Gold Wave
Mother Earth Brew Co.

neat ipa done with roadhouse, vera hops too, and fermented with kolsch yeast apparently, although i didnt really think the ferment was much of a defining factor in this. the hops are distinctive and punchy, terpy to me and intense, uniquely herbal and also fruity, a cool showcase of this newish ingredient, lower alpha. blonde and nearly clear brew, average head from the tap at their downtown location, looks unassuming but smells intense enough to be almost confusing, cut grass and an almost ginger spice, dried lemon zest and fleshy pink grapefruit, wood polish and hash oil, cedar or sandalwood, muddled lemongrass, galangal or something, weird but appealing, this hops is almost challenging in the nose, very robust as well, neat grain base still in play too, earthy, high terroir, a nice foundation for it thats good in flavor as well, short of nutty, maybe honeyed, full spectrum without being sweet or weighty, nice. most of what i smell i taste, to a somewhat lesser degree, this seems largely dry hopped, and i suppose some of the fruitiness could come from the yeast but if thats the case its cohesive enough to still seem hop derived to my senses. cooked citrus, lemon verbena, floral tea, almost metallic minerality, and some almost noble spiciness along with modest bitterness on the swallow. its pungent and its different, im not sure its as refined as it could be, certainly not as well carbonated, but the ingredients are interesting and good and sometimes thats enough. very unique hop profile here, ill be on the lookout for more brewed with vera hops. appreciate all of the cool new beers at mother earth this time! this wont be for everyone, but its cool.