Sampling included:
- Deschutes / Boulevard White IPA #2
- Mirror Pond Fresh Hopped Ale
- Inversion IPA
- Hop in the Dark
- Obsidian Stout
- The Stoic
We started off with the Boulevard Collaboration #2; a white IPA. This particular beer actually has the same recipe as Deschutes' Conflux #2, but is brewed in Oregon whereas Collaboration is brewed in the midwest. A white IPA could be described as a mash-up of a White Belgian Wheat and an India Pale Ale.
As you should be able to see in the picture, these are cloudy very pale beers. Spice and the mellow wheat flavor match nicely with the light bitterness and floral finish of the hops. Despite having exact copies of the recipes there was a distinctly different impression on the two. Deschutes' brought a smoother, hoppier approach with the spice and hops leaving a lasting impression. Boulevard had more of an upfront flavor, slightly more carbonated as well as being significantly cloudier and lighter in color. Flavors on both were orange, coriander, citrus, and yeast.
Hops used were Bravo, Citra, Cascade, and Centennial. Malt Profile: Pilsner, wheat, and oats.
8% ABV and a respectable 60 IBUs
As for the Mirror Pond Ale, it also shares a recipe. Unchanged from the standard Mirror Pond, the hops are added to the brewing process within 24 hours. Not only is the flavor surprisingly different, it also seems to change the fermentation with the regular having more (we were able to try them side by side).
We both thought the smell was both stronger and superior, offering up a "wetter" taste. Sort of a dank plant-like or grassy flavor. Hard to describe, but it adds a lot of substance to the brew.
The Inversion IPA is great. It is a more balanced IPA, with a high amount of hops without being overpowering. A caramel malt taste up front is chased by the floral aspect from the hops. This is an excellent IPA for someone looking to try IPAs that prefers darker beers or ambers.
Having Hop in the Dark again was fun, I just keep wanting to come back to it. Sam said it's "coffee with full bodied in-your-face flavor>"
To top off the night, we sampled The Stoic. A quadruple belgian ale. These are made by brewing and barrel aging four different ales, then combining them before bottling. The Stoic offers up a sweet and rich smell, thick (but not too thick) body, and a pinot noir and pomegranate flavor that rises to the top and lingers in the mouth. Despite being 11% ABV there is no alchohol flavor to be had. I thought it tasted like the holidays, particularly Thanksgiving.
Definitely one to drink slow and savor, this beer reminds me of drinking a barley wine. Perhaps the easiest beer for a wine drinker to transition to? Deep and inviting, pick up a bottle if you can find it. Would likely age well.
What was our favorite? I'd say Fresh Hopped Mirror Pond Pale Ale, we had a chance to have it on tap at a bar a week or so later and really liked it. It's best I think around 45 degrees.
