Conflux No. 2 | Deschutes Brewery
Brewed by:
Deschutes Brewery
Oregon, United States | website
Style: Belgian IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.30%
Availability: Limited (brewed once)
Notes / Commercial Description:
Brewed in Collaboration with Boulevard Brewing Co.; released July 2011.
Made with orange peel, coriander, lemongrass and sage.
See: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/423/68746 for the same recipe (with minor variances) brewed and bottled at Boulevard.
IBU: 49
ABV: 7.3%
Added by msubulldog25 on 07-26-2011
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
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Reviews: 144 | Ratings: 258
3.84/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
December 15, 2013 - I think I missed No. 1, but No. 2 looks just as promising, given the old-time tonic label. But the real joys first come in the aroma. Buttery pear and apple in abundance push out from the mottled head, sweetened with butter cream. There's a small acidic dimension with tangerine, and popcorn butter on the finish, which I know is undesirable, but it's a stellar smell, rich and decadent like a French dessert. Leaning back, I take in the look, which reminds me of a potion, totally clear, but riddled with bubbles on the sides of the glass in the same pattern as needles on a cactus. On the taste, I first notice the palate, which is light but buoyant was gas, and then to the flavors, punctuated in three places. First, I detect mellow butter, pear and sweet custard notes. This then quiets and peaks again, but more intensely across all those flavors. Finally, there's a slight hoppy punch near the end, and a wheat note too, leaving the palate ready for more of those gentle sweeter notes from the beginning - a positive feedback cycle.
★ 1,059 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
December 15, 2013 - I think I missed No. 1, but No. 2 looks just as promising, given the old-time tonic label. But the real joys first come in the aroma. Buttery pear and apple in abundance push out from the mottled head, sweetened with butter cream. There's a small acidic dimension with tangerine, and popcorn butter on the finish, which I know is undesirable, but it's a stellar smell, rich and decadent like a French dessert. Leaning back, I take in the look, which reminds me of a potion, totally clear, but riddled with bubbles on the sides of the glass in the same pattern as needles on a cactus. On the taste, I first notice the palate, which is light but buoyant was gas, and then to the flavors, punctuated in three places. First, I detect mellow butter, pear and sweet custard notes. This then quiets and peaks again, but more intensely across all those flavors. Finally, there's a slight hoppy punch near the end, and a wheat note too, leaving the palate ready for more of those gentle sweeter notes from the beginning - a positive feedback cycle.
★ 1,059 characters
3.3/5 rDev -17.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
picked up a bottle somewhere you yonder
a: served in a slim unibroue snifter, pale golden in color with a slight haze of floaters, the pour forms a white head with average retention
s: the prominent features of the nose are a witbier spiciness with coriander out front and a citrus/tropical hop nose, smells alright but the coriander level is a bit much
m: carbonation moderate-high, body lighter
t: coriander reigns from start to finish - it's really a bit much and gives an artificially floral, waxy taste, pils and wheaty malts form a light base, theres some clash with the citrusy hop flavors and the wit elements, moderately bitter, spritzy, lingering coriander, bright acid
o: seems to be a witbier at heart - pils/wheat malts and associated spice, but hopped up a bit, I don't think it works particularly well as a hybrid style, and some elements (especially coriander) of the wit side seem exaggerated, drinkable but not especially enjoyable
★ 954 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
picked up a bottle somewhere you yonder
a: served in a slim unibroue snifter, pale golden in color with a slight haze of floaters, the pour forms a white head with average retention
s: the prominent features of the nose are a witbier spiciness with coriander out front and a citrus/tropical hop nose, smells alright but the coriander level is a bit much
m: carbonation moderate-high, body lighter
t: coriander reigns from start to finish - it's really a bit much and gives an artificially floral, waxy taste, pils and wheaty malts form a light base, theres some clash with the citrusy hop flavors and the wit elements, moderately bitter, spritzy, lingering coriander, bright acid
o: seems to be a witbier at heart - pils/wheat malts and associated spice, but hopped up a bit, I don't think it works particularly well as a hybrid style, and some elements (especially coriander) of the wit side seem exaggerated, drinkable but not especially enjoyable
★ 954 characters
4.7/5 rDev +18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Deschutes, my favorite Oregon brewery, and Boulevard? Collaborating? Lucky enough for me, I went to Portland the week this came out and had this version - on tap - then went back home to the KC area and had the Boulevard bottle. Superb!
It's not really an IPA. It's really more of a witbier with more hops. Not much else I can say, it's a lot like the old Two Joker's witbier Boulevard had, with all those delicious hops like Deschutes uses in their super hoppy beers.
★ 469 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Deschutes, my favorite Oregon brewery, and Boulevard? Collaborating? Lucky enough for me, I went to Portland the week this came out and had this version - on tap - then went back home to the KC area and had the Boulevard bottle. Superb!
It's not really an IPA. It's really more of a witbier with more hops. Not much else I can say, it's a lot like the old Two Joker's witbier Boulevard had, with all those delicious hops like Deschutes uses in their super hoppy beers.
★ 469 characters
4.3/5 rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
So this is labeled, per the brewery, as a white ipa. I can see that. Has all the Belgian characteristics to it, and very evenly so, if I may say. Spice tones from hops come in and edge things off. I like this brew. It's unique and interesting and very well done. The mesh of characteristics comes together nicely and it works. I'd love to try the Boulevard version.
★ 365 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
So this is labeled, per the brewery, as a white ipa. I can see that. Has all the Belgian characteristics to it, and very evenly so, if I may say. Spice tones from hops come in and edge things off. I like this brew. It's unique and interesting and very well done. The mesh of characteristics comes together nicely and it works. I'd love to try the Boulevard version.
★ 365 characters
4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Slightly hazy golden-yellow with a finger of frothy white head. The head fades down at a normal pace leaving behind some nice lacing.
S - Aroma is a mix of lemon, orange, and citrus hops, Belgian yeast, coriander, other spices, with some sweet bready malts.
T - Starts off with a mix of citrus hops with some lemon and orange peel, coriander, Belgian yeast, other fruity esters, and some pepper. Through the middle, some sweet bready malts come through with a touch of bitterness and floral hop with some more coriander, clove, and other yeast spices. The finish is a mix of sweet bready malts with some spices, lemon, Belgian yeast, and some citrus hops.
M - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a dry and spicy finish.
D - Very drinkable. Nice Belgian IPA. Good mix of IPA flavor and Belgian yeast character.
★ 840 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Slightly hazy golden-yellow with a finger of frothy white head. The head fades down at a normal pace leaving behind some nice lacing.
S - Aroma is a mix of lemon, orange, and citrus hops, Belgian yeast, coriander, other spices, with some sweet bready malts.
T - Starts off with a mix of citrus hops with some lemon and orange peel, coriander, Belgian yeast, other fruity esters, and some pepper. Through the middle, some sweet bready malts come through with a touch of bitterness and floral hop with some more coriander, clove, and other yeast spices. The finish is a mix of sweet bready malts with some spices, lemon, Belgian yeast, and some citrus hops.
M - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a dry and spicy finish.
D - Very drinkable. Nice Belgian IPA. Good mix of IPA flavor and Belgian yeast character.
★ 840 characters
4.13/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A: The bottle had all the amazing floaty bits evenly distributed through the liquid that was a pale golden hue. Poured very bright with a crystally froth dome
S: Even with a couple months past it's prime, this beer has a joyfully bright fragrance reminiscent of pears and a gingerish lemon concoction.
T: Gentle bitterness with gorgeous spices brought to the forefront by lovely citrus notes prolly from the orange peels. Perfect hop flavors that cares your tongue with a light floral bouquet
M: A crisp dry refreshing beverage with big carbonation
O: I wish i could have had this beer fresh, considering how well it tasted with age. Wish they made this year around. Great collaboration
★ 692 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A: The bottle had all the amazing floaty bits evenly distributed through the liquid that was a pale golden hue. Poured very bright with a crystally froth dome
S: Even with a couple months past it's prime, this beer has a joyfully bright fragrance reminiscent of pears and a gingerish lemon concoction.
T: Gentle bitterness with gorgeous spices brought to the forefront by lovely citrus notes prolly from the orange peels. Perfect hop flavors that cares your tongue with a light floral bouquet
M: A crisp dry refreshing beverage with big carbonation
O: I wish i could have had this beer fresh, considering how well it tasted with age. Wish they made this year around. Great collaboration
★ 692 characters
4.65/5 rDev +16.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a Nostradamus flute glass. Pours a cloudy yellow orange amber. Two finger fine white head. Sweet malts and wheat aroma with a hint of spices and citrus. Unusual flavor of neutral hops, orange, light citrus and Belgian spicing. Creamy bodied. Moderate hop finish with a bit of peppery spicing. An unusual and hard to classify beer. Complex and interesting flavor progresion. Seems understated, but as it progresses, the complexity shows. I really liked this one. The Boulevard version is a bit more strightforwardly flavored, but I like the almost aged mellowness of the Deschutes a bit better. Both are excellent.
★ 625 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a Nostradamus flute glass. Pours a cloudy yellow orange amber. Two finger fine white head. Sweet malts and wheat aroma with a hint of spices and citrus. Unusual flavor of neutral hops, orange, light citrus and Belgian spicing. Creamy bodied. Moderate hop finish with a bit of peppery spicing. An unusual and hard to classify beer. Complex and interesting flavor progresion. Seems understated, but as it progresses, the complexity shows. I really liked this one. The Boulevard version is a bit more strightforwardly flavored, but I like the almost aged mellowness of the Deschutes a bit better. Both are excellent.
★ 625 characters
3.35/5 rDev -15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
22oz bomber with a freshness date.
LOOK: Nice display of lacing, hazed (almost turbid) golden yellow
SMELL: Spicy, perfumey, herbal hop, dough bread, fresh grass, botanical
TASTE: Hoppy, slightly soapy, bready, chalky yeast, spicy, warming alcohol, exotic fruit, peppery, floral, lemon pith, semi-sweet finish
A bit too much spicing IMO, I can appreciate the brewer's intention but just seems a bit muddled to me. Less spicing and a dryer palate to start with would have worked for me.
★ 490 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
22oz bomber with a freshness date.
LOOK: Nice display of lacing, hazed (almost turbid) golden yellow
SMELL: Spicy, perfumey, herbal hop, dough bread, fresh grass, botanical
TASTE: Hoppy, slightly soapy, bready, chalky yeast, spicy, warming alcohol, exotic fruit, peppery, floral, lemon pith, semi-sweet finish
A bit too much spicing IMO, I can appreciate the brewer's intention but just seems a bit muddled to me. Less spicing and a dryer palate to start with would have worked for me.
★ 490 characters
3.58/5 rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Sampled August 2011
A steady pour, with just a hint of aggression, into my large Tripel Karmeliet tulip glass produces a four finger thick, pale, tan tinged, cream colored head; this leaves some nice wispy lacing on the sides of the glass as it slowly subsides. The beer is a pale-amber / light gold color that shows a hazy, straw gold color when held up to the light. The beer smells quite herbal, with a fair amount of earthy spiciness and lots of dried hay / grass aromatics. I am not sure if spices were added to this, but there is a definite spicy presence to this beer, it definitely reminds me of coriander, perhaps a touch of white pepper and some woody ginger and lemon notes. There is a backdrop of more fruity, hop-like, citrus notes towards the end, though this almost plays a secondary role to the up front, though still subtle spiciness. There is a certain mustiness to the aroma here and it mixes with a dry, pale cracker like grain character.
There is a huge up front hop character that comes through quite a bit more clearly than it did in the aroma. There is a big, though dry, citrus zest character that has notes of Meyer Lemon, tart grapefruit zest, touches of tangelo zest and some lychee. Towards the middle and finish of this beer an earthy and grassy spiciness starts to kick in; it has notes of white pepper, lemon grass (with an emphasis on the grass portion), definite earthy coriander as well as some phenolics in the finish that contribute a slight, sort of plastic like note and perhaps some clove too (now that I have noticed the phenolics). The combination of hop notes (herbal and bitterness) with the earthy spiciness and the phenolics adds a bit of sharpness to the finish. The body of this beer is nice and light and quaffable, it has just enough character to not be overly thin though.
I wasn’t really aware that this had spices and a Belgian yeast used in the recipe. I am still not absolutely sure this is true, but it certainly seems like it as there are a whole lot of flavors in this beer that are not at all part of a traditional hop profile. Not at all what I was expecting, but it is still quite tasty and I am definitely enjoying this beer. I wouldn’t mind if the combination of sharp herbal / yeast / spice character in the finish was tempered quite a bit & I think a juicy hop fruit character (which is what I was expecting before having opened this beer) would really have been nice as well.
★ 2,447 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Sampled August 2011
A steady pour, with just a hint of aggression, into my large Tripel Karmeliet tulip glass produces a four finger thick, pale, tan tinged, cream colored head; this leaves some nice wispy lacing on the sides of the glass as it slowly subsides. The beer is a pale-amber / light gold color that shows a hazy, straw gold color when held up to the light. The beer smells quite herbal, with a fair amount of earthy spiciness and lots of dried hay / grass aromatics. I am not sure if spices were added to this, but there is a definite spicy presence to this beer, it definitely reminds me of coriander, perhaps a touch of white pepper and some woody ginger and lemon notes. There is a backdrop of more fruity, hop-like, citrus notes towards the end, though this almost plays a secondary role to the up front, though still subtle spiciness. There is a certain mustiness to the aroma here and it mixes with a dry, pale cracker like grain character.
There is a huge up front hop character that comes through quite a bit more clearly than it did in the aroma. There is a big, though dry, citrus zest character that has notes of Meyer Lemon, tart grapefruit zest, touches of tangelo zest and some lychee. Towards the middle and finish of this beer an earthy and grassy spiciness starts to kick in; it has notes of white pepper, lemon grass (with an emphasis on the grass portion), definite earthy coriander as well as some phenolics in the finish that contribute a slight, sort of plastic like note and perhaps some clove too (now that I have noticed the phenolics). The combination of hop notes (herbal and bitterness) with the earthy spiciness and the phenolics adds a bit of sharpness to the finish. The body of this beer is nice and light and quaffable, it has just enough character to not be overly thin though.
I wasn’t really aware that this had spices and a Belgian yeast used in the recipe. I am still not absolutely sure this is true, but it certainly seems like it as there are a whole lot of flavors in this beer that are not at all part of a traditional hop profile. Not at all what I was expecting, but it is still quite tasty and I am definitely enjoying this beer. I wouldn’t mind if the combination of sharp herbal / yeast / spice character in the finish was tempered quite a bit & I think a juicy hop fruit character (which is what I was expecting before having opened this beer) would really have been nice as well.
★ 2,447 characters
4.03/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had the Boulevard release relatively soon after release - been sitting on this one ever since then having forgotten to review it. Anyhow...poured from a 22oz bomber into my Hoegaarden tumbler.
Lightly hazy pale yellow (with a touch of green/pear) liquid capped by a thin layer of lasting ivory merengue. Superior retention, thick creamy lacing.
Despite a touch of age now, the hops are still at the front of the nose, offering up peppery, earthy notes which blend very well with the coriander and orange additions.
Spicy clean, not quite tart palate entry with a kiss of buttermilk and more peppercorn and earth (hints of Brett. almost) leading into the malt-supported moderately bitter core of flavor. The finish is dry, gently spicy, hoppy, with an after-taste of oranges.
Medium-light bodied, effervescent but crisp at the same time. Alcohol slows you down a touch, though the thirst quenching factor is high enough with this ale that you could readily down multiple bottles if you weren't cautious.
While I can no longer make a direct comparison, I recall the Blvd recipe to be nearly identical in execution (though the Blvd likely underwent additional development in the bottle by comparison), though I wonder if this one would have been even more hop-forward when it was equally as fresh. Excellent collaboration (though Blvd's work with Orval is even more impressive) and a tasty domestic rendering of the style.
★ 1,425 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had the Boulevard release relatively soon after release - been sitting on this one ever since then having forgotten to review it. Anyhow...poured from a 22oz bomber into my Hoegaarden tumbler.
Lightly hazy pale yellow (with a touch of green/pear) liquid capped by a thin layer of lasting ivory merengue. Superior retention, thick creamy lacing.
Despite a touch of age now, the hops are still at the front of the nose, offering up peppery, earthy notes which blend very well with the coriander and orange additions.
Spicy clean, not quite tart palate entry with a kiss of buttermilk and more peppercorn and earth (hints of Brett. almost) leading into the malt-supported moderately bitter core of flavor. The finish is dry, gently spicy, hoppy, with an after-taste of oranges.
Medium-light bodied, effervescent but crisp at the same time. Alcohol slows you down a touch, though the thirst quenching factor is high enough with this ale that you could readily down multiple bottles if you weren't cautious.
While I can no longer make a direct comparison, I recall the Blvd recipe to be nearly identical in execution (though the Blvd likely underwent additional development in the bottle by comparison), though I wonder if this one would have been even more hop-forward when it was equally as fresh. Excellent collaboration (though Blvd's work with Orval is even more impressive) and a tasty domestic rendering of the style.
★ 1,425 characters
3.88/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a bomber into a tulip glass.
A: Hazy, pale golden color with a patchy residue of white bubbles. Scant lacing remains and a few tight streams of bubbles rise from the sides of the glass and in the center of the column.
S: Savory, with a focus on coriander as well as bright lemon juice and peel. Hops are mild in that they seem to contribute some herbaceous notes but any distinct citrus contribution becomes a part of the overall lemon quality. Pine emerges as the beer warms, with lemon becoming aggressive.
T: Begins very off-dry, with wheat and bitter lemon peel. Acidity is approaching moderate intensity but is entirely appropriate. Flavors dry out in the middle where pale malt and herbaceous aromatic flavors are very clean. By the finish the bitterness is fairly mild, with balanced wheat and lemon left to linger.
M: Medium viscosity, coating on the palate in a balanced way, with moderate carbonation.
D/O: This comes across as a bold interpretation of Belgian-style wit beer--the sort that demands attention. Its smell is a bit overstated, but otherwise it impresses.
★ 1,095 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a bomber into a tulip glass.
A: Hazy, pale golden color with a patchy residue of white bubbles. Scant lacing remains and a few tight streams of bubbles rise from the sides of the glass and in the center of the column.
S: Savory, with a focus on coriander as well as bright lemon juice and peel. Hops are mild in that they seem to contribute some herbaceous notes but any distinct citrus contribution becomes a part of the overall lemon quality. Pine emerges as the beer warms, with lemon becoming aggressive.
T: Begins very off-dry, with wheat and bitter lemon peel. Acidity is approaching moderate intensity but is entirely appropriate. Flavors dry out in the middle where pale malt and herbaceous aromatic flavors are very clean. By the finish the bitterness is fairly mild, with balanced wheat and lemon left to linger.
M: Medium viscosity, coating on the palate in a balanced way, with moderate carbonation.
D/O: This comes across as a bold interpretation of Belgian-style wit beer--the sort that demands attention. Its smell is a bit overstated, but otherwise it impresses.
★ 1,095 characters
4.15/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours cloudy bright yellow with plenty of floating sediment and a rocky white head that leaves sheets of lacing.
Aroma is intense lemon and corriander. Slightly herbal and musty.
Taste is initially sweet, lemony and herbal. Then the spice charater takes over - corriander and allspice. Finishes with a clean bitterness that lingers and a pleasant musty quality.
Mouthfeel is light-medium bodied.
Overall a very nice BIPA. Very lemony, with plenty of musty spice to keep things interesting.
★ 493 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours cloudy bright yellow with plenty of floating sediment and a rocky white head that leaves sheets of lacing.
Aroma is intense lemon and corriander. Slightly herbal and musty.
Taste is initially sweet, lemony and herbal. Then the spice charater takes over - corriander and allspice. Finishes with a clean bitterness that lingers and a pleasant musty quality.
Mouthfeel is light-medium bodied.
Overall a very nice BIPA. Very lemony, with plenty of musty spice to keep things interesting.
★ 493 characters
4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured very belgian white like, cloudy light yellow with a nice creamy thick head.
The smell is dominated by belgian white smells, big coriander, citrus, and belgian yeast.
The flavor is also more belgian white than IPA, big lemony and spicy wheat flavors, more hops than a normal Belgian White, but not overly bitter, just a nice bit of citrusy hop flavors with a light bit of juniper.
The mouthfeel is clean and dry with a touch of resin.
Very nice and easy to drink, even a bottle thats a bit past its prime is drinking very well.
★ 537 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured very belgian white like, cloudy light yellow with a nice creamy thick head.
The smell is dominated by belgian white smells, big coriander, citrus, and belgian yeast.
The flavor is also more belgian white than IPA, big lemony and spicy wheat flavors, more hops than a normal Belgian White, but not overly bitter, just a nice bit of citrusy hop flavors with a light bit of juniper.
The mouthfeel is clean and dry with a touch of resin.
Very nice and easy to drink, even a bottle thats a bit past its prime is drinking very well.
★ 537 characters
4.02/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
22oz bottle poured into a large mug
Pours very pale yellow with a pretty impressive head. Very cloudy, colloidal looking with the amount of chunky sediment, appears thick and heavy. Slow carbonation is moving around chunks of sediment. Smell is powerful, filling the room in a short amount of time. Smells of Belgian yeast, very bready, with a spicy hoppy undertone. Spice is definitely noticeable.
Taste is spiced with medium hops and lots of yeast. You can definitely get the Belgian-ness of this beer, but you get a little less of the IPA-ness. I get some citrus. This is really fruity, but doesn't seem particularly citric.
Mouthfeel is a little bite-y. I don't know what to call it, but it's that abrasive sensation that seems to come with heavily carbonated beverages. Other than that, it's very pleasant.
Overall, I'm quite satisfied. I like this beer.
★ 863 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
22oz bottle poured into a large mug
Pours very pale yellow with a pretty impressive head. Very cloudy, colloidal looking with the amount of chunky sediment, appears thick and heavy. Slow carbonation is moving around chunks of sediment. Smell is powerful, filling the room in a short amount of time. Smells of Belgian yeast, very bready, with a spicy hoppy undertone. Spice is definitely noticeable.
Taste is spiced with medium hops and lots of yeast. You can definitely get the Belgian-ness of this beer, but you get a little less of the IPA-ness. I get some citrus. This is really fruity, but doesn't seem particularly citric.
Mouthfeel is a little bite-y. I don't know what to call it, but it's that abrasive sensation that seems to come with heavily carbonated beverages. Other than that, it's very pleasant.
Overall, I'm quite satisfied. I like this beer.
★ 863 characters
4.2/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A- Clear pale straw color with an enormous fizzy white head that dissipates to a thin covering, leaving spotty lacing behind. Beautifully hazy with orange hues after swirling the sediment into the final pour. A few floaties are to be expected when drinking sediment, but it's worth it.
N- Some bitter grapefruit with deep herbal undertones, I'm assuming from the sage. Definitely smell lemongrass and hay, which play well off the citrusy hops and soft yeasty phenols. I'm getting some funkiness too. Wheaty, crackery malt and delicate floral notes are also present in the nose.
T- Just as complex as the aroma. Wheaty, crackery malt with waves of refreshing lemon/orange citrus and lemongrass. Subtle herbal notes add depth to the mild hoppy bitterness. Moderate spiciness really adds a nice touch. Just a hint of yeasty phenols, which gives the beer a subtle Belgian flair. Finish is fairly short with a lightly bitter, wheaty, citrusy, floral, grassy aftertaste.
M- Fairly light bodied, slightly sticky, high carbonation, and a semidry finish.
O- Really a refreshing brew all around. Light, citrusy, and herbal, this beer is perfect for hot summer days. That's no small feat considering 7.3% ABV. Personally I think this should be called an American Wit (pun intended). White IPA just gives you the wrong expectation.
★ 1,324 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A- Clear pale straw color with an enormous fizzy white head that dissipates to a thin covering, leaving spotty lacing behind. Beautifully hazy with orange hues after swirling the sediment into the final pour. A few floaties are to be expected when drinking sediment, but it's worth it.
N- Some bitter grapefruit with deep herbal undertones, I'm assuming from the sage. Definitely smell lemongrass and hay, which play well off the citrusy hops and soft yeasty phenols. I'm getting some funkiness too. Wheaty, crackery malt and delicate floral notes are also present in the nose.
T- Just as complex as the aroma. Wheaty, crackery malt with waves of refreshing lemon/orange citrus and lemongrass. Subtle herbal notes add depth to the mild hoppy bitterness. Moderate spiciness really adds a nice touch. Just a hint of yeasty phenols, which gives the beer a subtle Belgian flair. Finish is fairly short with a lightly bitter, wheaty, citrusy, floral, grassy aftertaste.
M- Fairly light bodied, slightly sticky, high carbonation, and a semidry finish.
O- Really a refreshing brew all around. Light, citrusy, and herbal, this beer is perfect for hot summer days. That's no small feat considering 7.3% ABV. Personally I think this should be called an American Wit (pun intended). White IPA just gives you the wrong expectation.
★ 1,324 characters
3.77/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured from a bomber that the good folks at Deschutes were kind enough to give me during my visit a couple months ago.
APPEARANCE: A very cautious pour still resulted in an enormous, foamy head that took up about a third of my pint glass. That foam wasn't going anywhere for a while, it stuck around for a good ten minutes. All the while it rested on top of a bright yellow and opaque beer. Bubbles sprung up from the bottom for the first couple of minutes, but eventually slowed down.
SMELL: Lemons and pine dominated the smell. It was stronger early on and as the foam dissipated so did the aroma.
TASTE: Citrus, in particular lemon, is the star of this show. A strong dose of hops hits the palate, however, as the lemon flavor subsides. A wheaty breadiness is also noticeable and a very slight sour note compliments a bitter finish leaving the palate ready for more.
MOUTHFEEL: Crisp and refreshing with a decent amount of sparkle. It is a very easy drinker, extraordinarily easy in fact, when you consider the 7.3% ABV.
OVERALL: Complex, interesting and unique. For such an easy drinker this beer actually challenges the palate quite a bit. A newbie might enjoy this, but there is plenty for the more experienced beer drinker to appreciate.
★ 1,250 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured from a bomber that the good folks at Deschutes were kind enough to give me during my visit a couple months ago.
APPEARANCE: A very cautious pour still resulted in an enormous, foamy head that took up about a third of my pint glass. That foam wasn't going anywhere for a while, it stuck around for a good ten minutes. All the while it rested on top of a bright yellow and opaque beer. Bubbles sprung up from the bottom for the first couple of minutes, but eventually slowed down.
SMELL: Lemons and pine dominated the smell. It was stronger early on and as the foam dissipated so did the aroma.
TASTE: Citrus, in particular lemon, is the star of this show. A strong dose of hops hits the palate, however, as the lemon flavor subsides. A wheaty breadiness is also noticeable and a very slight sour note compliments a bitter finish leaving the palate ready for more.
MOUTHFEEL: Crisp and refreshing with a decent amount of sparkle. It is a very easy drinker, extraordinarily easy in fact, when you consider the 7.3% ABV.
OVERALL: Complex, interesting and unique. For such an easy drinker this beer actually challenges the palate quite a bit. A newbie might enjoy this, but there is plenty for the more experienced beer drinker to appreciate.
★ 1,250 characters
4.02/5 rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Deschutes Conflux Series No. 2, Boulevard Conflux: Ale Brewed with Orange peel and coriander with spices added. Brewed and bottled by Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Oregon. Second in a series, this citrusy, smooth white india pale ale is a fortuitous meeting of Deschutes' hop skills and Boulevards deft wheat touch. What's 1800 miles when a great beer is at stake?
Isn't it how it always works? A few brewers sit around tippling and waxing poetic about what-ifs, wild ideas, and untapped dreams when one suddenly proclaims "why not?" So the conflux series was born, bravely leaping corporate and geographic barriers to jointly explore uncharted beeratory. Cheers, fellow beer explorers, cheers."
Hazy, cloudy bright orange, afloat with flecks, and a long-lasting, if slim, snowy- white head.
The nose is exactly what you'd imagine. An explosion of orange peel, coriander and hops. Heavy on the orange and spice, with hops providing excellent bitter balance.
In the mouth, boom boom boom, there it goes. Big and bitter, a wheat IPA, ...what? Huh? All the lightness and texture, the citric and spice flavor of a wittier, and the crisp, hoppy appeal of an IPA. Light bodied, brief finish. Hits the palate and quits it. Thirst quenching, distinctly downable.
But, in spite of that, I can't say I like it. I mean, love it. I like it. It's good, sweet, bitter, hoppy, tasty enough...and, you can drink it. But, this conflux does not flip any particular switch for me. Que cera cer
★ 1,473 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Deschutes Conflux Series No. 2, Boulevard Conflux: Ale Brewed with Orange peel and coriander with spices added. Brewed and bottled by Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Oregon. Second in a series, this citrusy, smooth white india pale ale is a fortuitous meeting of Deschutes' hop skills and Boulevards deft wheat touch. What's 1800 miles when a great beer is at stake?
Isn't it how it always works? A few brewers sit around tippling and waxing poetic about what-ifs, wild ideas, and untapped dreams when one suddenly proclaims "why not?" So the conflux series was born, bravely leaping corporate and geographic barriers to jointly explore uncharted beeratory. Cheers, fellow beer explorers, cheers."
Hazy, cloudy bright orange, afloat with flecks, and a long-lasting, if slim, snowy- white head.
The nose is exactly what you'd imagine. An explosion of orange peel, coriander and hops. Heavy on the orange and spice, with hops providing excellent bitter balance.
In the mouth, boom boom boom, there it goes. Big and bitter, a wheat IPA, ...what? Huh? All the lightness and texture, the citric and spice flavor of a wittier, and the crisp, hoppy appeal of an IPA. Light bodied, brief finish. Hits the palate and quits it. Thirst quenching, distinctly downable.
But, in spite of that, I can't say I like it. I mean, love it. I like it. It's good, sweet, bitter, hoppy, tasty enough...and, you can drink it. But, this conflux does not flip any particular switch for me. Que cera cer
★ 1,473 characters
3.63/5 rDev -8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Picked this up because I hadn't seen it before. I also got one with an exp date of 11-10-11... Weird.
The appearance might be my favorite part. This is the first beer I've poured where the head extruded itself out from the top of the glass. It is a bright yellow color, unfiltered, with clumps of yeast floating around amid the lively carbonation.
It smells like nothing else. The wheat is very present, but interestingly cut by citrusy hop aromatics.
The flavor is bright with a little hop bitterness, but overwhelmed by the wheat malt, with herbal notes in the background. Despite the relatively high alcohol content, I actually thought it tasted a little watered down almost.
The mouthfeel is negatively affected by the lightness of the body. The carbonation is pretty lively, but doesn't live long. By the second glass it was nearly flat, and the flavor doesn't seem to linger long, something I would like to see in a what brew.
★ 937 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Picked this up because I hadn't seen it before. I also got one with an exp date of 11-10-11... Weird.
The appearance might be my favorite part. This is the first beer I've poured where the head extruded itself out from the top of the glass. It is a bright yellow color, unfiltered, with clumps of yeast floating around amid the lively carbonation.
It smells like nothing else. The wheat is very present, but interestingly cut by citrusy hop aromatics.
The flavor is bright with a little hop bitterness, but overwhelmed by the wheat malt, with herbal notes in the background. Despite the relatively high alcohol content, I actually thought it tasted a little watered down almost.
The mouthfeel is negatively affected by the lightness of the body. The carbonation is pretty lively, but doesn't live long. By the second glass it was nearly flat, and the flavor doesn't seem to linger long, something I would like to see in a what brew.
★ 937 characters
3.97/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Picked up a bomber from BevMo in early October for $7.99. Best by 11-10-11...whoops.
Beer pour a pale clear yellow with a decent white head that is leaving lacing behind.
Nose is lemon zest, wheat, fresh pepper.
Taste is lemon wheat and white pepper with a decent citrus hop that leads to a semi bitter finish.
Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied with a nice amount of carbonation that lends a refreshing touch.
Overall this is a wonderful summer beer. I would love it if Deschutes bottled sixers for summertime consumption!
★ 529 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Picked up a bomber from BevMo in early October for $7.99. Best by 11-10-11...whoops.
Beer pour a pale clear yellow with a decent white head that is leaving lacing behind.
Nose is lemon zest, wheat, fresh pepper.
Taste is lemon wheat and white pepper with a decent citrus hop that leads to a semi bitter finish.
Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied with a nice amount of carbonation that lends a refreshing touch.
Overall this is a wonderful summer beer. I would love it if Deschutes bottled sixers for summertime consumption!
★ 529 characters
3.7/5 rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
The other half of the collaboration tasted laterally. This was closer to the style, with a pronounced dryness. Significant coriander, white pepper. More perceived bitterness, with a mild hop aroma. Likely better consumed with food, I thought the drinkability was fine but limited. Slightly hazy whitish coloured body.Thanks again, Tom.
★ 335 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
The other half of the collaboration tasted laterally. This was closer to the style, with a pronounced dryness. Significant coriander, white pepper. More perceived bitterness, with a mild hop aroma. Likely better consumed with food, I thought the drinkability was fine but limited. Slightly hazy whitish coloured body.Thanks again, Tom.
★ 335 characters
4.12/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
big thanks to tom for bringing this to our last tasting!
22oz bottle poured into a snifter. served along side the boulevard version.
pours out a pale yellowish golden color, maybe the slightest bit darker than the boulevard version. nice looking white head, cloudy.
a slight dank hoppy aroma, lemon citrus, white pepper, phenoly belgian yeast.
again, a little bit of that dank lemony citrus hops, moderate bitterness in the finish. a little bit more of a spicey pepper than the boulevard, phenoly belgian yeast.
crisp, medium body, good feeling carbonation.
overall, these beers were soo very similar. blindfolded, i dont think i would even be able to tell that i was drinking 2 different beers. that being said, if i had to pick one, it would be the boulevard version. really love this idea, more breweries need to start doing a colab like this. also, if i did something like this again, i would definatly do it as a blind tasting.
★ 939 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
big thanks to tom for bringing this to our last tasting!
22oz bottle poured into a snifter. served along side the boulevard version.
pours out a pale yellowish golden color, maybe the slightest bit darker than the boulevard version. nice looking white head, cloudy.
a slight dank hoppy aroma, lemon citrus, white pepper, phenoly belgian yeast.
again, a little bit of that dank lemony citrus hops, moderate bitterness in the finish. a little bit more of a spicey pepper than the boulevard, phenoly belgian yeast.
crisp, medium body, good feeling carbonation.
overall, these beers were soo very similar. blindfolded, i dont think i would even be able to tell that i was drinking 2 different beers. that being said, if i had to pick one, it would be the boulevard version. really love this idea, more breweries need to start doing a colab like this. also, if i did something like this again, i would definatly do it as a blind tasting.
★ 939 characters
4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a bomber into a 12oz tulip as two servings.
Pours an excellent muted golden yellow color with a light white head that lingers. Beer has a hazy appearance due to sediment suspended though it slowly heads south. Awesome citrus flavors come through immediately with the orange peel and lemongrass being most obvious though the coriander sticks up for itself. Wheat notes are evident as well.
Beer begins with nice smooth and slightly sweet citrus flavors balanced by some of the spice. These flavors pleasantly give way, though still lurking, to the presence of hop flavors which include some more citrus yet balanced with a slight floral tones and muted bitterness at the end. In some ways this is like a beer fruit snack with a bitter end.
This is one experiment I enjoyed. The balance between white beer and IPA is nearly dead on. It has enough of a noticeable hop presence at the end to keep hopheads happy but enough texture and flavor at the opening to lure in wit bier fans. Throw in an great bridge between the two and we have a winner.
★ 1,056 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a bomber into a 12oz tulip as two servings.
Pours an excellent muted golden yellow color with a light white head that lingers. Beer has a hazy appearance due to sediment suspended though it slowly heads south. Awesome citrus flavors come through immediately with the orange peel and lemongrass being most obvious though the coriander sticks up for itself. Wheat notes are evident as well.
Beer begins with nice smooth and slightly sweet citrus flavors balanced by some of the spice. These flavors pleasantly give way, though still lurking, to the presence of hop flavors which include some more citrus yet balanced with a slight floral tones and muted bitterness at the end. In some ways this is like a beer fruit snack with a bitter end.
This is one experiment I enjoyed. The balance between white beer and IPA is nearly dead on. It has enough of a noticeable hop presence at the end to keep hopheads happy but enough texture and flavor at the opening to lure in wit bier fans. Throw in an great bridge between the two and we have a winner.
★ 1,056 characters
3.8/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz bottle poured into a tulip glass
A - Pours a hazy golden color with a one-finger, frothy white head. Decent head retention. Spotty lacing left behind on the glass. Some sediment can also be seen floating around when the glass is held up to the light.
S - Pretty much what I expected: coriander, orange peel and lemon zest, spices, pepper and Belgian yeast combine with hints of floral and citrus hops to create a pleasant aroma. Scents of perfume seem to finish out the aroma.
T - A fruitiness made up of pears and citrus blended with spices, coriander and wheat. Phenols and floral notes as well.
M - Light bodied with large amounts of carbonation. Some slight prickly sensation from the carbonation. This beer is crisp, refreshing and clean. However, I was expecting more of a dry finish. This beer goes down pretty easy. I blew through my bomber in no time. A slightly dry finish. No traces of alcohol.
O - The whole witbier/IPA hybrid idea is a interesting idea but this one is more witbier than IPA. I would have liked the hops to play a bigger role in the beer. That being said, I still enjoyed this beer and found it refreshing and easy to drink.
★ 1,167 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz bottle poured into a tulip glass
A - Pours a hazy golden color with a one-finger, frothy white head. Decent head retention. Spotty lacing left behind on the glass. Some sediment can also be seen floating around when the glass is held up to the light.
S - Pretty much what I expected: coriander, orange peel and lemon zest, spices, pepper and Belgian yeast combine with hints of floral and citrus hops to create a pleasant aroma. Scents of perfume seem to finish out the aroma.
T - A fruitiness made up of pears and citrus blended with spices, coriander and wheat. Phenols and floral notes as well.
M - Light bodied with large amounts of carbonation. Some slight prickly sensation from the carbonation. This beer is crisp, refreshing and clean. However, I was expecting more of a dry finish. This beer goes down pretty easy. I blew through my bomber in no time. A slightly dry finish. No traces of alcohol.
O - The whole witbier/IPA hybrid idea is a interesting idea but this one is more witbier than IPA. I would have liked the hops to play a bigger role in the beer. That being said, I still enjoyed this beer and found it refreshing and easy to drink.
★ 1,167 characters
4.27/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a bomber into a Sam Adams pint.
A: Pours a hazy, yellow color with one-half finger of nearly white head. Some retention and lace.
S: Nice, hoppy belgian esters. Mellow lemon and peppery spices.
T: Leads with the pepper, adds some semi-sweet fruit in the middle, and ends with a lightly bitter, oaky finish. Very nice flavor.
M: Pretty light, creamy carbonation.
O: A very nice belgian IPA. Wish I could have had this side-by-side with the Boulevard version for a closer comparison. In any case, a delicious beer. Would be very happy if one or both of them would make this again.
★ 595 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a bomber into a Sam Adams pint.
A: Pours a hazy, yellow color with one-half finger of nearly white head. Some retention and lace.
S: Nice, hoppy belgian esters. Mellow lemon and peppery spices.
T: Leads with the pepper, adds some semi-sweet fruit in the middle, and ends with a lightly bitter, oaky finish. Very nice flavor.
M: Pretty light, creamy carbonation.
O: A very nice belgian IPA. Wish I could have had this side-by-side with the Boulevard version for a closer comparison. In any case, a delicious beer. Would be very happy if one or both of them would make this again.
★ 595 characters
Conflux No. 2 from Deschutes Brewery
3.98
out of 5
based on 258 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Looks like a belgian wit ipa and whatnot. Good hops in the aroma, some spice rack, some coriander.
Good hopping, good wheat use, mild orange rind. This really is a good blend of styles, I was impressed. Chewy wheat aspect mouthfeel.
★ 238 characters