Deschutes Hop in the Dark C.D.A.

Deschutes Brewery Hop in the Dark C.D.A. (Cascadian Dark Ale)

Where purchased: Tamura’s Fine Wine and Liquor

Cost: $5.99

ABV: 6.8%

Size: 22oz

I'm a fan of porters and stouts.  I really enjoy the coffee and chocolate flavors that roasted barley and grains impart on a beer.  I'm also a fan of IPAs and some highly hopped ales.  Lately, I've been noticing a few beers that mix the dark roasted flavor of a porter with the hoppiness of an IPA.  This is Deschutes' take on a dark ale using roasted malt and hops to provide that IPA character.  

When I initially opened the beer, the nose on this beer was a predominantly roasted malts and coffee.  It actually smelled like I walked into a room after coffee was just brewed.  But, as the beer warmed a little, the smell of the hops started to become more noticeable.  The smell of the hops did have a bit of citrus character to it, but it was faint.  The initial flavors on the front of the tongue was slightly bitter, while the mid palette was of roasted malt and coffee.  By the time the beer washed over the back of my palette, the flavors of hoppy citrus started to take over.  

Overall, I was happy with the flavors of this beer.  I really enjoyed being able to experience the coffee flavors of a porter, while also being able to enjoy a bit of citrus hops.