Hop In The Dark Cascadian Dark Ale
Deschutes Brewery

[Original rating 2012-09-21] Dark brown with a bit of red when held up to the light, almost black. Thin brown head that disappears quickly. Aroma is roasted malt, citrus, stone fruit. Taste is malty, sweet at first with a bitter finish. Some alcohol in the finish, a hint of cough syrup. Mouth feel is a bit thin.

 

 

 

 

Nice dark roast grain bitterness combines with hops for sharp taste and palate. Black body with abundant beige head, lots of lacing. Aroma is a mixture of IPA and stout/porter. Medium body , nice drinkability, bitter finish.

Good black appearance, its dark alright, very black. Minor 1/3" tan head. Aroma hit all those grapefruit c hop notes.

Plenty bitter and impressive hop connotation. They may have used some dehusked black malt, as the bitterness while high, seems hop derived moreso than malt derived. Covers alcohol well. While not a style I'm huge on, when I think of the best in style, this one is up there. Most importantly, because the hops provide flavor, its not just an acrid bitter bomb with dark colors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From tasting notes. Had on tap at the Bryant Lake Bowl. It pours clear black under a 1” tan foam collar. The dark malt aromas and flavors are clean, smooth coffee flavors – a light roast and not harsh or burnt and are softened by a light caramel sweetness and seasoned by a citrusy, resiny, grapefruit rind bitterness. It all works very well together.

 

One of my favorite Cascadian IPAs, and here the name is more than fitting. A light chocolate roast and some crisp grapefruit notes with a piney, slightly resiny note on the finish. Delicious.