Beer Review: Inversion IPA from Deschutes Brewery

Alc. 6.8% | IBUs 80 Deschutes Home

Continuing my review of beer from Deschutes Brewery finally leads to their Inversion IPA. Now I am an IPA guy. I love the bitters. I am an IBU hunter. I like high ABV and high IBU IPAs. Inversion IPA has both in decent amounts without going overboard.

Look: There is bubbly amber written all over this. I think I poured poorly as it is not normally this heady. But it isn't without a fair showing during a normal poor. It's pretty beautiful to look through.

Smell: Sweet. Yes, as this beer warmed up I smelt some sweetness. It contrasted quite wonderfully with the blast of hops. Six different hops (Millennium, Horizon, Centennial, Northern Brewer, Cascade, Citra). There is flora. Citrus. Awesome flavor this beer has. It might even smell better than it tastes.

Taste: For an IPA I am always surprised by how smooth the front end of this beer is. The finish is gentle and "wet" (e.g. the opposite of dry). It's an IPA so the bitterness is there but it's nothing compared to the hoppy smell. The bitterness really reveals itself in the back end after the sweetness has long subsided.

Thoughts: Though smooth and sweet (when warmed up), the 6.8% is apparent throughout this beer. It is a "full-bodied" beer and an excellent IPA. This bitter after is long lasting and delicious. A reminder of all the hoppy goodness you smell at the start.

Rating: A-