acycler

ummswimmin

New Jersey

3.98/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had this beer from a cask at Todd English PUB in Las Vegas. This review is from notes.

THe coloring was deep, deep red/orange with about two fingers of creamy head. This head retained well.

The nose had some nice light citrus nose on this. I can get some decent oakiness from the cask. The flavor offered a very strong, hoppy flavor.

I like the minimal malt on this beer, but the bitterness was only slightly present. There was lots of flowery hops in the body.

Overall a very good IPA from Deschutes. Not really a big surprise.

Serving type: cask

11-10-2012 00:48:49 | More by ummswimmin

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Inversion IPA has a rich amber hue with hints of ruby light. It poured with a tall head, beige that lingera a good while. Aroma is not as hop forward as I thought. Hops are light but refreshing but more malt sweetness comes through than hops. The taste is hoppy and bitter but no standout hop flavor, a mesh mash. I was thinking this would been like an WC IPA and that was my thinking but a good IPA none the less. The label and discrip. say NWIPA perhaps thats a bit different then a West coast, I don’t know. Anyway, it’s highly drinkable

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 00:16:19 | More by micromaniac129

ThePaleRider

California

3.53/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pretty dark, copper ale with a thin off-white head. Not much head retention or lacing. Crystal clear and easy to peer through.

S - Picking up strong malts and light citrus characters. Hops smell very piney and bitter.

T - Nice bitter bite that leaves me wanting more citrus flavors. Strong malts dominate my palette with hoppy, bitter after taste that smoothes out into a piney, dry taste.

M - Medium bodied with decent carbonation.

O - Nice IPA to introduce someone to the bitter flavor, but not very complex. Pretty straight forward flavors that leaves me wanting more.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 19:53:40 | More by ThePaleRider

ExtraStout

Massachusetts

3.18/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this bottle in Maui. Amber colored with a slight orange tint. Poured with a thin head. Lacing lingered for a considerable time. Definite aroma of honey and pine. Hops come through strongly. The best thing about this beer is although the flavor was hoppy as you would want, it also carried some amount of malt to try and balance it. Semi-creamy mouthfeel. As a whole, an okay IPA but not out of this world.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 23:40:51 | More by ExtraStout

JohnnyP3

Alaska

3.98/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle, best before 11/22/12. Pours a burnt orange/copper color with a thick slightly off-white head that really sticks to the sides of the glass. Looks nicely carbonated. Great lacing patterns as this IPA goes down.

Smell consists of resinous hops and some biscuity malt. Hints of pine and or citrus and some grassy notes. Almost a hint of caramel.

Taste features a good balance between the malts and hops. Not as much citrus in the taste. Some orange peel and hints of tropical fruit. A relatively even keeled IPA. Lacks a zinging hop bite, but extremely well balanced with a good malt backbone. Some nice sweetness with the hints of caramel. Finishes somewhat dry with some residual bitterness. No hint whatsoever of the 6.8% abv in the taste. Goes down effortlessly.

Mouthfeel is one of the better in the IPA department. Very smooth and substantial. Good hop oil action produces some slickness.

Overall, a well crafted, quality IPA.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 02:04:23 | More by JohnnyP3

barnzy78

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle, best before 11/6/12
Pours darker than expected - hazy deep copper with a fluffy beige head that holds great retention and leaves all kinds of lacing on the glass. Aromas are malty, bready, caramel, faint tropical hop notes - might have been bolder hops on the nose if this was fresher? Tastes include lots of bready malt, brown bread crust, caramel, piny and spicy hop, pungent grapefruit rind, lingering bitterness with resiny pine oils sticking to the palate with some burnt caramel on the finish. Bitterness builds with each sip taken. Mouth-feel is creamy, smooth, medium body, with nice carbonation. This is definitely a quality IPA, but i think this is getting close to being past its prime. I want to try a fresh one sometime.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 01:55:01 | More by barnzy78

GossageBrewery

Missouri

4.18/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured this 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. This American IPA poured a hazy copper color, darker then most AIPA's, produced a thick white head, featured excellent retention and left an average amount of lacing on the glass. The aroma was full of piney/citrus notes, malted grain and caramel were also present. Medium in body, this ale has a base of sweet toasted malted grain, caramel and an aggressive amount of hop addition. The mouthfeel is off the carts, one of the smoothest AIPA's that I have tried to date. Looking fwd to trying more offerings from Deschutes.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 20:30:36 | More by GossageBrewery

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

4.1/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A 12oz bottle with a BB of Oct 2012. Picked up not too long back at the GBBF in London. The label promises paradise for hop-lovers - mmm.

Poured into a Delirium chalice. A hazy reddish-marmalade hue with good carbonation and layers of fine yeast sediment. Yields a huge head of creamy off-white foam with good retention; this slowly subsides to a patchy surface layer. Aroma of intense hops: a spicy mélange of grapefruit, lime, orange peel, pine and citrus. This is underpinned by a backbone of sweet caramel malt, dry yeast and a hint of alcohol.

Tastes of hops! A smorgasbord of aromatic hops followed by a prolonged bitter finish. Notes of pine resin, grapefruit, lime, citrus, caramel, faint grain and earthy yeast. A warming whiff of booze in the background. A strident, spicy bitterness upon swallowing - dry and relentless. Mouthfeel is smooth, dry and tingly, with great body. Rather astringent - dries the palate. Aftertaste of bitter aromatic hops and caramel malt.

Wow - what a brew. I love American IPAs! A tsunami of hop notes assaults the palate, followed by a solid dose of malt. Fantastic aroma and a great flavour, though the dry bitterness perhaps outcompetes the aromatic notes. Too bad more Deschutes brews don't make their way over here. Excellent - grab one if you have the chance.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 23:29:18 | More by jazzyjeff13

buschbeer

Ohio

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

12oz bottle
Served in a souvenir pint glass at the Sheraton Dallas from notes August 30, 2012

A - It was orange/amber in color with golden highlights. I got two inches of beige head on top.

S - I got some caramel malt laced with some floral hops. I get some alcohol in there, as well.

T - I got sweet caramel malt. It actually reminded me of a hoppy red ale. It finished with mild bitterness. I also got some alcohol.

M - Medium with a little chalkiness.

O - I just kept thinking I was drinking a hoppy red ale rather than an IPA. I liked the beer nevertheless.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 00:32:02 | More by buschbeer

GoldHorde

Minnesota

2.7/5  rDev -31.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

I was really looking forward to this beer, the appearance was clean and highly carbonated; promising a great throat burn. A full glass of IPA always excites me as I anticipate a strong snout of herbal hops OR/AND the aftertaste of hops slapping your face like the Three Stooges. I got neither. I consummed the three bottles I had of it while mulling over the paradox of: an IPA without noticeable hops. By the third bottle I was obviously more forgiving - but in the end I would place this in the category of a nice "Belgian Ale".

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2012 04:05:01 | More by GoldHorde

TBoneJones

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dark rusty copper, thick finger of a head. Fades fast.
Nice light pine scent, but apple crisp seeps into my nose. Light tart fruit.
A green apple-rounded hop bouquet with fruit subtleties that blend very well.
Drying finish borderlines on vinegar, but I get sour apple. It works, even though it's not my favorite ipa profile.
Overall a solid, if not different type of IPA that has a distinct fruity acidic character, but refreshing nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 21:42:45 | More by TBoneJones

PrivateEquity

Kansas

3.98/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Great lacing that sticks around. Copper hue IPA.

S - Lighter citrus smell. A little underwhelming. Maybe it is just the day, but I am not getting as much strong smell. Caramel malt is solid.

T - Hoppy beer with a nice bitter bite. Almost a little too rough around the bite. Citrusy taste.

M - Very sold mouthfeel complements the taste very well.

O - Very good and drinkable IPA. Powerful bitter taste, that is just a little out of proportion.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 02:02:01 | More by PrivateEquity

Florida9

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deschutes inversion IPA

A: deep copper in color. Clear. Forms a small off white head that only reduces a bit, forming a thick, stable surface coating. Moderate lacing.

S: Metallic, earthy, and herbaceous. Some citrus, but it is dominated by the metallic notes.

T: moderate dry caramel malts. Strong grapefruit and pine bitterness, with another ting of the metallic.

M: medium body. Strong bitterness. Appropriate carbonation.

O: a decent, strongly bitter IPA, that is faulted by the metallic note. Otherwise decent west coast style IPA.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 21:45:47 | More by Florida9

colforbin73

California

3.6/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

to me this IPA is somewhat out-dated. it is like a hoppy red ale.... i am spoiled by dry grassy tangy west coast styles.... this is a very hearty beer and well made. but just not what i am looking for nowaddays. i suppose i should clarify ---- it is that damn SAN DIEGO.... they re-made IPA... this may be true to traditional form, though the bitterness is up to snuff. and it is right there with Torpedo.... though i would prefer neither.

pours a rich amber with a little carbonation but no real head. ***note, i am drinking this 25 days before the 'best by' date, so maybe freshness is an issue. *** the smell is good and clean, mostly piney hops.

the taste is fine, it matches the liquid, malty but with the deep piney hops. perhaps it is a mountain style... true to the northwest. evergreen, maple and pine. it is a very resiny brew, wet, oily, thick... not at all the san diego west coast style.

it;s a well made, hearty drink. i would like to drink it at the brewery or in northwest. i am here in a hot valley.... this IPA is more at home in cooler climes.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 02:26:57 | More by colforbin73

goodbeerallday

Australia

3.88/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: appearance is a clear dirt brown with near no carbonation and one finger of a very light brown chocolate coloured foam, residing to a thin crust.

S: malt driven with a seemingly hoppy backing smell to finish. Citrus notes and some bready character as well.

T: really bitter and dry at the beginning. A lingering bitterness that surrounds the tongue and sides of mouth with a slight caramel flavour. As the smell suggested a malty presence and an apparent milky cream touch. Quite unusual but in saying that quite pleasant and enjoyable.

M: a sticky residual results throughout the mouth, As though lack of carbonation in this case has been replaced by other prominent features. My tongue feels dry and overwhelmed from the front on hop character but again the creamy milk side smoothes over replenishing any unpleasant sensation.

O: an extremely unusual beverage, whether it be something discouraging the true taste as in dirty lines or maybe something else.. A bad keg? But if all is well and this is the beer even though it now sounds like im being harsh, I definitely would have again to see if the same result is present. And I look forward to bottled inversion. A beer that is perplexing to the pallet. And now im half way through the pint I want another! Try this beer! Deschutes always amazing

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2012 23:33:08 | More by goodbeerallday

BeardedBoffin

Minnesota

4.23/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This amber-colored beer is nicely covered with a cap of foam. The pine and citrus come through strongly in the aroma. This is a nicely balanced ale. The caramel malt provides a strong backbone for the hops to ride through on. The hops contribute bitterness along with a nice dose of pine notes and citrus. This is a smooth and well made IPA. Kudos to Deschutes.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 21:22:12 | More by BeardedBoffin

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a Sam Adams "Perfect Pint" glass.
Best by 10/03/12.

Appearance: Pours a deep copper amber orange with lots of rising bubbles. Huge five finger off white head with very good retention. Leaves some nice lacing around the glass walls.

Smell: A big mix of hops in the aroma. Hints of citrus grapefruit, orange peel, pineapple, mango, and lemon. Also some big hints of floral, grassy hops. Some pine resins in the mix as well. A quite noticeable malt presence here too with some sweet malts and lightly toasted grains. Hints of caramel, toffee, and biscuit. Smells big and juicy.

Taste: A pretty big taste that is actually fairly balanced between the hops and malts. Starts out with a bitter kick of hops with esters of grapefruit, oranges, lemon, mango, and pineapple. Also a big taste of floral, herbal earthy hops with some grass. A little bit of pine resin. Midway comes the sweet and bready malts and grains. Notes of biscuit, caramel, and toffee. A very good and full taste.

Mouthfeel: Body on the heavier side of medium. Carbonation is moderate. Creamy, juicy, and pretty chewy. Has a drying finish.

Overall: A pretty good American IPA. Not quite a citrus bomb West Coast style IPA, but the balance here is very nice.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 05:44:49 | More by MattyG85

bundy462

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Golden with a hint of brown. Big frothy head.

S: Floral hops and pine. Smooth malt backbone.

T: Big and bold hops. Citrus, and prickly pine. No doubt this one is a bold IPA.

M: Prickly yet smooth, medium bodied.

O: Above average IPA, bold and in your face.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 01:03:53 | More by bundy462

axeman9182

New Jersey

3.23/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle, "best by 10/31/12". It was poured into my Bruery tulip.

Deschutes' Inversion IPA pours a hazy amber, with just under two fingers of off white foam. Head retention is decent, and thick rings of lacing are left behind, but the color is just a bit dark and murky for my taste. The nose has a little bit of caramel to it, followed by some flowery and citrusy notes. Those hop aromatics just don't jump out the glass the way they should in an IPA though. There's a little bit of caramel again at the front end of each sip. The bitterness that comes through next is plenty bold, but the hoppy finish fails to deliver. It's not quite as weak as the nose, but the grapefruit peel flavor is just not intense enough. The body isn't quite west coast dry, but it's not as sweet as some more malt forward interpretations of the style either. The carbonation though is just dull, it feels like the beer fizzles out by mid palate. I'm more than a little surprised by how lackluster I find this bottle of Inversion IPA, usually I'm very fond of Deschutes beers. It honestly just tastes old to me, I'm wondering if Deschutes isn't setting the "best by" date a bit too far out from the bottling date.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 03:44:29 | More by axeman9182

hreb

Washington

3.9/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle dated best before 11/27/12. Served in pint glass. Beer pours deep orange amber with a medium orange-white head.

Aroma is mild and hints of a fresh hop presence and a substantial malt body. Flavor is seriously big on hops. Citrus zest and dry. Very west coast / PNW kind of IPA. That said, this beer isn't particularly "pale" or otherwise grapefruity like a traditional American IPA. I'd go so far as to say this is more of a imperial red ale or American strong ale. While the flavors in this big beer are very enjoyable, and there's no detectable alcohol burn, IMO the total ABV hurts drinkability of this otherwise very refreshing brew. Which is sad because it's so tasty I'd really like it to become my go-to PNW high-IBU ale. I guess what I'm saying is this is a great beer and it's a shame it's not my new session IPA. Or maybe I'm just in the mood for something a little lighter today.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2012 03:16:18 | More by hreb