Beer Review: Deschutes Hop Henge IPA

Hop Henge Imperial IPA from Oregon's Deschutes Brewery is not a typical Pacific Northwest IPA. It's not really a typical anything IPA. The first thing that's noticible about this beer is grapefruit. The aroma of grapefruit attacks from the moment it's opened, and doesn't let up. It's up front in the nose, and lingers long on the palate. Citrus notes are typical of a PNW IPA. However, it completely lacks the resinous pine that one would also expect from the region, and instead backs up the citrus with an earthy spiciness more like a good English IPA. And all of it comes very strong. It's rated at only 95 IBUs, but I've tested 120 IBU-rated beers that were less bitter. The body is dark and rich, but without the stong maltiness one would normally expect to balance such intense hoppiness, particularly in a beer with this high an alcohol level, 8.1% abv. It's there, but light and barely noticible under all the citrus and spice. This is a flaw, but not that much of one. The lingering grapefruit rind aftertaste does much to give the beer it's base, so it doesn't depend as much on the malt. Still, there's a feeling of something missing, particularly in the finish.

A very good beer for hardcore hopheads looking for something unique and interesting; but probably a bit too idiosyncratic for most people, and too unbalanced for the serious connoisseur.