Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA

Tasting Notes

The aroma leads with bright citrus — grapefruit and orange peel — backed by a light tropical undercurrent that comes from the Citra and Mosaic hops. On the palate, the bitterness is firm but not aggressive, with the fruit character carrying through into a clean, moderately dry finish. The body sits in the middle range for the style, substantial enough to carry the hops without feeling heavy. There's little malt interference here — this is a hop-forward beer that lets the dry-hopping do most of the talking.

About the Brewery

Deschutes is based in Bend, Oregon, and has been operating since 1988, making it one of the Pacific Northwest's longer-standing craft breweries. They built their reputation on accessible, well-constructed beers — Black Butte Porter and Mirror Pond Pale Ale are enduring examples — and have grown into one of the larger regional craft operations in the country. Their lineup spans a wide range of styles, but they've remained particularly strong in hop-forward ales that reflect the Pacific Northwest's hop-growing heritage.

Food Pairings

Spicy fish tacos work well here because the citrus hop character mirrors the lime and hot sauce without fighting them. A grilled chicken sandwich with avocado and pickled onions finds a natural partner in the beer's grapefruit bitterness, which cuts through the fat cleanly. Thai green curry — aromatic and moderately spicy — plays off the tropical hop notes in a complementary way. Sharp cheddar or aged gouda holds up to the bitterness and brings out the beer's subtle malt backbone. Grilled shrimp with a citrus marinade echoes the hop profile and keeps the whole pairing feeling cohesive.

Style Guide

The American IPA is defined by assertive hop bitterness, prominent hop aroma, and a relatively lean malt base that keeps the focus on the hops rather than sweetness. ABVs typically run from about 6% to 7.5%, and dry-hopping — adding hops after fermentation — is standard practice to maximize aroma without adding bitterness. The style diverged from its English ancestor by favoring American hop varieties like Cascade, Citra, and Mosaic, which skew toward citrus, pine, and tropical fruit rather than the earthy, floral notes of British hops. It's distinct from a Double IPA primarily in intensity and alcohol, not in fundamental character.