Stratafresh
Matchless Brewing

my can says hazy ipa on the front, and this really isnt, orange tinted and not clear, but not hazy either, more unfiltered looking, and without the grain texture expected in a hazy, lighter in body, without the length, even though this does have some sweetness running through it. i also know its not super fresh, its january after all, months since the harvest, but i love this brewery and i love fresh hop beer, and felt like the risk was worth the potential reward. its obviously past its moment at this point, almost drinking more like a pale ale now, the intensity has obviously faded at least a bit, but also like the intangibles of this dont seem that great, its not well carbonated, the grain has some oddness to it, and the ferment doesnt quite seem as complete as it could be, just not as dialed as their beer usually is in my experience, but obviously time has taken a toll. a little honey thing to the grain, some oxidation, some orange zest and tangerine, some lemongrass too, very light on the bitterness, light coconut, a little disjointed overall, some yeast character, minerality, and less bubbly than i want it. smooth to some extent, a little cardboard thing, i could see this being a lot more compelling when newer, but its not bad now either, but i have to deduct for this not really being a hazy ipa, regardless of freshness, its not quite as advertised, and i like the sabro edition i had last fall quite a bit better overall, but which i also found somewhat understated, even newer, this just might not be their best recipe...

edit: lost a can of this in the beer fridge and thought i would hate it now, being that much older after not being so good the first time around, but alas its changed in a way i kind of dig, very subtle brett thing happening, funk not tart, all past the swallow where the hops probably should climax if they werent so faded, an almost orval thing to it, which is being really kind to a beer thats decidedly messed up. a little cleaner thing from the hops, lots of oxidation, settled sandy sediment in the bottom inch of the can, definitely missed the window on this one, but its better like eight months too old than it was a few months too old, if you can believe it...

There's a slight haze on the amber brew but long-lasting foam in the Tuborg Pilsner glass. Fairly malty with some sweetness to start. Flavors starts with butterscotch and green grapes, then peach and a woody finish. This is really complex and interesting to sip. Leafy and herbal hops in the finish, but so nicely fruity. This does have flaked wheat and flaked oats to cloud up the appearance, but it's SO not NEIPA. Well, the mouthfeel is a little slippery, but it's not acidic or juice-swozzled. This seems like the right way to make a moderately hazy IPA while staying in the bounds of reality. From the 16 oz can purchased at Town & County market. Dated 9/10/2024.

16oz can, slightly caramel-colored and clear with a cap of white foam, hoppy and fragrant nose leading to a floral and grapefruity hop profile that leans more heavily on a honey-malt backbone than I would prefer from a fresh-hop IPA. Still good though.

16oz can (no date, presumably canned within a few days or weeks) into a tulip. Pours a slightly hazy golden color w/ a nice white head, patch lace.

Aroma seems a bit muted with mostly melon coming through. Again, similar to a Hellbent Strata fresh hop beer I had a few days ago, there's an aroma/taste I can't quite put my finger on. Something herbal, or floral ... or something in potpourri maybe. Reminiscent of how freshly cut grass smells.

Taste is really subtle and understated, and not in a bad way. There's a really nice balance here between the pale malt and the fresh Strata hops, each carrying its weight. Malt is dry and biscuity and the hops complement it nicely. More melon: cantaloupe/honeydew (really the only melon I'm familiar with in any meaningful way, other than pumpkin). Also a very subtle minerally quality going on here.

Mouthfeel is likewise balanced, medium bodied. Crisp, gently bitter hoppy bite on the finish.

Overall a well-built, non-showy fresh hop beer. Quite drinkable.

 

2020-09-17
16oz can served in a big snifter. Canned 09/14/2020.

Pours fairly hazy, big fluffy head that collapses into a thick cap. Smell is green, fresh, bright. Hop resin and floral. Tropical fruit to a certain extent without smelling juicy, if that makes any sense.

Taste is not as loud as the aroma, but is fairly similar. Tropical fruit is a more juicy flavor, but also somewhat watered down. Floral leans a little bit toward grassy. Resin is there and comes across more as citrus pith with a very late resinous turn. Mouthfeel is not bad, but just a tad thinner than I want it to be. Overall, nice fresh hop IPA.

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2024-10-18
Canned 9/10/2024, bought it at Metropolitan Market about two weeks ago. It's nice.