Deschutes – Hop in the Dark

Deschutes is a fantastic brewer and I have wanted to try their Cascadian Dark Ale called Hop in the Dark (6.5% ABV and 70 IBU) that is seasonal and only available May – September.  Hop in the Dark fits in one of the newer styles recognized by the BJCP named “American-style India Black Ale” and the brewers in the Pacific NW were not too happy about this as they prefer the name Cascadian Dark Ale.  To further complicate matters, some call this style Black IPA.  Regardless, Hop in the Dark is fantastic.  It pours dark with a large head and has a nice hop aroma.  The web site describes Hop in the Dark as, “Can an IPA be black?  Semantics aside, this noir version has subtle coffee undertones born of a blend of oats with dark, Munich and crystal malts. What emerges is something deeper, less orthodox, and all its own. After 22 trial runs in our Bend and Portland pubs, we got it right.”  This is a really nice beer and after 22 trial runs, I would say Deschutes definitely got it right.