Deschutes Hop Henge
Imperial IPA
www.deschutesbrewery.com
Imperial IPA, are you kidding me!? Last year they released this
beer under an IPA heading, but decided we were all grown up and
needed something a bit more substantial. WOW! Kick ass beer. I
don't know where it's all going to be available, but dang this is a
great beer.
Brewer Notes:
Hops: 2.5 pounds of Centennial, Cascade and Northern Brewer
Hops per barrel + have pound per barrel for dry hopping.
Malts: Crystal, Pale and Carastan
Specs:
8.1% ABV | 95 IBUs | OG 1.080 | Available in 12 states Jan - March
PBN Tasting Notes:
Aroma: Strong citrus and floral hop aroma. Lightly roasted
malt, somewhat bready and very inviting if you're a hop lover.
Alcohol present in the aroma as well.
Appearance: Deep golden color, great clarity and a tan frothy
head with very good retention. Froth sticks to side of glass.
Taste: Initial light roasted malt quickly gives way to a
smack of grapefruity, somewhat resinous hops. This is a truly
wonderfully hopped beer. Finishes somewhat sweet with a lasting
wonderful bitterness. A great representation of the style.
Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with a slight softness. Moderate
carbonation and an alcohol warmth that lingers into the aftertaste.
Overall: This is a bit of a shock if you're trying to compare this
to last year's offering, as the initial offering was an IPA, whereas
this is a Double/Imperial IPA. Bigger in just about every way, this
beer is a great gift for the hophead. The brewers at Deschutes
continue to produce wonderful beers and the care and attention they
give their Bond Street Series is really special.
Food Pairing Recommendations
- Spicy Asian dishes - green beans, beef, chicken, etc
- Sharp Cheddar
- Cilantro Lime Jalapeño Beef
- Gingery dishes
- Chipotle Chicken
Theme here - get a food with a flavor big and strong enough to
match the hop intensity. This experience will enhance the dish
as well as the beer.
Tip: If you don't like spicy foods, there's a good chance
this beer will take some getting used to. However, this beer
will also serve to cut through, or balance, some of the spicy
character of these foods.
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