Arctic IPA
Whistle Stop Restaurant & Woodman Brewery

Reviewed from session notes.

This is an IPA brewed using only Northern Brewer hops homegrown by the brewer. He swears all of the mintyness running rampant through this brew is only the product of the Northern Brewer hops alone, and the beer is minty enough that some may end up doubting this. Seriously, its very strong in minty/bitter aspects.

A. Cloudy amber in color with a small foam collar for a head, minimal lacing on the glass.

S. Spearmint, wintergreen, ginger, lighter levels of herbal hop aroma and a nondescript malt scent underneath. Some tiny sprinkles of cracked black pepper notes appear as the beer warmed up towards room temperature.

T. Strong peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, a brief hit of sweet malt rounds out the minty blasts and supports the rise of the bittered tea-like and piney finish which rises up as the mint gradually pulls back. I am surprised by the sheer variety of all the different mint aspects presented without actually directly using mint in the brewing process!

M. Medium body and carbonation levels, extended minty finish.

I could almost swear that my breath might smell better after drinking this beer. All done without actual mint...