Tonight I'm pulling out this 22oz bottle of Hop in the Dark from Deschutes Brewery. This brew is a member of the (relatively) new style of beer called Cascadian Dark Ale, of which I am a HUGE fan. It's no surprise Deschutes loves their local Northwest hops, and this is essentially a Northwest-hopped black IPA. A part of their Bond Street Series, this brew is available from May-September. It sports 6.5%ABV, 70 IBUs.
The beer is a dark brown-black, drowns out all the light. Impressive light tan head billows up during the pour, and recedes fairly quickly leaving some 'tree-ring' lacing. The aroma is equally impressive, with citrus and spice sitting on a throne of bittersweet roasted malts. The drink brings a wallop of roast chocolate malts, smooth and rich coffee, and some toasted rye bread. Citrus and pine hops weave their way into the mix, grapefruits being the major player. The alcohol is just an subtle afterthought in the finish. The body is medium, with an oily sensation in the middle and a dryness at the finish.
Overall Rating: This Cascadian Dark Ale was awesome. The style seems to be gaining a lot of momentum in the craft world, and Deschutes hit the nail on the head with this brew. Great balance between hop and malt - sufficiently hoppy to satisfy the hop-fiends out there, but with a really nice malt backdrop. Go find this brew! A-
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