Two Beers Brewing Fresh Hop IPA (2017)

Beer Name: Fresh Hop India Pale Ale (2017 Version)
Brewery: Two Beers Brewing Company (Seattle, WA)
ABV: 6.2%
How sold: 12 oz cans; 22 oz bottles; on draft
Where bought: Belmont Station (Portland, OR)
Price: $1.97 for 12 oz. can

Date Purchased: October 24, 2017Date Drank: November 25, 2017
When brewed? Limited-time beer. A Northwest Seasonal. The 2017 version was released August 23, 2017, at their taproom. It has been an annual Fall release since 2009.
IBUs: 70+

Food and Flavor Pairings: Two Beers Brewing suggests BBQ, fresh citrus, and lemongrass.

What's on the Can: "This hyper seasonal IPA is a Two Beers Brewing tradition not to be missed. A brewer's road  trip provides us with some (of) the first hops of the Yakima Valley hop harvest. The result is an intoxicatingly aromatic IPA that is new and exciting every year."

What's on the Website: "Brewed once a year, this award-winning Fresh Hop IPA features first of the season Centennial hops from the Yakima Valley. Bright and juicy with an enticing aroma of fresh hops, this limited edition beer is a Two Beers Brewing tradition available only for a short time." Read more here!

Where distributed: As of January 2018, Two Beers Brewing distributes to the Pacific NW.

REVIEW:

Appearance (5%): Poured clear golden into a pint glass. Frothy white head. 4.25/5

Smell (25%): Mix of tropical stone fruit, grapefruit, passion fruit, and pineapple. 4.5/5

Taste (40%): Hop-forward with good tropical stone fruit, grapefruit, passion fruit, and pineapple. Controlled bitterness. Refreshing with lots of flavor. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel (10%): Medium-bodied, good carbonation. Slight dry tongue. 4.25/5

Overall (20%): An excellent IPA. Hops here included Amarillo, Citra, Cascade, and whole-cone Centennial fresh hops. I had their regular IPA at a 2016 Seahawks game, which I found OK, but the Fresh Hop IPA blows that out of the water. The lovely tropical here, with just the right amount of hoppy and malt characters, give this two thumbs up from me. Knowing that the hop profile can change every year makes this a truly unique beer. Plus, it is a relatively cheap option, compared to other beers I've had. 4.5/5

Final Weighted Rating: 4.463/5