Hop In The Dark Cascadian Dark Ale - Deschutes Brewery

rawla

California

3.95/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured part of a 22 oz bomber into a goblet. Bottle had a "Best by 12/30/11" date on it, but for 2.99 a bottle, I couldn't resist. I've heard this beer holds up well for a 3-4 months.

A: The beer pours out with a very nice and consistent 1.5 inch head. Not one of the darkest IPA's I've seen, but you do have a nice charred brown opacity. Impressive lacing throughout the glass that sticks around.

S: This things holds up pretty well for being an almost expired beer. Notes of crackling firewood and smoked gouda. The hops in the nose are not explicit, but have a subtle presence. Small traces of burned caramel, toffee, and toasted almond.

T: Again, considering this Dark Ale/IPA is considered expired in 24 hours, I was IMPRESSED with the taste. You get bright notes of tangerine, grapefruit, and pine needles at the front of the tongue. The bitterness is well complemented by the pungent and citrusy hoppy profile. A very solid malt backbone that tasted like smoked salmon over wood chips. Very reminiscent of the Alaskan Smoked Porter of 2008. Very dry finish at the end with very little aftertaste. I could only imagine what a week old bomber of this tastes like.

M: A very clean and straightforward mouth feel. Nothing that really sticks around aside from the camp-fire smores toasty aftertaste, which is something I am fond of.

O: I would love to have this fresh on tap. A very solid and well-balanced Dark Ale. The lack of coffee or cocoa notes keeps it from being confused for a Porter hybrid. The flavor profile is diverse and quite fresh-tasting, considering the date on the beer. B+

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 02:20:56 | More by rawla

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