Great Divide's Fresh Hop Pale Ale

We only see fresh hop or wet hop beers twice a year during the fall in the northern and southern hemisphere harvests.  To be a wet hopped beer the whole hop cones are used instead of the processed pellets in making the beer.  Unfortunately, hops are highly perishable.  In order to successfully make a wet hop beer the hops are picked, overnighted and used within hours.  This requires a bit of timing on behalf of the brewery in order to make sure they have a tank ready to go.

Great Divide's Fresh Hop gives off a grassy, citrus pine aroma.  Not as pungent as I expected, but not lacking.  The beer is amber in color with a thick white head that resulted in lacing as time went on.  There were hops up front and at the finish, with a resiny feel.  The malt balanced the beer out nicely.  Fresh Hop is very light on the tongue to the point the beer was almost gulp-able.  Bud Light could learn about "drinkability" from this beer.  I do regret only buying one, but hey, there is always next year.

St. Lupulin by Odell Brewing Co.

St. Lupulin is an Extra or American Pale Ale by Odell Brewing Co. in Fort Collins, Colorado.  St. Lupulin is not actually a saint, but rather a character the brewery made up.  Lupulin is in fact real.  This compound found in hops contains aromatic oils creating much of the aroma and a resiny consistency containing acids for bittering.

St. Lupulin comes in at a slightly hefty 6.5% ABV.  When poured into your pint glass it gives off aromas of hops, citrus, orange and a slight bready malt note.  There is a delightful amber hue with a moderate light colored head. Medium carbonation gives way to a smooth body with hop and floral flavors.

I tried this out in Colorado, and bought a jacket.  It takes a bit to get me to buy clothes from a brewery, but St. Lupulin had what it takes.