THE DRINK NATION IS A FREE RESOURCE FOR FINDING EVERYTHING AWESOME ABOUT DRINKING IN YOUR LOCATION

Beer Review: Deschutes Chainbreaker White IPA

by The Drink Nation on Jul 1, 2013 in Beer
Beer Review: Deschutes Chainbreaker White IPA

Even the most fervent IPA fans will admit that after a while, the bitterness of hops can tire your palate and get in the way of enjoying the bright, piney citrus flavors the hop flower provides. Deschutes Brewery from Bend, OR, solves that issue entirely in its Chainbreaker White IPA.

Thanks to both wheat and pilsner malt in the brew, this unique beer has all the fresh, floral flavor you’d want from an IPA, but with a smooth, subtle finish. Poured from a 12-oz. bottle, a not-too-pale golden liquid holds a tightly spaced, bright white head for several minutes. Like a Belgian wit, Chainbreaker is brewed with both coriander and orange, and these scents both come through on the nose.

Sipping the beer brings these flavors and additional hoppy, citrus spice to your tongue, but the finish is smooth, rolling through banana notes and finishing with only a tiny, tiny hint of bitterness. It’s easily washed away by the next sip, and drinking a whole glass is much more refreshing than less-stringent wheat beers usually are. The quad of flowers — Bravo, Citra, Centennial and Cascade — make the hops that you do taste unique and complex.

Think of Chainbreaker White IPA as a lovechild made from crossing a hoppy pale ale with a Belgian wit with an American wheat beer. The hybrid style, which comes in at 5.6% ABV and just 55 IBUs, was first created as an homage to mountain biking season, hence the name and also the graphics on the bottle. Brewer Jake Harper refers to both bike trails and this beer as “gnarly” and “slightly gritty” — in a good way.

The resulting beer took the silver medal in the American-Belgo Style Ale category at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival, appropriate because Deschutes this year celebrates its silver anniversary. Also good news: Deschutes is now available in many East Coast cities for the first time this summer, and this is a perfect beer to use for a toast to the 25-year-old craft brewing pioneer.

Photos by Danya Henninger

Recent Articles

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
Inside Look: Campari's Stylish North American Headquarters in New York

Inside Look: Campari's Stylish North American Headquarters in New York

If you're a frequent Negroni drinker, always order Wild Turkey Bourbon in your old fashioneds, or prefer your ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jan 9, 2020
Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

For this exciting installment of Behind the Bar, we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Liana Oster, the head bartender at Dante in New Yo...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jan 7, 2020
Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

PBR has launched their own whiskey. Let's keep an open mind and see what is inside this bottle....read more ›

by Carrie Dow Sep 24, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Store Rectangle
The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

There's a new investigative series about one of the biggest scandals to ever hit the wine world....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Sep 13, 2019
Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Scientists may have discovered a more environmentally friendly way to make one of the world's most popular spi...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jul 23, 2019
Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Negroni Week 2019 is June 24-30, so drink this classic cocktail for a good cause....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jun 19, 2019
What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

If you're taking an Uber, Lyft, or cab and feel unsafe, there are steps you can take to protect yourself....read more ›

by Nina Starner Jun 19, 2019
Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

This time on Behind the Bar, we spoke to Kat Corbo of The Study, who recently won Speed Rack 2019....read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 15, 2019
Boston Beer & Dogfish Head Have Merged in a $300 Million Deal

Boston Beer & Dogfish Head Have Merged in a $300 Million Deal

In a huge move for the American craft beer community, Boston Beer and Dogfish Head have agreed to a merger valued at $300 million dollars. ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 10, 2019
A New, High-End Blend of Jack Daniel's Whiskey is Now Available in the United States

A New, High-End Blend of Jack Daniel's Whiskey is Now Available in the United States

A new, high-end blend of Jack Daniel's whiskey, known as Jack Daniel's No. 27 Gold, which was previously only ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Apr 15, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Home Bar Project Bottom Rectangle 2
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close