Deschutes Hop Trip
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Tasting Notes
Hop Trip leads with fresh, resinous hop aroma — pine, a bit of citrus peel, and some grassy notes characteristic of whole-cone hops used at harvest. On the palate it's moderately bitter with a dry, clean malt backbone that stays out of the way and lets the hops do the talking. The body is on the lighter side for the style, which keeps things focused rather than heavy. The finish is dry and lingering with a pleasant bitterness that fades cleanly.
About the Brewery
Deschutes Brewery is based in Bend, Oregon, founded in 1988, and is one of the Pacific Northwest's most established craft operations. They built their reputation on well-executed standards like Black Butte Porter and Mirror Pond Pale Ale before expanding into more adventurous territory. They operate a large production facility and maintain a strong regional presence across the western United States, with national distribution as well.
Food Pairings
The resinous, piney bitterness works well alongside grilled chicken or pork, where char from the grill softens the hop edge. Fish tacos with a citrus slaw echo the beer's citrus notes while the carbonation cuts through fried elements. A sharp aged cheddar or pepper jack holds up to the bitterness without being overwhelmed. Spicy dishes like green chile or Thai curry find a counterbalance in the dry, hoppy finish.
Style Guide
American IPA is defined by assertive hop bitterness and aroma derived predominantly from American hop varieties, which tend toward citrus, pine, and tropical or resinous character. Malt presence is intentionally restrained — enough to provide structure but not to compete with the hops. The style emerged from the West Coast craft brewing movement in the 1980s and 1990s and diverged from its English IPA ancestor by dialing up hop intensity and dialing down residual sweetness. At 5.5% this example sits on the lower end of the typical ABV range, which spans roughly 5.5–7.5%.