Deschutes Brewery officially launched Squeezy Rider West Coast IPA in March, as the newest beer in its “Fresh Family” of IPAs that started with Fresh Squeezed IPA. The brewery sent me samples, and I noted that Deschutes is being coy about IBUs in the beer:

What about bitterness units (IBU)? As hopping has moved from hot side to cold side, less isomerization contributes to increased IBUs. With the increased hop flavor and perceived bitterness, it’s inaccurately depicted by analytical IBU!

It’s 7% ABV and the press release reveals that it’s known internally as a “neo-West coast IPA.”

Otherwise, it’s a showcase for Strata hops, utilized on the late side to emphasize a “juicy” character while not straying overtly into “hazy” territory. Here’s some inside baseball info from the press release:

Brewers geek out notes: 2-row, Munich, and Wheat malt and gnarly amounts of Strata hops in deliver a punch of tropical passionfruit with a hint of dankness. Mosaic™ and Galaxy™ hops support- lending notes of pineapple, mango, and another layer of dank. ​This beer ferments with Juice (A38) at temperatures as chill as West Coast vibes. Dry hopping during active fermentation, a process typical for New England style IPA, allows for biotransformation of hop compounds, creating a unique, bright tropical aroma not often found in West Coast-style IPAs.

(I think “biotransformation” is the hot new buzzword in brewing, but it’s not a new thing.)

A note about the name. With a lineup of beers in the “Fresh” family, I’d expect to base names of new beer off that word, fresh, rather than the “squeeze” part of that name (Lil’ Squeezy notwithstanding). Of course I know naming new beers is difficult these days, with thousands upon thousands of breweries and beers in the market competing for shelf space and trademark issues… but really. “Squeezy Rider” is just a little out of place and doesn’t connect it to the series in my mind (and doesn’t make me think hops or IPA at all). It is what it is.

Appearance: Copper colored, classic pale appearance with golden highlights, an unfiltered hazy look (not intentionally hazy in the style), with a creamy off-white head.

Smell: Brightly fruity with sweet tropical notes (I’m getting passion fruit, lemon curd) and a bit of sweaty light allium (young chives, or garlic greens). Herbal hops, light cracker malts, baby (micro) greens, wheat.

Taste: Savory tea-like bitterness that’s less “bitter” than herbal (green tea) but still gives a bitter impression, with a rich layer of malt featuring wheat bread crust and toasted Grape Nuts. Green papaya and slightly bitter-green melon rind. As it warms an herbal spicy character comes out and lasts into the finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with an herbal hop bite, and a lingering herbal bitterish aftertaste.

Overall: It’s pretty good with some interesting hop character, for a “modern” west coast IPA; I don’t know that it grabs me the way Fresh Squeezed did when it first came out, but Squeezy Rider is worth your time.