Fresh Hop Mirror Pond - Deschutes Brewery

Humulus85

Minnesota

4.83/5  rDev +23.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A "fresh hop" version of one of my favorite Pales...how could I not buy it? Poured from a 22oz bottle into my Darkness snifter for effect.

Dense, 1" off-white head. Decent retention never quite settles and some damn epic lacing. It's a slightly hazy orangey honey color. Very nice looking brew.

I love this smell. Super fruity and a bit piney. All hops. Best smelling Pale I've ever smelt.

Wow, this is a hopped up version of Mirror Pond. If the story on the bottle is true and this is what fresh heirloom Cascade hops taste like...well keep it coming Deschutes! Fruity, spicey, piney; it hits all the notes. Super clean and crisp. Nice.

Mouthfeel is still lighter than a good IPA, but there are more hop oils involved here. Well carbonated and super drinkable.

Overall, I really liked this brew and I don't fully understand why people are not as impressed with it as I was. One must remember to try and compare this to the original Mirror Pond and other Pale Ales. This is no Surly Wet, and it's not trying to be; it's still a Pale and it's one of the best I've ever had. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2011 16:56:52 | More by Humulus85

smakawhat

Maryland

4.53/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I had this in the Portland, Oregon location on tap. It is mentioned on the menu as a staff favorite.

Vintage 2010

Color and appearance: dark yellowish/brown, brewery describes it as tawny I would say its much lighter than a tawny port.

Smell: exceptional, unique, big fruit nose of apple and hops

Taste: nutty, squash, somewhat sweet, hop lingering balance in aftertaste

Mouthfeel: crisp like a white wine almost

Highly drinkable!

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2010 22:18:37 | More by smakawhat

distantmantra

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Latona Pub. Seattle, WA. Notes from December 2010.

A: Light golden in color with a small head of white foam.

S: Fragrant aroma of hops and pine and a sweet malt kick.

T: Very flowery with strong pine flavor and a hint of malt.

M: Very easy going, light body. Nice carbonation.

O: Absolutely fantastic beer that is extremely well balanced. My favorite fresh hop so far.

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2011 19:27:14 | More by distantmantra

morimech

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Clear amber color with two fingers of head that had excellant retention before settling to a thick cap. Heavy lacing is left down the glass.

The hops do not really fill the nose, but the customary citrus hints are detected. The base malt also adds some graininess.

Really enjoying the flavor. Has that fresh hop flavor without letting the IBUs getting out of control. Hop flavor is full of citrus and herbal/grass. Tastes green. Without the bitterness creating havoc on the palate, more malt and other subtle flavors can come through.

Perfectly carbonated, lighter ale. For a 5% ABV ale I am satisfied with the heft.

This is the way I prefer my wet hop/harvest ales. It taste like fresh hops. This and Brau Brothers Hundred Yard Dash are my favorites.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 21:50:17 | More by morimech

Efay

Illinois

4.49/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Deschutes took Chicago by storm this past month, and I was lucky to go to numerous tasting sessions that had all their brews out. I feel that I was trying too many brews at once to give it a full review, so now I got a sixer and see how this pale ale is on my palate.

A- Bright, transparent, sort of a blood orange type of hue. Lots of head retention that is nice and frothy. Lots of lacing is left behind.

S- Such a wonderful tangerine smell, with copious amount of honey that make this smell so sweet. Lastly you smell a light malt smell that goes great with the honey. You can barely smell any hops here, as some pine barely makes it through.

T- Initial light bitter, piney hops, that turns right into a sweet malt flavor that dominates my palate. I love malty beers so I may be biased. Tastes of honey biscuit, tangerine, and light grapefruit just come together to make a very solid beer.

S- Light body and light carbonation makes this beer go down fast.

O- I know hops are the craze nowadays, but this is my go to APA. This beer goes back to the basics with light amounts of hops and a nice sweet taste that goes down great.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 03:46:30 | More by Efay

Shmeal

Oregon

4.47/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Amber, with a little bit of head that leaves wonderful lacing. Darker than the normal mirror pond i think

Aroma: Pine, citrus, and apricot. Not much malt smell

Taste: Low on hop bitterness, high on hop flavor, with pine, orange peel, and some floral hop notes coming through. I can also taste some sweet malts as well, but I have to look for it to find it.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, medium carbonation. Very smooth

Drinkability: Super drinkable, you really don't realize how quickly the bomber goes till it's gone.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2011 05:54:48 | More by Shmeal

scootpolute

Washington

4.43/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

1 Pint, 6 FL OZ. bottle into tulip glass.

A - Deep tawny color, light haze with a quite a bit of bubbly lace.

S - Spicy herbal and lightly pungent hop aroma, fruity and oily.

T - Medium crispness, hoppy palate with a big handful of malt. Big punch of oily hop pungent flavor, mild fruitiness and a malt sweetness that sneaks in towards the finish.

M - Good carbination, A bit of warmth in the end from the alcohol.

O - A tasty and balanced Pale, great with 5-Guys Burger & Fries!!

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 21:41:30 | More by scootpolute

hopfacebrew

Colorado

4.43/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Review from notes on 11/20/2011. 22oz bomber with best by date: 12/11/11.

Poured to a pint glass the beer appears an orange amber color with a nice 1 finger khaki colored hear. Good retention and some lacing. The aroma, while not overpowering, is a nice mix of citrus and piney hops. Hints of toasted barely, though mostly fresh hop character. Nice. Similarly the flavor starts off with a nice blend of the citrus and pine hops together with a medium bitterness. The hops really dominate, which is good. Tastes like what I would expect a fresh Mirror Pond would taste like at the brewery: lots of hop character. There is a residual sweetness with a lingering citrus flavor. Medium bodied and adequately carbonated. Overall, I really enjoy this beer. I would happily purchase a bottle next season.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 14:19:41 | More by hopfacebrew

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I can get a lot of fresh hop tones on this. I get some oil and a lot of leafy green character as well. Tastes like it is right off the vine. It's a nice fresh hopped ale, though it seems to fall off a bit quicker than I would hope for. A pretty good fresh-hopped ale, though I think my having other more distinct versions of the "style" have spoiled me.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 19:30:49 | More by RblWthACoz

dfillius

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass. Bottle says best by 12/11/11, I drank on 1/5/11.
A: Moderate to gentle pour yields 1/2 finger of off-white head with good retention. Hazy orange-gold liquid is pretty. I would like tighter and more copious head.
S: Caramel, lemon-lime, maris otter malt? Slight apple from yeast esters.
T: Not too old, no off flavors here. Bright and toasty. Flavors of good whole wheat bread, some herbal hop. Nice subdued and perfectly balanced bitterness is in the ESB territory. Not true to style maybe, but I enjoy it.
M: Lightly bitter. Very well balanced. Full yet not heavy.
D: Highly drinkable. ideal for an every day beer. Full flavored, easy drinking. Interesting and not overwhelming.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 00:38:41 | More by dfillius

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

4.38/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - slightly hazy bronze, solid off white head left a lot of sticky lacing
S - hoppy aromas of sweet citrus, light pine and perfume, light biscuity malt, light spicy, but generally sweet juicy smells
T - a complex hop flavour mix, i get sweet mellow citrus, spicy, earthy, and some light florals along with a biscuity malt compliment, very very tasty
M - light to medium body, medium carbonation, smooth and juicy with a light spicy and bitter finish
O - i could drink this all day, plain and simple

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 02:07:36 | More by joemcgrath27

Docer

Washington

4.35/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Roscoes in PDX during their fresh hop ale summit..

- Light golden pale... clear, well carbonated... fluffy white head...

- Huge floral and piney hops screaming out of a light golden biscuit and slightly bready sweet malt... very hop forward,

- What a damn good beer... I can see this stuff constantly dripping from the leaves of trees in heaven. Big floral and pine hops riding smoothly with the light pale malts. Very nice.

- Light bodied, slightly sticky with hops, and bubbly.

- Overall my favorite fresh hop beer I have ever had. Certainly a winner. Very hoppy... yet balanced... don't know how that is accomplished!

---
9/26/2011 from the bottle:

Appearance: (4.5)
- Big fluffy fingers of white foamy head. Settled slowly and left thick creamy lacing all over the glass. Light shiny new copper penny color, clear, and lightly bubbling.

Smell: (4.0)
- Wonderful NW hop aromas. Very pine-like, grassy, and floral. All my favorite hop characteristics. Light spice, and perhaps even a little subtle fruit in the background. Light caramel malt, and bready quality. This beer just smells super solid, and good.

Taste: (4.5)
- My my.. what a crisp fantastically fresh and hoppy beer. Wonderfully light and very balanced flavors. Grassy herbal and pine hops with a light spice and floral character. Bready biscuity light caramel malt, and just simple. What a crisp and delightful eye opening beer. Beyond solid, and sets the standard for a pale ale.

Mouth Feel: (4.0)
- Light bodied pale ale, slightly drying from the 40 IBU's, and certainly perfectly carbonated. Very easy to drink, and just the right light cloying touch.

Overall: (4.5)
- Overall almost the perfect beer. Though I can see that this could potentially turn out different each year depending on the hops, and which were used. I must say though that this years is certainly up there at the top, and is something I hope to find many more of soon. A super good NW pale ale with just the right hoppy flare.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2010 01:22:57 | More by Docer

JohnGalt1

Idaho

4.33/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 picked up last night at the COOP ... Poured into my Corsendonk goblet... great lite tan head.. the brew is lite amber/dark golden... surprisingly clear.

The nose is awesome... knock you out grassy/fresh citrus ... lite pale malt pulls everything together for a great fresh hopped brew.

Flavor mirrors the nose with an earthy hoppiness from mid palate to the finish.... hops in the end seem quite floral.. citrus blossoms.. yummy.. Malt profile comes out in the middle and helps carry the hops... lite toasty malt seems a bit nutty...

Grassy from front to back.. one of the most drinkable brews I've had in a long time.

Body seems a touch high for a 5% brew... but I am not complaining.. I dig this brew... and will buy them until they are off the shelves.

4/4.5/4.5/4/4

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 03:13:05 | More by JohnGalt1

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.28/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a 22oz bottle today, poured into my Deschutes Pint glass.

A - Pours a golden, clear orange with a large tan head. The head is composed of fine bubbles. Super long lasting retention and lots of lacing left on the glass.

S - Pine, citrus, floral tones, more subtle than I was expecting.

T - Pine, grass, citrus, floral, backed with some sweet malts.

D - Average to high carbonation, a touch heavy.

O - Super smooth and drinkable. Not as hop heavy as I was expecting.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2011 02:56:33 | More by HuskyinPDX

GilGarp

Colorado

4.22/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bomber served cold into an imperial pint glass.

Fresh Hop is a golden amber color with good clarity. Head retention is fair but a little lacing is left behind.

Aroma is hoppy but not overly so. In fact I don't see a huge difference from what I remember from the regular Mirror Pond. Good NW hop character.

Flavor is really nice with fresh, almost juicy, hops. Good caramel malt backbone provides good sweetness. Hops are citrusy and piney.

Mouthfeel is medium-light bodied and nicely carbonated. Good balance for a pale ale.

Overall a really good pale ale. I guess I would like to have it side-by-side with the year-round Mirror to really see the differences.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 03:43:34 | More by GilGarp

ngeunit1

California

4.22/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours an almost clear copper-amber color with a finger of frothy white head atop. The head fades away at a normal pace leaving behind some light lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of some piney and earthy hops, some sweet biscuit and caramel malts, and just a light touch of citrus.

T - Starts off with some light piney hops with a touch of earthiness and some bitterness. There is some sweet malt in the background. Through the middle, more rich biscuit malt comes through with some more pine hops and bitterness. The finish is a mix of pine hops, bitterness, sweet malts, and some earthy flavors that linger.

M - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels very smooth with a nice crisp and refreshing finish.

D - Very drinkable. Nice malt and hop balance and the fresh hop adds a very nice kick to the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2011 04:25:24 | More by ngeunit1

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.2/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a light golden orange with good carbonation and a small white cap

S: Fresh citrus; grapefruit, orange zest and tropical fruits

T: Either a Pale or Crystal malt. Multi layer Citrus, random hints at pine, some caramel

M: Lighter to Medium bodied.

O: Good

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2011 03:08:41 | More by barleywinefiend

grittybrews

Washington

4.2/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a thick orange-amber into a tulip with two fingers of light eggshell head. Juicy, floral aroma with hints of grapefruit and lots of pine.

Moderate carbonation and a slick but full mouthfeel. Grapefruit and tangerine up front with gentle biscuit and a long pine finish that's strong but not overly bitter.

Great aroma and finish with a light malt backbone that keeps this one really easy-drinking. I think I prefer the Deschutes Hop Trip over this one, but not by much -- really nice.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2011 04:37:52 | More by grittybrews

mudbug

Oregon

4.2/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From the dated best by bottle 12/11/11 into a standard pint glass results in a very appealing bright copper body with good clarity topped by a nice head that is somewhat short lived some lacing is there, but not much.
Aroma is pure Cascade hop flowers, wet grass and a tint of citrus, not overpowering, but straight forward.
Taste here is all about the balance, this is a American Pale Ale with crazy good hops, maltyness (sweetness) is so well balanced by the bitterness that I'm sure I'll need several doses of this to understand it's goodness. Overall a very well done beer that I'm not sure IPA lovers will get, smooth, balanced, tasty beyond the norm. Just right.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 02:31:48 | More by mudbug

GreenCard

Oregon

4.2/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: pale orange-brown, slight haze, big layer of off-white/light tan spongey foam, great head retention

Aroma: beautiful floral/fruity/citrusy hop scent with an underbelly of toasty, nutty malt

Flavor: medium malt profile with hints of hazelnut and toasted biscuits; hop flavor is herbal and mild with an ultra-smooth bitterness kicking in during the dryish finish

Mouthfeel: medium body, gentle carbonation, soft texture

Other comments: I really like Mirror Pond Ale in general. It's a great fall-back if you're in a bar or restaurant that has a limited beer selection. They usually have MPPA (at least in OR). The fresh hop version is sublime, though.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 00:12:27 | More by GreenCard

GRG1313

California

4.18/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear amber with a nice white head that fades quickly.

Nose is full, assertive and rich esters. Cooked pears and apricot. Pleasant.

Mouthfeel is medium thin but still nicely carbonated and fresh and inviting.

Flavors are light citrus and pine and not terribly assertive yet very pleasant and inviting. Very drinkable and appealing with a nice lightly bitter finish. This is not a big bold flavorful beer. Rather, this is, in my opinion, the very definition of a really good session beer, a beer for all purposes.

Finish is nicely bitter, a bit oaky and long lasting.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2011 19:56:01 | More by GRG1313

BrewerB

California

4.18/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked this up at my local Whole Foods since I enjoy trying just about anything Deschutes makes available in my area.

Pours mildly foggy orange-copper with a two-finger, off-white foam that is somewhat rocky. The head collapsed down slowly but is persisting atop the beer.

A classic American Pale Ale nose with prominent grapefruit and a mild grassy background note. Malty sweetness also present and accounted for.

Slight toasted malty sweetness forms support for the grapefruit juicy hop kicks. Medium, semi-dry finish leaves a light lingering bitterness. Malt backbone and hop flavors playing together well.

Medium-bodied, moderately carbonated.

Rarely, if ever, does Deschutes put out a beer that's anything less that good to great and this is no exception. A testament to balanced, harmonious flavors with both the sweeter malt backbone and the grapefruity/herbal hops spending equal time in the spotlight. Highly drinkable and a fine example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 05:02:16 | More by BrewerB

vande

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - beautiful, dark goldish-amber-copper color that starts with a layer of white fluffy head that quickly disappears

S - sweet hoppy resin, piney-citrus notes...fresh and reminding of warmer weather

T - YUMMY! a nice, well balanced hoppy beer that isn't overpowered by the hop smack across the face... sweet resiny hoppy goodness... kinda reminds me of two hearted..a bit..

M - nice, easy, smooth drinking...leaves a bit of a sweet after taste

O - a great beer! worth trading for, searching for, buying and trying!

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 04:17:18 | More by vande

rlee1390

Indiana

4.15/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Received via trade

A-Clear orange with a fluffy two finger head that leaves behind some lacing.

S-Yumm. Full of hop character, citrus and earthy notes.

T-Earthy hops, decent bitterness for an APA. Rather sweet.

O-I don't know what it is about fresh hop beers but they are the best. This is another fine example, glad I was able to acquire it.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2011 13:26:25 | More by rlee1390

zeledonia

Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle says best by 11 December 2011. I know this isn't as fresh as could be, but at least it's been refrigerated the whole time.

Pours a medium orange amber, quite clear, with a few bubbles rising up. One finger of off-white head fades fast, leaves some okay lacing. Pretty good, not amazing.

Smell: boom, juicy fresh hops. I like it. Really nice sweet citrus, some pine, but not punch-you-in-the-nose like an IPA. Malt base is there for support, as it should be.

Taste is quite good. Grapefruit and pine hops come through loud and clear, but nicely muted. Malts, again, are there, but just to lend the hops a hand. Light bitterness and a bit of astringency in the finish.

Medium-light body, smooth, and drying. Carbonation that wasn't visible comes through really well in the mouth. Tingly, but right where it should be - not too little, not too much.

I'm impressed. This is a very good beer, and I think it showcases the fresh hops better than many others. It's crisp and clean, with really nice moderate hop presence. Biggest complaint is that, once poured, it fades fast, especially the smell. The bottom of the glass was nowhere near as good as the top, even though I drank it fairly quickly.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2011 03:55:09 | More by zeledonia