Chasin' Freshies - Deschutes Brewery

tenthumbs

California

4.25/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Perhaps it was my lack of interest in trying this beer that made it more of a surprise? Regardless, it's been added to my long list of favorites. The smell, mouth feel and overall freshness made this beer a joy to drink. Very floral and not too bitter. The lighter color belies it's full character. Too bad it's seasonal, I would love to have this on a warm day.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 21:20:30 | More by tenthumbs

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.09/5  rDev -16%
look: 4.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Pours out a mostly orangeish and gold color, nice white laundry soapish white head. Aroma was pretty muted, came off extremely as an English ipa. Lacked dry hop character.
What exactly is fresh hop about this?

Taste, man, this really does not seem like a fresh hop ipa. More like an esb or english ipa at best, and even that is kind of pushing it. Bready, floral malt aspect, hops are bitter, grapefruit at times, but very mellow. Truly one of the "balanced" ipas, or if anything, leaning away from balance to the light malt character sweetness. There are no off flavors, but it seems completely mislabeled style wise. Alcohol remains hidden, kind of surprised that its about 7 and a half.

I guess if you're looking for the lightest, mildest fresh hop ale made, this is your beer. I'm kinda meh on it.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 20:37:35 | More by Beerandraiderfan

alexgash

Connecticut

3.81/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

22 oz. bottle.

Hazy, golden yellow body with light lemon edges. Small, gauzy, dense, off-white head. Very floral hop nose. Fresh. Plenty of citrus as well. Subtle fruit malt notes. Nice.

Toasted biscuit malt up front. Citrus peel hop bitterness quickly follows. Light candyish sweetness fills in. Dry and light with honey accents. Becomes fruitier near the finish, which blends nicely with juicy citrus and pine hop flavors. Dries out more in the finish, although there is some lingering honeyish sweetness. Moderate body, with a slick feel. Not bad, but not my favorite hoppy Deschutes offering.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 01:54:38 | More by alexgash

TheCondor

Missouri

3.81/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Side poured with standard vigor from teh bomber into a pint glass. I missed the best by date by about a month but hey, it's an IPA, can't make that much of a difference amirite? When I first heard the name of this brew, before I seen the bottle, I thought they were talking about freshies as in shoes, like the beer was gonna be modeled after Pauly D or something. Anyway....

Appearance - Nice one and a half finger puffy white head billows to the top of a hazy yellow body. Although head retention is somewhat lacking, the beer leaves excellent lacing. Always maintains a bit of head, but not much. Like the packaging!

Smell - Excellent fruity/herbal hop character that is backed up by a solid bready and toasty malt character. This is an excellent smelling brew. Some grassy notes as well, very solid

Taste - Just like I thought, the best by date had little effect on the taste. Starts by washing the palate with a nice malty character, which is then overtaken and thoroughly dominated by hops. Hop character is lemons, citrus, grapefruit and grapes. Well balanced for sure.

Mouthfeel - Light, easy to drink, goes down so smooth and easy. Lightly carbonated, light bodied. Outstanding. This could be a dangerously smooth IPA.

Overall - This is an excellent IPA, in my opinion. Of course, there are better out there, but I really liked this one. I think Deschutes does a good job with it. I wouldn't send it into full-time production, and there are certainly much better Deschutes products, but given what it is, I think it is a quality beer worth your time and money.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 01:42:12 | More by TheCondor

Murrhey

Montana

2.41/5  rDev -34.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a bomber into a pint glass in high elevation Libby, Mont. Reviewed live. Best-by date 12/27/12. That's disappointing. I missed the fresh date. The review will be short, and I'll try and catch it again next year.

A- One finger white head. Fairly short retention. Light gold body.

S- Soapy cascade hops. Light malt character.

T- Soapy, grassy, just a smidge past fresh. Too bad.

M- Light, nice carbonation.

O- Worst beer I've had from Deschutes, but it is the store's fault. I bought this Jan. 26, almost a month past fresh date. That will teach me to check the best-by date.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 03:53:15 | More by Murrhey

Bookseeb

Washington

3.58/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance has a hazy golden yellow color supporting a thin head leaving spotty lace. Aroma of sweet citrus, mild hop and caramel malts. Taste again has that sweet citrus carrying a fair malt backbone that blend well with the hops. Mouthfeel is medium with good carbonation. Not an aggresive IPA, but more of a refreshing IPA.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 01:55:44 | More by Bookseeb

Topher78

California

3.68/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This was my first "Wet Hop" beer of the season. Brewed with a "wet" version of the original hop rhizome of "Cascade" hops. Pours a very light golden color with about a fingers worth of a bright white head and very little lacing. Aroma is very "green" almost like fresh mowed hay. You can definitely tell this is a wet hop beer. The taste is very different from the smell and consists of fresh pine needles and tangy citrus. The mouth feel is a little on the thin side and finishes VERY dry.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 18:23:12 | More by Topher78

Seanniek91

New Hampshire

4.4/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shared with RoninTK3. Poured from a 22oz bottle into a Smuttynose pint glass.

Appearance- Very hazy golden straw color. No head.

Smell- Fruity. Sauvignon Blanc. Tart. Crisp. Light herbal hoppiness.

Taste- Tart grapey flavors like much seen in a typical Sauvignon blanc. Light hop bitterness. Crisp and fresh.

Mouthfeel- Light and smooth. Nice carbonation.

Overall- This is my first Deschutes beer and It was a great way to start.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 17:47:54 | More by Seanniek91

TheSixthRing

California

4.03/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance - Pours a clear, pale straw yellow with a white head that sits just under 2 fingers thick. Average retention. Fair amount of lacing with good stick.

Smell - The aroma hits on hop notes that range from floral to mild lemon, while the malts hit on sweet bread and a subtle caramel. If I had to compare it to something, I'd say it smells somewhat like the lemon fruit loops.

Taste - Starts with sweet caramel and bready notes, then quickly shifts to hops that hit on floral and mild lemon citrus character. Slightly sour, and slightly bitter, like biting into a lemon seed. Fair balance, but leans more toward the hoppy side. Finishes with citrus pith and a faint grass bitterness.

Mouthfeel - Medium in body with fair carbonation. Tingly. Touches on creamy smoothness. Coats the mouth nicely.

Overall - Certainly a unique fresh hop ale, on doubt about that. Relies more so on balance than a relentless hop attack, and I can respect that. It's not to say the beer isn't hoppy, but it doesn't hit on that grapefruit and pine oil hop character that many of it's West Coast FHA counterparts do. I have no doubt it's due to their exclusive use of the heirloom cascade hops. Love the beer, but I'm not sure I'd buy it again... not this year anyway. Budgets are a bitch.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 01:47:24 | More by TheSixthRing

match1112

Illinois

3.33/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

a: crystal clear straw colored body. thin white head fades quickly to nothing.

s: mostly pilsner malts, like a typical pilsner/lager, don't smell the hops.

t: clean and malty, a little lemon, maybe a touch of soap.

m: thin, very little hop presence, finishes clean.

o: deschutes is usually a brewery i can't say anything bad about because i've never had a bad beer from them. however i feel they missed the mark with this one. it's very drinkable but with all the fresh hop ipa's out there this is just average at best.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 20:17:35 | More by match1112

THANAT0PSIS

Wisconsin

3.88/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Deschutes Chasin’ Freshies

Appearance: One of the two of Deschutes' takes on the wet-hopped ale style pours a pale, somewhat sediment laden, quiet golden yellow. There is a very small, half-finger of pure white head that quickly disappears. Blink, and you will miss it. Minimal alcohol legs accompany minimal lacing. There is not really much to say about this. It looks a lot like Harvest Ale from Founders…or a less effervescent, more alcoholic Miller Lite.

Aroma: Lots of lemon, citrus, rind, grapefruit and, strangely, grapeiness is present initially. There is little to no malt to be sniffed out at all, but a strange dankness (perhaps of urine, though not as offensive?). Again, these aromas would not be out of place in a much different style of beer, say, a pilsner? This is not shaping up well for Deschutes, which is shocking.

Taste: The savior has arrived. The taste is much more complex than either the appearance or aroma let on. It is also of much higher quality. Initially hit some sweet, lemon-dominated citrusy notes, accompanied perfectly by just a touch of sweet, biscuity malt (there is that pilsner showing up again). Then hits a wonderful banana and mango taste that lingers while it fades into grapefruit and grapes, and finally a bit of astringency that begs for another drink. There is not much bitterness here from the hops outside the aforementioned astringent aftertaste, just fantastic, complex, hoppy goodness.

Mouthfeel: It is just slightly sticky, and ends up around a medium mouthfeel. The carbonation that shows up not one iota in the glass is great makes what is already a very refreshing beer (piiilsneeeer) that much better. Astringency is perfect to keep the drinker coming back for more, and the aftertaste feel is engaging. It just begs you to remember it with each sip.

Overall: While it is by Deschutes’ own definition a wet-hopped ale, the way this beer pans out in these four reviewing categories is, as other reviewers have said, a fresh-hopped pilsner (if such a thing exists). It loses a few points for me because it does not adhere to the style (at least based on the fresh-hopped ales that I have had), but perhaps the style parameters (which are always meant to be broken, to a degree) have not been really set in stone yet, what with being such a new style. The taste is fantastic, and the mouthfeel perfectly complements it, but the appearance and aroma are so plain and understated (respectively) that the beer averages out to…average. Still, for $5 in Minnesota, you cannot go wrong (unless you buy Hop Stoopid). 14.5/20

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 04:51:37 | More by THANAT0PSIS

DocJitsu

California

4.4/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a light, crystal clear yellow-golden color with a foamy, nearly pure white head. Head retention is about average with sudsy residue remaining on the edge of the glass as the head dissipates. A bouquet of grass and lemon with a few notes of pine. I'm not familiar with heirloom cascade, but I don't get the grapefruit that is usually associated with cascade hops. Mouthfeel is very good for this style. Wet, slick, and not too much carbonation or hop hotness. The color, mouthfeel, and cleanness in the flavor compliment very well. This beer drinks a lot like a pilsener. A lot of nice balance. A pilsener bitterness appears at the finish. Some tangy citrus in the middle. No alcohol heat or taste at all, even though the ABV is pretty high. I really like this beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 20:30:42 | More by DocJitsu

katan

Colorado

4.03/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz into a pint

A - A golden color, lots of pearly white head formation that quickly breaks down to a bubbly film. Lacing is strong. Very clear.

S - Strong hop character, a combination of citrus and a fairly dank resinous flavor.

T - Starts off lightly citrusy, showing its hops immediately. Its flavors are mid-stream become much more bitter, almost balanced as the resins start taking hold. Finishes bitter with just hints of grapefruit.

M- Moderate body, moderate carbonation - perhaps more carbonation to give it a more bubbly background. Alcohol warmth is well hidden. A bit oily.

O/D - A very solid fresh hop IPA. The hops are front and center, but it doesn't overcome its IPA base. The alcohol is high but workable, and the body isn't too filling. A good beer if you are in search of a fresh hopper.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 02:12:09 | More by katan

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at St Augustines in Vancouver

A: 1/2" white head that left a nice lacing over cloudy yellow liquid.

S: Floral, lemon and grapefruit.

T: Lemon, lime and grapefruit up front and a sweet Biscuity malt backbone.

M: Medium viscosity and a medium level of carbonation, some drying.

O: Tastes like a lemon, lime and grapefruit soft drink. It would be better if the malt was different and less sweet.

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2012 23:00:56 | More by DaftCaskBC

zeff80

Missouri

3.98/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a clear, pale golden color with a one-finger white head of bubbly foam. It left thin rings of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled floral with grapefruit notes and some bubblegum.

T - Tasted of sweet caramel, tart and sweet from grapefruit flavors. A touch of cut grasses and bread crust.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a dry, clean finish.

O - This is a very good fresh hop IPA. Worth picking up a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 03:15:24 | More by zeff80

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The light colour and not so hoppy nose is unexpected and so is the fruity tastes that show up in the beer. Papaya and citrus make it almost seem like a white IPA. I liked it was hoping for a more upfront hop profile for a fresh hop beer. would almost work as a summer beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2012 00:51:26 | More by canucklehead

kaseydad

California

3.75/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Wife bought this for my enjoyment. Best buy 12/27/12. Sweet label.

Surprised by the pour. Clear yellow with a fair amount of bright white foamy head. For an IPA I was not expecting the color. Pilsner-isque though once reading the Pilsner malt used used...understood.

Fruity aroma with pilsner malt aroma, doughy, banana, grainy and grassy.

The taste is definitely different for an IPA. Very hoppy up front which causes a slight acidic throat burn as it moves...but it is also smooth in the mouth. Odd combo. Name your fruity rind and it is present. Orange flavor and a smack of grapefruit is also here but meshes well. The aftertaste of rind stays well after the sip consumption.

Mouth salivates in a damn good way.

Overall this was an interesting session. Though the label states 7.4%, I was impressed with the light feel to this ale. Very smooth mouthfeel. Almost no bubbles whatsoever which makes this way smooth. Definitely different type of IPA and may not be for everyone, but I like it. Then again, does Dechutes really make anything sub-par?

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 19:32:38 | More by kaseydad

Reidrover

Oregon

3.55/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 oz bottle from Roth’s Vista Market in Salem OR. $5.99 Golden yellow colour..lighter than most IPAs . Quarter inch white frothy head. Maybe i am imagining things because of the golden colour but this smell like a pilsner..grassy hop and slight toast to the malt. Tase is fresh grassy hop with a bit of lingering bitterness..bold malt backing..again this could be a hoppy pils! Actually liked the mouthfeel.. invigorating, bubbly and fresh! A very strange IPA..i liked it but weird stuff!

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 03:45:17 | More by Reidrover

vfgccp

New York

3.4/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Light, dry straw yellow body. Mixed bubble, white head. Nice retention and ok lace.

S - Soft tropical fruits; pineapple, papaya. White bread malt, orange citrus, white grape.

T - Really light. Wonder bread, light citrus rind, soft herbalness and green plant stems.

M - Light frame. Ok carbonation.

O - Light for an American IPA, especially on bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 19:01:41 | More by vfgccp

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

3.2/5  rDev -13%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bright gold. Thick, shower scum head smears a swath of foam down my glass. Snowy retention.

Smells like grass, light grain and lemon cookie.

Tastes like lemongrass and honey with a sharp bitter.

Bright and sunny Chasin' Freshies could be a summer lawnmower beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 15:16:54 | More by donkeyrunner

UCLABrewN84

California

3.53/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Boneyard Bistro in Sherman Oaks, CA.

Pours a clear yellow with a foamy off-white head that settles to a film on top of the beer. A foamy curtain of lace coats the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, herbal hops, and some citrus zest aromas. Taste is much the same with a mild hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer but the aromas and flavors are pretty mild for a fresh hop beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-22-2012 07:08:52 | More by UCLABrewN84

ocelot2500

Arizona

3.53/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear straw color with a tight white head that leaves good sized chunks of lacing.

Smells of grassy, leafy hops with a slight sugary base.

Tastes of clean hop tastes with a solid malt base. Notes of lemon, grass, and herbs abound with some leafy notes as well. Not particularly bitter, but has the oily feel to it of fresh hops. Sugar cookie malt base rounds out the end.

Mouthfeel is medium-light with a smooth amount of carbonation.

Overall, this is solid, but not particularly noticeable in a growing crowd of fresh hop ales.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 03:02:28 | More by ocelot2500

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.28/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

BBD of 12/27/12

Pours light gold with 3 fingers of pearl colored head. Stays effervescent throughout, great head retention & lacing

S: Lemony & grassy notes , not a ton though

T: Lemony, bready & some grass & piney notes up front. Some grapefruit, tangerines, lemons & a hint of lime with a little honey lurking in the back ground & some breadyness. Finishes with ruby red grapefruit, lemons, a bit of lime & a whisper of malty sweetness & just a bit of golden delicious apples

Light/medium bodied, some carbonation, but fairly light, nicely balanced & juicy

I liked this, wish I could've found some of this a few weeks ago, but still very hoppy/refreshing. I do not like this a much as hop trip, but still very nice

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 04:06:33 | More by russpowell

SHODriver

California

3.98/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pours a light yellow with a small white head that fades to a collar around an imperial nonic
S: smells of pine and citrus with some nice underlying sweetness
T: nice citrus/grapefruit hoppiness with a little bit of pine, good light honey sweetness from the malt as well. swallow brings some nice pine and a bit floral as well and the pilsner malt comes through in the back end
M: medium carbonation and a medium mouthfeel
O: very good flavors and easy to drink. I'd like the hops to pop a bit more but it's a solid beer. color is a bit light but the malt bill was made to let the hops shine

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 03:08:18 | More by SHODriver

WesM63

Ohio

3.6/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a Deschutes Tulip.

A: Pours a hazy gold with a 1finger white head. Minor retention and lacing.

S: Mostly pilsner malt. Some wet hop earthiness.

T: On the nose. Pilsner malt, some of that wet hop earthiness peaks through.

M: Medium body and carbonation.

O: Sadly the pilsner malt ruins it for me. I get very little of the cascade hops as they are just drowned out by the malt.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 23:09:24 | More by WesM63