MN Fresh/Wet Hops - 2018

Well we got Surly Wet today. Expecting Schell's tomorrow, and Castle Danger next week or so.

Not from MN but we did get Deschutes Chasin' Freshies. And I'm expecting to see Founders Harvest, and Lagunitas Born Yesterday sometime next week as well.

 

Had Indeed fresh hop earlier on tap. One was enough.
Order thus far: Wet, TH fresh 100, chaisin’ freshies, indeed fresh hop

 

Yesterday Beaver Island released their Mighty Fresh in the taproom. I doubt that they will can it.

 

The Indeed Fresh Hop I had was really sulfury. Not enjoyable.

 

Bummer about Indeed. Their fresh hop used to be so damn good about 4 or 5 years ago

 

Too bad about Indeed. I actually really enjoyed theirs last year. Great value(compared to CD) even though it was a bit lighter, almost more of a fresh hop session ale if I recall correctly.

CD hasn't been the same since the bombers. Still good, but not good for the $ any more.

 

That 1st year of the bomber so good. Hoping this years will be better.

 

I am drinking an Indeed Fresh Hop as I type. It is 4.9% ABV and 35 IBUs so it is a "smaller" pale ale. Aroma is a bit catty with hints of hay and pine. Flavor is nice. The can graphics suggest blueberry, I am not getting that but I am getting pine, grass, and some pepper. I like this one.

 

Here's Beaver Island's Mighty Fresh

3.88/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours a nice darker golden color. Fairly clear. The head is slightly off white, 1 finger, and the retention is amazing. There's also some beautiful lacing on the glass.
The nose is fairly mild. There's some hops to it. but it is mellow.
The taste is quite hoppy. Considering the IBU rating of 100, not surprising. The hops lead toward a pine hop.
Body - the hops just cling to my mouth and throat, and just do not let go. The body is quite full and thick.
This is a delicious fresh hop beer, and glad they made it.

 

I was thinking, eh I'll pass this year, there's a bunch of other stuff I want to buy... but then you had to post this so I just had to pick up a 4-pack

 

Glad surly decided to brew WET again after a 5-6 year hiatus.

 

They brewed it last year. I enjoyed the Mosaic myself. Looking forward to this years but still hasn't hit IL yet it seems.

 

Wet is better than last year but not as good as the Simcoe version and still a shell of the early versions. Can't fault Surly too much though because Broo Doo has been in the same rut. Harvest at least hits the mark every other year.

Indeed's wet hop beer tasted like it was infused with heavy hydrocarbons last year. Not surprised if this year's version hits the same notes.

Making good wet hop beers appears to be hard even for good brewers. Hoping Castle Danger and Born Yesterday can hit the mark again this year.....

 

High hopes for BY which has been my jam this time of year!

 

Lately when I've been thinking about how good previous batches of beer have been (including WET), I've considered it must just be a palate change. We've all had so many great beers now so back 5-10 years ago they probably were just that much better than the competition and everything we've had up until that point.

I'm to the point where I've had every true bucket list beer of mine except for Handjee and nothing is mind-blowing anymore. It's too bad and probably a good thing financially at the same time.

 

You’re either on something or onto something.

Kidding aside - i agree.