Uncommonly Cold IPA
Iron Horse Brewery

12oz can purchased at Huckleberry's, in Spokane, WA, for $2.09. according to the stamp on the bottom of the can, this was canned on July 26th, 2023. My first new beer from this brewery in a long time. Incidentally, the can states 6% ABV, as is shown here, but on untapped it is listed as 6.9%.

Poured into an iron horse Shaker pint glass, this was a slightly chill-hazed, coppery shade of golden amber, with a decent sized, creamy looking, off-white head. Lots of lace.

The nose is reminiscent of an old school West Coast IPA. Bitter and citrusy hop notes, with a bit of a tinge of pine.

The taste isn't as complex as the nose. The expected grape fruity hop flavor is up front, but the traditional pininess is much more restrained. There's a little bit of a mustiness as well.

Medium bodied, with a finish that is somewhat clean for the sticky hop flavor that kicks things off, but it's not nearly as lager-like as many Cold IPAs.

Basically, this is fine for delivering a bit of a West Coast hop character, but isn't terribly distinctive beyond that. I drink it again, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.

Clear amber with lots of coarse foam in the Copper Kettle goblet. Pleasant fruity aroma with pencil shavings in the nose. Malty mouthfeel with plenty of spritz. Flavors of lime peel, melon rind, and bitter herbs. Resiny aftertaste with distinct bitterness. Somehow I was mesmerized by "india Pale Lager" on the label instead of "Cold IPA." It still tastes like an IPA with an overdose of hops. From the 12 oz can purchased at Haggen Market. Dated 02/08/23.

16oz can from Hops & Bottles. Clear golden pour, fast disappearing head. Malty, bready aroma, light hop touch. Taste balances out the malts hops, mild sweet, fruity notes and a zippy bitterness. Mild sticky finish.

everyone is making a cold ipa these days, i am all about the style. cool they got with whistle punk for this one, i like those guys a lot! this isnt the best example of the style ive encountered though. its nice and clear but a little deeper in color, brassy and more malty than the best and most drinkable of these, short white head from the tap, but pretty well refined looking. it smells a tad nutty and richer than i look for in the style, which i want to be dry and crisp most of the time, pop like a lager, and have the grain weight out of the mix, so the hops can stand alone. here the hops are obvious, northwestern, and well dosed, but the beer is almost over balanced, kind of smells more like an american pale ale. the flavor is similar, could be mosaic hops leading the way, some light pineapple and spruce to this, a hint of pink grapefruit too, and plenty fresh, but there is just a bit more body and malt sweetness than there needs to be, and it takes away from the lightness and quickness the style requires for me. some grassiness to the hops, light herbal spiciness too, but citrus all the way, its somewhat subtle, but i like the hop profile this has. the ferment is clean enough, but this lacks that lager-esque snap, and so its less refreshing than it might otherwise be, and doesnt quite hit the style marks on texture. that said, its a neat collaboration, a pretty approachable beer, and nice with asian food. with so many of these out there now, there is bound to be some real style variance...

16oz can pours crystal-clear into a pub nonic; pale straw with a bright, foamy white head. Very smooth aromas and body, nothing is aggressive or overpowering. Malty and grassy, somewhat clean but also a bit funky, not sure if that is the lager yeast and the fermentation methods.