Review: Deschutes Brewing Chasin’ Freshies [Fresh Hop]

Author: Jason Harris
October 19, 2012

Deschutes Brewing knows their stuff when it comes to fresh hop beers – in fact, last year they had the most amazing event where they debuted 5 different fresh hop editions of their best beers.

This year, the company is bottling two fresh hop beers, the always great Hop Trip Ale and a brand new one called Chasin’ Freshies, which is an IPA, not just a straight pale ale.

 

Weighing in at 7.2% ABV and a very low 60 IBU, this beer features fresh hops that are rushed from Goschie Farms (from just outside Salem, Oregon) to Bend. According to the site, this special type of Cascase hops is an heirloom strain, from one field, restored from the original rhizome developed at Oregon State University so many years ago.

As you pour Chasin’ Freshies, it’s astounding at how clear this IPA is..as most IPAs are copper in color. This beer is simple, crisp and clean – and displays the hops so well. Most IPAs (especially here in the Norhtwest) are a little heavy and way bitter. This is a clean and smooth IPA that just lets the hops glide onto your tongue.

I’ve had 3 fresh hop beers so far this year, and Chasin’ Freshies is by far the best.

So, how does it taste, it’s bright, fresh and utterly amazing. The hops taste of a citrus quality with a little tropical hint as well. The beer is quite fragrant to the nose. Like Jon says, it’s “super drinkable with a simple but clean malted-rich cracker malt base”.

Head down to your favorite pub or bottle shop and pick up some Freshies today.

 

Review: Deschutes Brewing Hop Trip Ale

Author: Jason Harris
October 26, 2011

Deschutes Brewing, located in Bend, Oregon, is amongst my favorite breweries. This brewery has been around since the mid-80’s and is one of the big boys in micro-breweries based in Oregon, along with Widmer and Bridgeport. Deschutes is available in most of the country, in fact, no matter where you’re from, you’ve likely seen Mirror Pond Pale Ale on tap or in bottles.

In today’s review, we continue the fresh hop ale trend by trying Hop Trip Pale Ale from Deschutes. This beer stands out because the brewers actually drive to my home turf of Salem, Oregon to pick their hops amongst the fields around Oregon’s Capital city. Then, they immediately drive back to Bend to boil the hops immediately and begin the brewing process.

Hop Trip comes in at 38 IBUs and weighs in at 5.4% alcohol. The description on the bottle describes this as a citrousy hoppy beer with fall spice.

Hop Trip pours with very little head and has a copper-red color to it. It’s an appealing looking beer which just makes you even more excited to drink it.

Normally descriptions are justified, and in this, case Hop Trip is exactly as advertised. The Cascade Hops seem like they pop in your mouth upon your first sip. This beer is a little bitter, but a quick spicy aftertaste that makes this a balance hoppy beer. Hop heads will likely think Hop Trip is a little weak, but for hop lovers and those who like a mild IPA, Hop Trip will hit the spot.

Get Thee To Deshcutes For Fresh Hop Beer

Author: Jason Harris
September 27, 2011

Finally, the fresh hop season is upon is. This special time of year comes right as Autumn descends upon our fair State.

Each September, brewers from around the state come to the Willamette Valley to pick hops directly off the vine and boil them immediately into amazing ‘fresh hop’ beers.

This year, Deshcutes Brewing is going all in with special versions of Fresh Hop Mirror Pond Pale, Inversion IPA, Oktoberfest and a few other special ales.

This year is especially unique because Hop Trip will be available in stores as 6-packs as well as the normal 22 oz bottles. Fresh Hop Mirror Pond is available in 22 oz bombers.

So get yourself to a Deschutesutes Pub, in Bend or Portland, today and try out the new ales – you won’t be disappointed!

Review: Red Chair NWPA From Deschutes Brewery

Author: Jason Harris
April 1, 2010

For tonight’s review, I decided to pick up a seasonal from Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon.

Red Chair NWPARed Chair NWPA was named after the oldest operating ski lift at Bend’s local ski mountain, Mt. Bachelor.  To my knowledge, this is the first time Deschutes has decided to bottle this ale that previously was available on a seasonal basis in the pub in downtown Bend.

So, how does it stack up against Deschutes’ other fantastic brews including Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, and Inversion IPA?

In a word: it’s fantastic.  Red Chair is a pale ale with an amazing malty taste.  According to the Red Chair website has as much as seven flavors of malt and the taste shows.  The brewmaster(s) balanced the taste out with an amazing caramel essence.

Red Chair NWPA is a bitter-free, fully flavored ale that is sure to impress the most die-hard beer fan.

Give it a try and leave a comment below on how you like it!  I love to hear others’ opinions on beers.

Review: 2009 Deschutes Brewery Jubelale

Author: Jason Harris
November 26, 2009
Deschutes Brewing Jubelale

I’ve been waiting to sample this years’ Jubelale. You see, every year, Deschutes Brewery out of Bend, Oregon comes out with their Fall seasonal. Each year, it’s a bit different.

However, the description is always the same. Jubelale is a crisp ale brewed with crystal malts and enough hops to make it well balanced. The ale could be described as a darker ale, but not as nutty or malty as a stout or porter.

On another note, Jubelale chooses one local Central Oregon artists and asks him/her to come up with the art work that adorns the Jubleale bottle each year. This is a great move as it features local ale and local artistry in one stroke.

This years’ Jubleale does not disappoint. It’s crisp but refreshing taste compliment the holiday perfectly. Jubelale is a well balanced and flavorful ale that will warm you up as the season turns cold.

Review: Deschutes Brewing Hop Trip Ale

Author: Jason Harris
October 31, 2009

On a recent visit to the Deschutes Brewery Portland location, I had the sheer pleasure of partaking in their Autumn seasonal – Hop Trip Ale.

Hop Trip Ale from Deschuted Brewing

Hop Trip Ale from Deschutes Brewing

This ale has a fun story behind it. You see, there are some great hops grown in the Willamette Valley area of Oregon (where I live). Bend, home to Deschutes Brewery, is a short 3 hour drive from the Valley.

Once a year, the brewers from Bend come over to the Valley to hand-pick their hops. Then, the harvested hops are taken over to Bend and boiled/brewed fresh. Hence the name: Hop Trip Ale

Hop Trip is available from October through December. So, how is this years batch?

In one word: phenomenal! I trialed a pint straight from the keg and enjoyed every sip of it. The hops flavor the beer in a smooth and savory way. This beer isn’t ‘hoppy’ the same way an IPA is – in the sense that IPA is bitter and shocking.

Hop Trip Ale is a bit stronger in flavor than an average pale ale.

So, get a bottle or pint the next time you’re out and about – you won’t regret it!

How Deschutes Makes Hop Trip Happen

Author: Jason Harris
September 28, 2009

Hop Trip Ale is a seasonal from Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon. It’s a great beer that is rich in hoppy flavor. I had no idea how much effort it takes to make this great beer.

Apparently the Bend crew drives over to Salem to get the hops themselves, right off the vine. This all happens in September each year.

Here’s a short film about the process. So cool!