Deschutes Seasonal 12Pk

Deschutes Seasonal 12Pk is a rotating 12-pack of cans featuring Deschutes Brewery's seasonal craft ales brewed in Bend, Oregon, with ABVs ranging from 4.8% to 6.7%. The brewery behind this lineup earned Brewery of the Year at the 2022 Best of Craft Beer Awards, and their Red Chair NWPA — a frequent inclusion in the rotation — was named World's Best Beer in both 2010 and 2012.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.8%–6.7% (varies by season)  |  Origin: Bend, Oregon, USA  |  Style: Rotating Seasonal Ales  |  Brewery: Deschutes Brewery (est. 1988)

Production & Heritage

Deschutes Brewery was founded in 1988 as a small brewpub in downtown Bend, Oregon, and has grown into one of the most respected independent craft breweries in the country. Beginning in 2021, the brewery started packaging its seasonal favorites in canned 12-pack formats, giving wider access to limited-run recipes that were previously draft-only or bottle-exclusive. Each seasonal release uses distinct grain bills and hop combinations — the winter Jubelale, for example, is brewed with Crystal, Extra Special, Carapils, and Roasted Barley malts alongside Bravo, Cascade, Delta, Tettnang, and East Kent Goldings hops, while lighter warm-weather releases like Neon Daydream lean on haze-forward techniques at a sessionable 4.8% ABV.

Tasting Notes

Because the 12-pack rotates seasonally, the flavor profile shifts throughout the year. Below are general notes spanning the most common inclusions:

Aroma: Expect anything from bright citrus peel and tropical fruit in the spring and summer releases to layered toffee, cocoa, and baking spice in the colder months. The winter Jubelale opens with chicory and dark fruit, while Red Chair leads with resinous pine and grapefruit.

Taste: Summer selections like Twilight Ale (6% ABV, 50 IBUs) deliver crisp malt balance with moderate bitterness, and Neon Daydream brings soft, juicy stone-fruit flavors at a lighter body. Winter and fall entries shift dramatically — Jubelale (6.7% ABV, 65 IBUs) hits the palate with rich toffee, dark cherry, and earthy spice, building to a robust malt peak.

Finish: The lighter seasonal ales tend to finish clean and dry with lingering citrus or floral hop character. Heavier releases like Jubelale close with warming spice, a dusting of cocoa, and enough residual malt sweetness to carry through a long, satisfying finish.

How to Drink Deschutes Seasonal

Most of these ales drink best chilled to 42–48°F, poured into a tulip or pint glass to release the aromatics. The lighter entries like Neon Daydream are ideal straight from the can on a warm afternoon, while richer releases like Jubelale reward a slow pour and a few minutes to warm in the glass.

• Beer Shandy: Mix Twilight Ale with fresh lemonade for a low-effort summer drink that benefits from the ale's balanced hop bitterness.
• Michelada: Neon Daydream's soft citrus character pairs naturally with lime, hot sauce, and Clamato in a savory build.
• Beer Float: Jubelale's toffee and cocoa notes stand up to a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a rich dessert serve.

Best For

• Stocking a home fridge with a curated seasonal rotation without buying six different six-packs
• Hosting a craft-beer tasting to explore one brewery's range across styles
• Gifting a Pacific Northwest beer enthusiast who appreciates Bend's brewing heritage
• Pairing alongside seasonal dinners — lighter ales for summer grilling, darker ales for holiday meals

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Deschutes Seasonal taste like? The flavor profile changes with the season — expect bright, hop-forward citrus and tropical notes in spring and summer releases, shifting to rich toffee, dark fruit, cocoa, and warming spice in fall and winter offerings like Jubelale.

How does Deschutes Seasonal compare to Sierra Nevada seasonal packs? Both are well-established West Coast craft breweries with rotating seasonal lineups, but Deschutes leans toward maltier, more Pacific Northwest-influenced hop profiles, while Sierra Nevada's seasonals tend to spotlight their house yeast and the Pale Ale tradition rooted in Northern California.

Is Deschutes Seasonal good for craft beer beginners? The variety format is an excellent entry point — lighter offerings like Neon Daydream at 4.8% ABV are approachable and sessionable, while bolder entries like Jubelale introduce more complex flavors without being overwhelming.

Where is Deschutes Seasonal made? Deschutes Brewery operates out of Bend, Oregon, in the high desert of the Central Oregon Cascades, where it has brewed since 1988.

What foods pair well with Deschutes Seasonal? Red Chair NWPA complements grilled salmon or fish tacos with its pine-and-citrus hop character. Jubelale pairs with braised short ribs or roasted root vegetables, where its toffee and spice notes mirror caramelized flavors. Neon Daydream's light body works alongside fresh salads, soft cheeses, or shrimp ceviche.

What sizes does Deschutes Seasonal come in? The seasonal rotation is packaged as a 12-pack of cans, a format Deschutes introduced in 2021 for their seasonal favorites.

Is Deschutes Seasonal worth the price? Positioned in the mid-tier craft beer segment, the 12-pack offers strong value by giving access to multiple seasonal-exclusive recipes in a single purchase — beers that have collectively earned the brewery Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals at the 2025 World Beer Cup.

Why Deschutes Seasonal?

Deschutes Brewery holds a singular reputation in the Pacific Northwest, built over more than 35 years of consistent, award-winning production. The seasonal 12-pack distills that legacy into a single purchase — rotating through recipes that range from the internationally recognized Red Chair NWPA to the annually reimagined Jubelale, whose packaging features original art from a different artist each year. The brewery's 2022 Brewery of the Year distinction at the Best of Craft Beer Awards and continued medal wins at the World Beer Cup confirm that this is not a legacy brand resting on its name. For anyone who wants a thoughtfully curated cross-section of one of Oregon's most accomplished breweries, this 12-pack delivers that in a way individual purchases cannot.