Deschutes started in 1998 as a small brewpub in Bend, Oregon. During that first year of brewing, Deschutes turned out 398 barrels. To give you a reference point, that’s less than Alexandria’s own Port City Brewing Company does in a month. Fast forward to present day to find Deschutes now brewing over 200,000 barrels a year as the eleventh largest brewery in America. Deschutes brews a vast variety of well-crafted beer that has earned much acclaim over the years. This is Deschutes’ third consecutive year at SAVOR, and I expect more great stuff from the crew from Bend.
Location: Bend, Oregon
Type: Production
Available in DC Market: No
Beer #1: Chainbreaker White IPA (Wheat-India Pale Ale, 5.6 % ABV)
Beer Advocate: B (17 Reviews)
Rate Beer: 76 Overall, 43 Style
Notes: A divisive hybrid of wit and IPA, Chainbreaker features wheat and pilsner malt, classic northwest hops (Bravo, Citra, Centennial, Cascade), Belgian yeast, coriander, and sweet orange. Many raters peg this one as a solid summer sipper, if a bit less nuanced than the brewery’s other offerings.
Beer #2: The Stoic (Belgian-style Quad, 11% ABV)
Beer Advocate: B (175 Reviews)
Rate Beer: 96 Overall, 75 Style
Notes: Now, this one is complex. With four distinct fermentations and a good rest in rye whiskey and wine casks, the Stoic will definitely get you thinking. Expect the golden-orange color, thick head, and fruity esters typical of the style, but don’t be surprised to find a livelier mouthfeel and a tad more hops than usual.
At the moment, Deschutes shuns the East Coast, so every time I get out to the great Northwest, I make it a point to have at least one beer from these guys (I’m partial to Black Butte). And while some Savories may be a bit irked that they’ll be pouring a seasonal – even one that doesn’t show up on our shelves – the sheer force of the Stoic should clam them up right quick. We can only hope and pray that Deschutes will make the leap and enter our market soon.
This profile is a part of the DCBeer SAVOR Brewery Profile series. For more information, follow the link to see profiles of all 2012 SAVOR participants.
Beer Review Disclaimer: The beer reviews found on Beer Advocate and Rate Beer do not represent the opinions of this site. We provide these in the hope that they will serve as a resource showing what some craft beer fans have thought of the beers. These reviews can be a helpful guideline, but are not the be-all end-all about a beer’s strengths or weaknesses.
