Ice Lake Fresh Hop IPA
Terminal Gravity Brewing Company

obviously fresh hop season is well in the rearview now, and this probably shouldnt still be around on tap anywhere, but i found it, and i ordered it, and i liked it! crazy! unfresh fresh hop beer still delivering, who would have thought? all sabro in this, cold ipa as a base style too, i think a nice call for fresh hops, surprised we dont see that more, i was very intrigued. lots to like about the beer, not showing falloff to me really at all, but i never knew it fresh either, still popping to my palate. blonde to golden beer, almost pils-esque, light chill haze, still very light and bright, average white head, fine carbonation. aroma of lemongrass, white peach, tangerine, and maybe coconut, sabro for sure, herbal as it is fruit though too, still fresh and high oil to me, a little bit of dankness but bitterness seems nil, nice! i think the smell is the best part but the taste does come close, the hops really stand out on such a light malt base, maybe nothing more than pils type here, and its crisp and cleanly fermented, lager-like in snap and drinkability even without a lot of finishing bitterness. lemon curd, lemon candy without sugar, some lushness, clementine, still fresh indeed. light body, high hop intensity but no burn or linger, this is fast on the swallow, effortless, the cold part really does a lot for this, love the refreshment value in a beer this hoppy, uncommon, and frankly this is probably the most contemporary and compelling beer ive ever had from these guys, even at this stage of its life. loved it!

Look: Slightly cloudy dull yellow on the pour with a frothy white head that settles to a pillow, leaving good lacing behind

Aroma: Limes, coconut, cedar wood, lemon zest, some grapefruit and kumquats

Taste: Kicks off with a light coconut note that settles in and followed by a lot of sharp citrus fruits. Limes, lemons, grapefruit, and kumquats all in play, along with a cedar-like wood note. Closes with citrus and coconut

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

Overall: I dig it. A unique one indeed and one I wouldn’t have scored if it wasn’t for the Sabro as the fresh hop as that cultivar is very odd and unique and I can’t help trying beers that use it. The citrus presence is there as is the cedar and coconut that make Sabro an odd duck. Fresh hop character is fading but still there and glad I was able to try it