Deschutes Hop Henge is an interesting idea for beer. They shake things up each year with different hops and any new hop-related processes or techniques developed recently. Sounds similar to the wet hop seasonal IPAs but with less focus on ultra-fresh hops and more on doing something slightly different.
This year they went with Millennium hops which aren’t new and as the name implies are from the year 2000. I’d never heard of Millennium hops until reading about this beer. According to Hop Union they’re used for bittering and “resinous with herbal and floral tones.” Anyway, here’s Deschutes blurb, then facts on the beer and my thoughts after the jump.
Stonehenge is a mystery. Hop Henge is a discovery. Millennium, Cascade, Centennial and Chinook hops come together to erect a hop sanctuary. Revere the almighty hop!
Style: IPA
ABV: 9.5%
IBU: 90
Calories: 504 per bomber
Malt: Pale, Munich
Hops: Millennium, Cascade, Centennial, Chinook
Available: December – April
Great copper color with fantastic clarity allowing you to see the incredible carbonation. All this is topped off with a fluffy white head of tiny bubbles that shows no signs of diminishing.
Stinky citrus hops with strong orange aroma. No noticeable malts coming to the nose.
Noticeably bitter flavor outweighs the malt sweetness by a strong margin. That hop bitterness comes with more clementine/orange hop flavors like the aroma but also a fair hand of pine. Toffee and light biscuit malts round out the tongue.
Surprisingly lighter medium body. While my eyes enjoyed the sight of plenty of carbonation my mouth was let down.
It’s an enjoyable west coast styled IPA showing off lots of bitterness and citrus hops. Personally I was never huge on the west coast levels of bitterness and always preferred east coast tropical fruit bombs. If you’re into extra bitter IPAs this is one for you. The orange flavors are also interesting, I don’t think I’ve ever had any beer with this strong of an orange flavor… well except for when I foolishly ordered a Blue Moon and got a slice of orange on it.
FULL DISCLOSURE: Deschutes was awesome enough to send this to me to review. To our readers, and any breweries interested in sending me samples, giving me free beer does not guarantee you a favorable review, though I do promise to review your product and publish a post on it.
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