No Friends on a Fresh Hop Day
Sawtooth Brewery

 

Taste at Fresh Hop Festival. Pale golden pour, clear, wispy white head. Dank, earthy aroma, juniper. Taste recalls pine needles, earthy, mild bitterness. Really nice

On-tap in Idaho Falls; served in a pint nonic.

A: Clear, macro-lager-pale appearance with ample carbonation and a small white head.

S: Vegetal; tomato vine; lemongrass; lemon peel; sage; and dank.

T: Crackery malt and cereal grain; hop oils; grapefruit and lemon pith; lemongrass; grassy; vegetal.

MF: Bright fresh-hop character leads to a clean finish.

O: Not my favorite but bright in its own way; fresh, oily, and crisp.

all or mostly citra this year apparently, somewhat subtle as they go, almost drinks more like a pale than an ipa, with incredibly low bitterness and good balance. the hops are obviously wet in here, some greenness to them and a sticky, oily, fresh vibe, but the beer isnt overpowering, and it drinks clean and easy for me, a fine expression of wet citra i reckon, and another good hoppy beer from these guys, who seems to be more impressive each time i have their stuff. the beer is real pale, orange tinted gold, bright in the glass without being fully clear, and holding plenty of white head. it smells easily identifiable as citra hopped, pineapple, lemongrass, white tea, clementine, and even a little honey or hash oil to it. the flavor is less fruity, with some cereal malt rising up to balance, soft juniper and tropical notes, a touch of candied sweetness for a moment, and then a very minimally bitter finish, but enough to at least put this in pale ale range. the whole thing has an almost sticky dank feel to it, even though its dry, bubbly, and light bodied, the fresh hops have a significant impact on the mouthfeel, without leaving green vegetal harshness on the palate. i think a very nicely tuned beer, simple and in some ways subtle for the category, but one im happy to sit and drink all evening. i love wet hop season!

edit: 2022 edition is mosaic, 6% abv, also excellent. there is a cool mineral profile to it, the base beer seems light, the hops are a little catty, but canned pineapple, lemongrass, and cantaloupe are also in play, and there is no denying this as mosaic hops, lots of them, and plenty fresh, even if i am only getting to drink this a few months after wet hop season really happens. would say that its like the citra one reviewed above in that its almost more in the pale ale range, with low bitterness and some malt balance, light copper here too, but this really drinks, a fun six pack to crush in the car with my wife on our way home from sun valley after cutting our christmas tree! leaving scores as they are, while quite different with mosaic, its equally good!