This is a Northwest Pale Ale. So, what’s the difference between an Indian Pale and a Northwest one? Besides seasonal depression, financially crippling coffee addiction and a genetic predisposition to passive-aggressiveness, we do things…our way. Usually that means bigger. Yup, in the land of Prius’ (or is it Prii?) and $300,000 400 square foot condos, we actually do our beer bigger than anyone else. Suck it Texas! Typically, when a beer is designated “NW” that means you’ll find about a handful of extra hops and a bit more malt as well. And of course, NW hops (Cascade mostly). However, this is a NW take on an IPA. To go “bigger” on an IPA usually ends up in disaster (except to those most extreme hop heads that won’t drink anything under 80 IBUs), so rather than “bigger”, it’s…. unique. Quirky. Weird.
Deschutes Brewery is one of my favorite Northwest Brewers. I haven’t met one of their beers that I haven’t liked yet. And Mirror Pond Pale Ale is one of the absolute best examples of an American Pale Ale you can find. But we’re talking Red Chair here. Red Chair isn’t available in Washington and Oregon in January like it is everywhere else. Instead, we get it when their Cinder Cone Red Ale runs out here (and it runs out quick, because it’s freaking awesome). Okay, on to the beer.
ABV: 6.4%
IBU: 60
Appearance:
This beer pours a nice head that sticks around for a bit (typical of a high hopped beer) with some lacing and is a deep copper color.
Aroma:
This is a NW ale, so yeah, citrus hops. I didn’t get any of the typical grapefruit, it was more of an orange citrus. Caramel maltiness was there in the background letting me know that this beer wasn’t skimping on the malt in favor of a hop-dump. Also just a bit of hop spice, and a nice subtle resin aroma, I suspect from Amarillo hops? But the citrus hop aroma definitely dominates.
Flavor:
Damn! Not your typical IPA, which is good. I’m not a huge fan of IPAs, mostly because it’s hard to find a good one. Most American IPAs lack the malt necessary to balance out the hop bitterness. No body, just a truckload of hops. But not Red Chair. Deschutes used 7 different types of malt to fill their grain bill, and it shows. The malt flavor is complex, with caramel, toffee and a sharp spice that seems to come from the malt rather than the hops. Or maybe not.
The bitterness is right where it should be for this style. It isn’t in the background, it’s right there punching you in the face. But there isn’t the usual after IPA pucker-face inducing cloying bitterness that leaves you wanting to order some water before your next pint. There is a complex spicy hop flavor that pairs really well with the overall malt flavor, which gives this beer the balance that so many other IPAs out there lack. This beer would pair well with any type of spicy dish (I had some with Moroccan chili, and it was awesome.)
Mouthfeel: Medium.
Should you buy this beer? What……you mean you haven’t already? This beer is great. If you like hoppy beers, but get tired of the hop-bomb IPAs with no character, you need to try some Red Chair. Try some cold out of the fridge and expect the citrusy hop aroma and flavor to be front and center. Let it warm a bit to proper drinking temperature and enjoy the resiny aroma and flavor of the NW hops, and the smooth caramel of the malt.
Cheers.
John
mistressothepit
Darrin
Andy
Adam
beerisdirus
bretimusmaximus
April 26, 2012
Awesome review my friend! Red Chair is currently easily my personal favorite. On draft at the Wilde Rover down the street, this is the beer to be tried right now for the stereotypical hop-head and the I’maPA’s of Seattle… Its just so damn drinkable and irresistible. The aroma gets you excited, but then when the brilliant balance of NW hops and sufficient malt kick in and it tastes even better than it aromates… damn. Good stuff. I like your blog. Literally, I liked it. There was a button so I pushed it. Lookin forward to checking’ out your other reviews!