Recently Hood River’s Double Mountain Brewery announced its two newest releases in beer and cider, and I received a bottle of each: ClusterF#ck IPA, in the brewery’s From the Vault series, and Zora Hard Cider, a new addition to its seasonal ciders for 2025.
ClusterF#ck IPA is a single-hop beer brewed using, you guessed it, Cluster hops (one of the oldest American variety grown). Double Mountain first brewed it 13 years ago.
Press release for ClusterF#ck:
ClusterF#ck IPA is Back and Better than Ever!
Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery is diving into the beer vaults once again to bring back one of their most beloved and iconic beers: ClusterF#ck IPA.
First brewed up in 2012, Clusterf#ck IPA was the first beer in Double’s ‘Single Hop’ series. There have been numerous iterations of this brew since its formulation, and now as part of Double’s annual ‘From the Vault’ series, it is making it’s triumphant return to the 2025 seasonal lineup. The seasonal slot of ‘From the Vault’ series features fan-favorites from years past, giving beer lovers a chance to revisit legendary brews that helped shape the brewery’s story. The beer that fills the yearly slot stays true to it’s origin story, but is revisited with some modern hopping techniques and products.
From the Vault ClusterF#ck IPA is a wild ride of hops, attitude, and nostalgia. Back in the day, Cluster hops were everywhere. These days, they’re a bit harder to track down, but they’re still out there. These clusters are joined by some of their closest hop pals; Citra, Cascade, and Centennial, all packed together for bold flavor and unfiltered fun. Bright citrus and sticky herbal aromas jump out of the glass, with a lively bitterness that brings it all together in a beautifully chaotic harmony. This beer is big, expressive, and unapologetically hoppy.
To celebrate its return, Double Mountain has also reprinted the iconic original ClusterF#ck glow-in-the-dark tees, the same design that was printed and sold back in 2015. Available now in stores and online, this is your chance to grab a piece of Double Mountain history!
Zora Hard Cider is made from two “Black” varieties of apples, Kingston Black and Arkansas Black, both sourced locally from the Hood River Valley. Double Mountain tends to produce dry, complex ciders, and this sounds to fit right in that wheelhouse.
Here’s the press release for Zora:
Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery introduces Zora Hard Cider, the newest addition to its 2025 seasonal cider line. This carefully crafted blend showcases the best of both the old and new worlds of cider-making, featuring two standout apple varieties, Kingston Black and Arkansas Black, grown right here in the Hood River Valley.
The aroma carries bright notes of orange blossom, fresh pear and apple, tangerine zest, grassy undertones, and a touch of light oaky tannins. On the palate, it delivers a refined balance of dry tannins, savory apple, and earthy depth, finishing with crisp tangerine citrus and clover, rounded out by a pleasant tannic astringency.
Zora Hard Cider brings together two iconic apple varieties with rich histories. The bittersharp Kingston Black, originating from Somerset, UK, is known for its tannic complexity and bold cider-making qualities. The sharp Arkansas Black, first cultivated in the Ozarks, contributes smoothness and depth to the blend. Though these apples hail from different continents, both varieties thrive in the Hood River Valley, where they are carefully cultivated at Lorrie’s Grove Orchard, Riparian Orchards, and Double Mountain’s own Swihart Orchards; located in Dukes Valley.
Owner and brewmaster Matt Swihart emphasizes the significance of blending these apples, stating, “Double Mountain has long appreciated the single variety Kingston Black, and this year, the Arkansas Black was introduced to add a touch of smoothness to its brash British counterpart.” Swihart further explains that balancing the robust Kingston Black with the less tannic but still sharp Arkansas Black has resulted in a cider that is both complex and drinkable. He describes Zora as fruity with a light tannic dryness and expresses his confidence in its longevity as part of the Double Mountain lineup.
