Deschutes Hop Henge Experimental IPA

Brewed by Deschutes Brewery
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Bend, Oregon USA

Serve in Snifter, Tulip

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From notes. First reviewed 6/10/2011. Poured from a 22 oz. bomber into a tulip. Hop Henge pours a caramel brown color with tints of orange and ruby. A robust off-white head fades quickly, leaving just a ring and some soft lace. The aroma is a little boozy for 9%. Hop-centric, with pine and sticky grapefruit, with some orange peel in the background. Caramel sweetness. Pale malt gives some light sweetness to the taste up front, then caramelized grapefruit, with sticky pine providing the real hop flavor. Not as pungently bitter as I would prefer, and pretty replaceable actually. A sharp, unpleasant bitterness lingers in the background briefly, but the aftertaste is all pine bitterness. Smooth and creamy, but it feels heavy on the tongue. Sticky on the lips. Full, creamy carbonation with a body that feels full. This is pretty good overall, but I expect more from Deschutes.

Bomber. Pours a hazy golden orange color along with a dense layer of off-white foam. Lots of ripe grapefruit, pineapple and hops resin in the aroma with some orange honey sweetness around the edges. Big resiny hops and tropical fruit flavors at the start followed by notes of pine, ruby red grapefruit and vegetal bitterness. The malt profile has some caramel and biscuit notes to it and is subtle but noticeable throughout. Mouthfeel is slightly syrupy with moderate carbonation and a mild alcohol bite at the end. The finish delivers one more shot of potent citrus and hops bitterness. Overall, an enjoyably smooth and well-balanced DIPA.

Got this in a trade with a friend. 22 ounce bottle into tulip, best by 4/25/2012; batch 0028. Pours hazy golden orange color with a nice 1-2 finger fairly dense light khaki head with good retention that reduce to a thin cap that lingers. Some spotty thick lacing on the glass. Aromas of big orange, pine, lemon, floral, biscuit, caramel, herbal, mango, pineapple, apricot, honey, and a bit of alcohol. Nice and well balanced aromas with good strength. Taste of big orange, pine, grapefruit, floral, caramel, biscuit, apricot, honey, pineapple, and herbal spiciness. Good amount of bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of citrus, pine, mango, caramel, and biscuit on the finish for a bit. Very nice balance of malt and bitterness. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a creamy and fairly slick mouthfeel. Good drinkability for 8.5%, but is still a sipper. Alcohol is fairly well hidden, with only a warming after the finish noticed. Overall this is an excellent DIPA. Nice big citrus and tropical hoppy flavors; with good malt and flavor balance, and smooth drinking for the level of alcohol.

Pours a really good looking clear dark orange with a big off white head that fades to a ring. Lacing coats the glass. Aroma is a nice floral and citrus blend. Taste is grapefruit, grass, and sweet maltiness. Really nice bitterness. Silky on the palate. This is a good one.

Bomber. Great Brew. Dominated by a mellow sweetness balanced with sharp bitterness throughout. Grapefruit and pine. Smooth finish. Tasty.

Coppery and clear, nice big, lasting head, good lacing. Citrus and floral notes come up first, followed by some pine. Taste is oily with hops, plenty of citrus, pine, and earthy malts. Body is medium and oily with a slightly sweet finish. Very tasty stuff!

Pours copper and clear with a nice white head that sticks around for a bit. Aroma is mostly fruity hops with peach, melon, orange, and grapefruit with a hint of the malt backbone. Taste is more of the same in the hop department with a solid malt backbone that largely stays in the background. This is very well balanced for a 95 IBU beer. It isnt bitter for bitterness’ sake. The malt is there to stand up to the hops, but isnt forward and cloying like other double IPAs.

Deschutes just can’t make a bad beer. hoppy aroma with a amber-like appearance, the taste is very citrusy, piney, not so much fruit hoppy flavor with slight malt at the finish with a little burn. Does a great job of hiding the 95 ibus as well as smooth mouth feel. Very good DIPA!

absolutely superb!!! this DIPA went absolutely delicious paired up with my fish tacos and spicy guacamole!!

Nose is citrus, floral, with a subtle hint of spruce. Appearance is a rich golden brown color residing on the more translucent side. I really enjoy the soft effect it has on the palate.