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Last weekend, I threw up a post about having the strange luck of showing up in Portland the night Deschutes and Boulevard roll out their collaboration to the public. The blind squirrel finds a nut, eh? They weren't serving the final product, but one of three "test" batches. I decided to capitalize on my good fortune and shoot over to Green Dragon to try the brew. It poured a nice hazy orange, looks very unfiltered, with a light and thin head. Smells of sage and maybe a hint of lemon grass. The taste was very sage, almost a bit much, with hints of fresh cut grass, a saison/wheat flavor backbone, with a teeny bit of hop flavor. I question the "IPA" in the name a bit, but maybe the hops were hidden well by the sage and other spices.
Overall, the brew didn't knock me off my chair or anything, but I was pretty happy and was left very refreshed. To be honest, I can't recall tasting anything quite like it, so I'm not really sure what to compare it to...and being unique is a great thing in a industry with 1700 breweries. Again, this was only a test brew, so I expect the final product to be a little different, maybe a bit more refined. I definitely like where this beer is headed and can't wait for it's release later in the year. I'm drooling already...
Imbibilicious, out.
Deschutes Brewery and Boulevard Brewery have announced that they will be collaborating on a beer this summer, to be brewed separately at both breweries and released simultaneously to the thirsty masses. First thought? Marty McFly and Doc Brown; two great forces coming together, complimenting each other in order to produce a truly epic result (“Ronald Reagan?!?!” The actor?!?!”).
For those unfamiliar with Deschutes Brewery, you should feel sad – located in Bend, Oregon, the brewery has long had a reputation for “pushing the envelope” and changing the beer drinking populous in its corner of the continent. Typically, its beers are hoppy ales, with a focus on using technology, high quality ingredients, and innovation to deliver such masterpieces as “The Abyss”. If you can find their beers, buy them.
Equally innovative and equally delicious, Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City, MO, has grown to become the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest, dedicated to producing beers that have changed the Midwest drinking landscape and contributing to sleepless nights for that Evil Empire located four hours due East. They produce such innovative beers as their limited edition Bourbon Barrel Quad (BBQ), their Chocolate Ale, and their Harvest Dance wheat wine.
Each beer will be produced as a white IPA, but will be slightly different in taste and will be distributed as offerings in each brewer’s latest series of beers – number 2 in the Conflux collaboration series for Deschutes, and Collaboration No. 2 in Boulevard’s Smokestack series.
Folks, get excited, mark your calendars, and start cleaning your tulip glasses – this, you do not want to miss.
