Top Oregon IPAs
By Aubrey Laurence
Oregon IPAs are as diverse as the brewers that make them, and it’s no easy feat to pick just 10 to share with our readers. However, these mouth-watering delights – presented in no particular order – will have you cruising into fall with some hops in your step.
Wanderlust IPA
by Breakside Brewery, Portland
Complexity builds with each sip. Its malt side is filled with notes of fresh bread, nuts and caramel, and its hop side has wafting notes of sappy pine, fresh-cut grass and juicy citrus. All of its flavors blend harmoniously, and it finishes with the perfect amount of bitterness.
Imperial Pelican Ale
by Pelican Brewing Co., Pacific City
Previously called India Pelican Ale at 7.5 percent ABV, but now called Imperial Pelican Ale at 8 percent ABV, this beer falls into that blurry zone between IPAs and imperial IPAs. Regardless, it’s insanely delicious. Malt notes of cookies and bread dough are complemented by hop notes of flowers, spices, spruce tips, tangerines and lemons.
Pallet Jack IPA
by Barley Brown’s Beer, Baker City
Pallet Jack IPA offers floral aromas and loads of tropical fruit and hop resin flavors from the Columbus, Citra, Amarillo and Simcoe hops. This IPA has received multiple Great American Beer Festival medals, including a gold medal in 2013. Its only negative is that it can be hard to find on tap, as the brewery is small and off the beaten path.
Workhorse IPA
by Laurelwood Brewing Co., Portland
The lofty head, golden hue and inviting aromas make your mouth water, then its flavors make your taste buds want to high-five. This wild lupulin ride is tamed by a solid malt backbone. Bold yet balanced, Workhorse is a real treat.
Descender IPA
by GoodLife Brewing Co., Bend
Yet another incredible beer from Bend, Descender IPA has a great malt base with notes of caramel and toast, and it merges seamlessly with assertive hop accents of dank pine, tangerines and grapefruit rind.
www.goodlifebrewing.com/index.html
Apocalypse IPA
by 10 Barrel Brewing Co., Bend
This beer’s enticingly fruity nose will draw you in, and its spicy, piney, peppery and grape-fruity flavors will grip your attention to the last sip. Lesser notes of toast, grains and nuts, plus a balanced amount of sweetness, round out this highly drinkable IPA.
Caldera IPA
by Caldera Brewing Co., Ashland
Caldera is a juicy IPA with nips of lemon, grapefruit and orange, and they are thoughtfully paired with malt elements of caramel, cocoa powder and a subtle, honey-like sweetness.
Inversion IPA
by Deschutes Brewing Co., Bend
This rich and delicious IPA has complex malt flavors of nuts, bread, light caramel and cocoa. Meanwhile, hop flavors and aromas are reminiscent of sun-drenched pine, rose petals, white pepper, lemongrass and grapefruit zest.
Gigantic IPA
by Gigantic Brewing Co., Portland
Richly hopped and balanced with finesse, this full-flavored IPA offers bready-biscuity malt flavors along with citrusy-piney hop flavors. A moderate bitterness leaves behind pleasant, citrusy aromas.
Total Domination IPA
by Ninkasi Brewing Co., Eugene
This aggressively hopped brew offers toasty malt notes with a hint of toffee-like sweetness, along with a big and hoppy blast of tangerine, grapefruit and lemon.
Aubrey is a freelance writer who has written about craft beer, hiking and mountain climbing for more than a decade. He has hiked, climbed and tasted beer across the U.S. and in more than a dozen countries on six continents (but not at the same time). He lives in Bellingham with his No. 1 climbing partner (his wife) and their three cats.
