Juicy IPA - Saint Arnold Review
Texas’ oldest craft brewery knows how to please its people. And when summer time hits and the heat presses down like a griddle from above, we look for something fruity, smooth, and with enough kick to dull the pain of that blistering sunburn.
Enter Saint Arnold’s Juicy IPA.
First brewed in March 2020, Saint Arnold starts this IPA off with 2-row, Vienna, and White wheat malt, then explodes it with hop aromas and flavors from El Dorado, Citra, and Mosaic hops. They then ferment it with English Ale yeast and package it nice and tight for us to drink. It comes in at a tempting 7.1% ABV and 32 IBUs. With the IBUs quite low we’re expecting a lot of dry hopped and fruity aroma from the hops above.
Sounds like a wonderfully modern and fruity ale for summer. Let’s see if it reduces the burn of summer in our first impressions.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--It is golden, topped with a cream-colored head, and slightly hazy.
On the Nose--We were expecting a lot of aroma and we got it. As the name implies, this IPA is juicy with tropical notes out the wazoo. All the hops bring forth their unique aromas with citrus and pineapple standing the tallest and berry from the Mosaic mingling in the fruit bowl aroma. The aroma is intriguing and inviting.
On the Palate--The tropical flavors rain down like a fruit salad from the sky. Once the deluge settles, I get the sweeter characteristics of the El Dorado, like the watermelon and stone fruit as well as the gentle berry from the Mosaic. I was expecting more citrus bitterness, but it is very mild through the finish, giving the fruit flavors prominence. It is medium-bodied with a light malt character that sets a clean foundation for the hop juiciness.
Verdict
Saint Arnold says their Juicy IPA is not cloying, and they are correct. It is not overly sweet, and its freshness preps the drinker for another glug after each swallow. Another thing about this IPA is that it is distinctly a Saint Arnold beer. They make a great consistent product and their fingerprints are on each of their beers. Juicy IPA has a pretty high ABV but remains refreshing. I love the classic pairing of the Citra and Mosaic with the addition of El Dorado to lend that extra push of modern hop juiciness. The aroma is fantastic and the flavor is smooth, clean, and fruity. All the hops shine through individually and don’t just compete with the powerful Citra. If you love fruity beers but are burned out by the haze craze, give this one a try.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew