Mirrored Realities Fresh Hop IPA (2025)
Fort George Brewery + Public House

these guys are positively killing the fresh hop stuff this year, and this one is as excellent as anticipated, although i think, if i can allow myself to be critical of a beer this good, that the fresh hops are lost a bit to the hop products, like as wonderfully fresh as this is, the nose right away presents like a hop products beer, the cryo and the oil and the dynaboost or whatever the latest thing is they are using in here along with the fresh cones, and as much as this also still is obviously a fresh hop beer, i think the comet varietal itself might not be the start here, with nelson really popping, but also i feel like despite its prevalence, i am not as familiar with comet in this context as i guess id like to be, so maybe thats an unfair observation, but like, this hits oily and concentrated and dosed, a little less fresh from the field, despite its freshness, if that makes sense, i dont know. lightly unfiltered looking from the tap but not hazy, average white head on it with okay retention and plenty of bubbles parading slowly upwards to the surface of the pint glass it comes in. aroma is punchy and fruity, mango and papaya, orange and a little bit of malt richness with it, canned or even cooked pineapple, hash oil, candied and intense, seems low bitterness, the fresh hops are apparent too, smells great overall. the flavor starts early with the pungent hops, candied orange, zested tangerine, green grapes, honey, and then moves into a more tropical juicy mango thing, with very low bitterness overall and some pleasant malt balance and body, smooth and long this one, with a fruity hop exhale. very distinctive mix of hop smells and flavors in this, beyond comet obviously, really original and good, not sure anyone is as good as these guys right now, every single beer from them is the bomb! certainly one of the high achievers of fresh hop season again this year...

Look: Crystal clear light yellow in the glass with a silky head that pillows up, slowly settling and revealing great lacing left behind

Aroma: Limes, herbal notes, skunky Cannabis, navel orange, blueberries, boysenberries, fresh hop cones, freshly cut ganja flower, and tangerine

Taste: Jumps out with a hit of lime, orange, and tangerine that shine for a quick moment before herbal notes, Cannabis, and fresh hop cones push it aside and assert themselves. Layers of diesel, skunk, dank, and citrusy week ensue as berries weave in and out throughout before it closes with a nice bite

Mouthfeel: Full, slick, clean, medium-high carbonation, and slick and dry on the finish

Overall: This is a good one here. I love the regular version of this so jumped at the fresh hop take on it and glad I did as it’s tasty. The fresh Comet really comes through with its dank and herbal notes but with enough citrus and berry to not be a full-on ‘Dank’ IPA. Happy to have tried it and recommended for all Comet hop fans

Mirrored realities FH from a can. I cannot make out the date stamp. I did open and enjoy this a day after purchasing, for whatever that’s worth

Pours wonderfully, WCIPA all the way. The nose has a fresh hop character that is present at first pour. The sip follows, with a delicate hop note underscored by the freshie goodness. Low bitterness with a lingering finish. I like it.

Poured from a 16 ounce can dated 9-29-25 into a tulip glass at 51 degrees.

Look- Pale gold, very slightly hazy, white frothy head, slightly above average head retention and lacing.

Smell- Dank, pine resin, grapefruit, between weak and medium strength of scent.

Taste- Pine resin, grapefruit, herbaceous, pith, between medium and high strength of flavor.

Feel- Between thin and medium body, average carbonation, highly bitter, mildly dry finish, moderately creamy, very slight prickliness, mildly mouth warming.

Overall- Appearance was a very nice pale gold and almost clear with slightly above average head retention and lacing. The nose was a very pleasant mix of resinous pine and citrus, but underpowered. The flavor was a classic WCIPA mix of pine resin and grapefruit with good intensity. The mouthfeel was great all around with the exception of fresh hop character, which was understated. Overall this beer provided an enjoyable drinking experience with classic WCIPA attributes.

2025-10-16
16oz can served in a curvy Monhegan pint glass.

Pours clear dark yellow with very little head, little carbonation. Smell is piney, lemony, green, fresh. Some floral sweetness, moderate fresh hop exhibition. Maybe more than moderate.

Taste is diving into the resin and pine bitterness, some citrus character but dominated by the pith and rind aspect of it. Lemon is noticeable, but again, dominated by the bitter resin aspects. Grain is noticeable if you're looking for it.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, a little stickiness. Solid beer.