A taste of… Hop Trip 2009

Deschutes Brewery
901 SW Simpson Ave.,
Bend, OR 97702
USA
541.385.8606

Preface: This is another sample sent by the folks at Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon. The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew. It arrived via delivery service and has been stored in a cool, dry, dark place (a Brooklyn apartment). I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of a creating a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

Note: The label notes – Best by 01/09/10… today is 01/11/10

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: An orange amber brew throws a bit of a haze but seems a bit cool. The carbonation is quite lively and forms a presentable light yellow-brown head of tiny to small sized bubbles that leave a well tatted lace on the sides of the glass.

Aroma: The first sensation is of fresh cut hops. The second impression recognizes a slight background of sweet grain to add substance to the first impression. The third trip reveals a well balanced sensation with a preference for the flowery accents of the hops.

Mouth feel: The moment between sip and lip

Flavor: First to arrive is a roasted grain impression The second impression introduces a rather shy flower flavor in place of the rather forward first aromatic impression of herb. The third swallow starts out, arrives and finished with a smooth, very balanced presentation of both grain and bine.

Finish: The finishes, like an always welcome guest, leaves a pleasant impression and doesn’t linger too long.

Comments: I have a feeling that I am just catching the last gasp of the featured hop fest. However, even at the advanced age of this bottle, the balance is maintained against a sweet grain that refuses to take over.

Beer and Food: If I still had a case of this brew I would scrounge up a bushel or two of oysters and see who lasted the longest; the beer, the oysters or me.


The Brewery: http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/

What others say:

BeerAdvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/63/26395 (double check - might not be above brew)

RateBeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/deschutes-hop-trip/51917/ (double check - might not be above brew)