Fresh Hop Pale Ale - Great Divide Brewing Company

bitterbeerguy

Minnesota

3.68/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This brew poured from a 22 oz bottle looks orange-yellow in the light. The color is very nice. Carbonation was minor at first, but remained at the same level for the whole time it took me to drink the brew. White bubbles.

Smell was a little disappointing. I think my bottle is about 8 weeks old though, so my guess is that the smell was great a couple months back. Smell is of light citrus notes and grapefruit- slight sour odor.

Taste is a little harsh. The predominate flavor is malt, with the slightest lemon aftertaste. I would say the hop level has simply declined with time. With that said, when I warm it for a moment in my mouth, I find that it releases more of the hoppy flavor that I am used to in a pale ale.

Not too bad for a pale ale, but needs to be consumed closer to the date produced. I will likely try again next fall.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 00:54:51 | More by bitterbeerguy

Nolen12

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -2.4%

06-17-2013 14:55:23 | More by Nolen12

jkball01

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -8.5%

06-16-2013 23:00:29 | More by jkball01

djre4orm

Virginia

4/5  rDev -2.4%

06-13-2013 20:35:36 | More by djre4orm

Tiernan

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%

05-29-2013 03:27:11 | More by Tiernan

JWP

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%

05-24-2013 23:22:43 | More by JWP

victor19nyc

New York

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%

05-23-2013 20:49:45 | More by victor19nyc

Absolut

California

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%

05-23-2013 19:35:27 | More by Absolut

csfcmitchell

Texas

4/5  rDev -2.4%

05-23-2013 15:50:34 | More by csfcmitchell

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -20.7%

05-12-2013 17:21:06 | More by mikeburd1128

ToddHolder

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2.4%

05-11-2013 01:03:58 | More by ToddHolder

Beerrenda

California

4.75/5  rDev +15.9%

05-11-2013 00:11:58 | More by Beerrenda

RockAZ

Arizona

4.46/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Just tapped the keg yesterday, May 8th and the paper ring says it was kegged Oct 31 - so it might be a little old to be calling Fresh Hop but I will review it anyways as I liked it very much. Beautiful color, nice carbonation that has some thickness to the foam - coats the glass with lacing patterns. Not a strong scent from it, but what there little there is, is very pleasing. Is 6.1% a session IPA? Well, compared to what I usually drink it is, ...

I like the mouthfeel, it does flow over the tongue and leave some pleasant bitterness followed by dryness in the back corners of the mouth. Only 55 IBU's? Well, I think it is pretty well balanced, recommend you try it on draft. There has always been a "metallic" aftertaste in the bottle versions of this, IMHO.

Later EDIT: discussed this with a couple of friends and they are confirming that the October batches are selling for huge discounts on both keg and bottle - don't let the hype on "Fresh" sway you, the 1/6bbl costs me $40 which is a screaming deal on any IPA of quality. I hear the former $12-13 bombers are going for $3-4, which again, is a heck of a deal on a marvelous beer!

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2013 15:11:06 | More by RockAZ

Mersh

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +9.8%

05-08-2013 02:16:46 | More by Mersh

whatname

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%

05-03-2013 21:47:07 | More by whatname

hopkrid

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +9.8%

04-29-2013 00:15:30 | More by hopkrid

BritCvS

Virginia

4.7/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Fast becoming my favorite. Waited for it to become a little warmer from the fridge. Bomber, poured into a Riedel glass.

A: Outstanding head, rich, thick. Amazing belgian lace. A rich brown, ever so slightly cloudy. Really looks like an excellent British bitter.

S: Grass, freshness, citrus. A little tiny bit of pine. Lovely.

T: Superb taste, warm malts balanced with amazing hops. Perfect.

M: not too much carbonation. Long, long flavor. Great hoppiness. Easy malts.

O: Wonderful. Do try it.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 02:31:49 | More by BritCvS

Oldkentman

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +15.9%

04-22-2013 12:39:20 | More by Oldkentman

jopezu

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%

04-21-2013 22:46:58 | More by jopezu

drgonzo2k2

California

4/5  rDev -2.4%

04-20-2013 14:00:48 | More by drgonzo2k2

TXhomebrewer

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -8.5%

04-16-2013 03:35:35 | More by TXhomebrewer

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.25/5  rDev -20.7%

04-15-2013 06:13:44 | More by Kelp

bulldogg915

Wyoming

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%

04-02-2013 21:30:55 | More by bulldogg915

stoney1031

Texas

4/5  rDev -2.4%

03-30-2013 20:57:58 | More by stoney1031

HiWire

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +9.8%

03-29-2013 02:50:38 | More by HiWire