Fresh Kicks Hazy IPA - Real Ale Brewing Review
Well, if you’re from Texas and you drink beer, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Real Ale out of Blanco. Started in 1996, they are right up there with Saint Arnold for one of Texas’ oldest craft breweries, and they have only gathered more and more traction and popularity as they’ve grown.
And grown they have, from four year-round beers all the way up to fourteen. Fresh Kicks is one of those fourteen, and the fact that it is a Hazy IPA proves that Real Ale has also changed with the times by brewing this modern beer.
Fresh Kicks comes in at 6.6% ABV and 40 IBUs, and to make it Hazy, Real Ale says their “Grain bill includes oats and milled wheat—malts rich in proteins that lend this beer its distinctive hazy appearance and soft mouthfeel.” Then they added fruity and aromatic Azacca, Mosaic, Amarillo, and Strata hops.
Ooooh! We are expecting a lot out of Fresh Kicks from Real Ale. So, let’s get after it.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Certainly hazy, but not completely opaque. Topped with a dense and persistent cream-colored head.
On the Nose--Passion fruit from the Strata hops and mango from the Azacca. The aroma is bright and fresh, and each of the hops seems to have a voice while blending nicely like a fruit cocktail.
On the Palate--What a rush of flavors! From sweet fruit to citrus, to wild and floral flavors. The passion fruit from the aroma is present and strong; the mango less so, but still hanging around like a sweet note. I get a bit of tangerine citrus, likely from the bright Amarillo, and it really lifts and balances the sweetness of this Hazy IPA. It ends with a firm floral/earthy bitterness, and is mildly dry for being so juicy. Of course with a hazy you have to consider the mouthfeel, and Fresh Kicks is smooth and soft and silky (all the S’s!) while not compromising on a bite from the effervescence, which I think helps keep this one pretty darn light. The berry and floral notes of the Mosaic come out the more I drink it, adding another step to the beer’s complexity.
Verdict:
Fresh Kicks from Real Ale is truly my kind of Hazy IPA. I’m not terribly fond of the extreme sweetness in some Hazy beers if it isn't balanced out somehow. This beer brings 40 IBUs, which for me falls in the right range of bitterness for a hazy to be not overly sweet but balanced. I loved the hop combination, from the sweet and fruity Strata and Azacca, to the bright and earthy Mosaic and Amarillo hops. They blend nicely and complement each other very well, which is why I’m guessing Real Ale selected them.
Overall, this is a fun beer to drink. It has a soft mouthfeel, but it isn’t so heavy you can’t have more than one. It is excellent for the hot days of summer and alongside some fatty, rich foods. If you like a little more balance in your Hazy IPA, give Fresh Kicks a try.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew