Astro Lab Brewing - "Fresh As" IPA

Friend and fellow beer aficionado Keenan C. was kind enough to drop off a pint of this beer to me today. Garnered from his most recent trip to Astro Lab Brewing (a whopping four miles north in Silver Spring, MD) this beer is a 7.10% ABV IPA made with Nelson Sauvin, Mosaic, and Citra hops. It's called "Fresh As", and was canned on Tuesday night. Truly "fresh as..."

Pours thickly into a snifter; leaves a thick white foam reminiscent of soap bubbles. Mild aroma but getting some pineapple juice straightaway. Lovely beer - not dank, no stickiness like you get with other tropical-style IPAs like Oskar Blues' "Can-O-Bliss", for example. The beer is super clean, with some hints of tropical juices like pineapple and guava. The bitterness is minor, actually, and hints at a softer hop bill. I like that it's in "the middle" for an IPA - not West Coast, not East Coast, but something in between. A very pleasant, refreshing, and approachable beer, and perfect for someone who may claim they "don't like IPAs."

I WAS planning a trip to Astro Lab a few months ago, but looks like that's off the table now. When we're allowed to come out of our caves, it's going to be my first stop. Big shout out to Emma, Matt, and the rest of the team at Astro Lab!