One of the newest beers added to the Deschutes Brewery year-round lineup this year is Symphonic Chronic Double Dank IPA, a resinous and fruity ale that “combines West Coast kettle hopping with East Coast dry hopping” in a big beer with 9% alcohol by volume. While not part of the “Fresh Family” that make up most of the packaged IPAs, it stands out because it’s only available in 19.2-ounce cans.

In addition to its strength, Symphonic Chronic has 60 IBUs as is brewed with Citra, Chinook, CTZ, Mosaic, Simcoe, and Idaho 7 hops. The website’s description says:

A melodious mashup mixing bright tropical fruit aromas and notes of resinous pine. Like a well conducted symphony, this is a perfectly harmonious Double IPA featuring the dankness of a West Coast IPA along with the juicy characteristics of a Hazy.

The brewery sent me several cans to review. My notes:

Appearance: Bronzed gold color, relatively clear with a soft translucency, with an off-white head that’s lacy, a bit ephemeral.

Smell: Sweetly fruity with tropical notes bolstered by estery alcohol and drenched in hops for a hop candy note; candied grapefruit peel, dank juiciness, dried mango, and a hint of bong smoke. Big double IPA character.

Taste: Classic double IPA character of sweetly fruity malts saturated with hops, while also presenting a “modern” juicy take, but amped up. Dried fruits and tobacco-like spiciness, piney resin, bruleed/charred grapefruit, sweetly toasty malt/bready/sweet roll character, floral alcohol. Dank, being resinous and a touch sweaty.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full-bodied with a long candied hop aftertaste.

Overall: It’s a good, super solid DIPA and really drinkable for being 9%.