Deschutes rarely disappoints, but The Dissident is a limited-edition release that is always a stunner—and sure to sell out quickly. With 65% of the ale aged in French oak wine barrels and 35% brewed with Oregon cherries, then aged over 18 months in isolation (due to the Brett, to avoid contaminating the brewery's other beers), it's certainly not short on complexity. Oaky tones are currently front and center on the nose, coming through in waves of sweet spice and toasted wood that grace the red cherry, plum and grape core. Ample malt flavor grounds the palate, with sweet tones of vanilla and baking spice that lend richness to the tart cherry and lifted vinous flavors. A lingering wood-grain astringency hangs on through the finish. This is just starting to come into its own, and will be best enjoyed in 2017 and the next few years.
Deschutes rarely disappoints, but The Dissident is a limited-edition release that is always a stunner—and sure to sell out quickly. With 65% of the ale aged in French oak wine barrels and 35% brewed with Oregon cherries, then aged over 18 months in isolation (due to the Brett, to avoid contaminating the brewery's other beers), it's certainly not short on complexity. Oaky tones are currently front and center on the nose, coming through in waves of sweet spice and toasted wood that grace the red cherry, plum and grape core. Ample malt flavor grounds the palate, with sweet tones of vanilla and baking spice that lend richness to the tart cherry and lifted vinous flavors. A lingering wood-grain astringency hangs on through the finish. This is just starting to come into its own, and will be best enjoyed in 2017 and the next few years.
Deschutes rarely disappoints, but The Dissident is a limited-edition release that is always a stunner—and sure to sell out quickly. With 65% of the ale aged in French oak wine barrels and 35% brewed with Oregon cherries, then aged over 18 months in isolation (due to the Brett, to avoid contaminating the brewery's other beers), it's certainly not short on complexity. Oaky tones are currently front and center on the nose, coming through in waves of sweet spice and toasted wood that grace the red cherry, plum and grape core. Ample malt flavor grounds the palate, with sweet tones of vanilla and baking spice that lend richness to the tart cherry and lifted vinous flavors. A lingering wood-grain astringency hangs on through the finish. This is just starting to come into its own, and will be best enjoyed in 2017 and the next few years.