Deschutes Hop Henge Experimental IPA 2011/2013/2014/2018

This 9.3% "Experimental" India Pale Ale is the 2013/2014 release from the Deschutes Brewery of Bend, Oregon. It uses Cascade, Chinook, Centennial hops along with two new experimental hop varieties.

The beer pours copper and amber in color. There is over an inch of thick and creamy off-white to very light tan head. The aroma is ripe orange; soft, round, melons; and pine. The taste mirrors the aromas, the fruit is very bright, ripe, round, sweet, and the pine is slightly stinging. The finish is moderately bitter with some grapefruit astringent burn. It has nice carbonation, but is also smooth and round in the mouth. There is a bit of bubble gum that comes into the aftertaste. This beer was a mixed bag for me, I really liked the aromas and the first part of the taste, but the aftertaste had some odd notes and the lingering bubble gum note was incongruous and bothersome. Still, overall it is worth a try.

2018: The beer pours a bright, light copper and amber. There is nearly an inch of white foam head. The aroma is citrus, oranges and tangerines, along with their peels, and candied oranges, with a touch of caramel. The taste follows the aromas, lots of fruit, orange, big malt, caramel, with some pine, and a massively bitter finish. The beer drinks smooth and ample bodied.

This is what I thought of it in 2011, quite the change (since it is "Experimental", do they change this each year?): This 9.0% ABV beer pours a glowing dark copper-orange-amber in color with a half inch of thick foamy just off-white head.  The aroma is fairly subdued, some tangy, zesty, citrus hops and dark fruits.  The taste is like a massive cherry juice explosion with some lemon zest and a bitter finish.  This is very good, but not at all what I expected.  I guess I was expecting some very hop forward American style IPA.  But this one is unique.