There are many existing entries in the dictionary defining the word fresh.  Most point to the idea of something that is new, or at least newly created or discovered.

In slang it can indicate something cool, or if I may, hip or jive.  Realistically, I can’t possibly provide the most modern slang iteration of the concept as I have past the age requirement necessary to be provided the appropriate keywords.   Fortunately, this age implied restriction does not impede me from writing about it.

Once, there was this prince that could have provided insight into the true meaning of this word.  Since, It appears that his royal freshness has stagnated.

And then, a few strange Gorillaz wrote some songs that felt “fresh,” but it appears they vacated to their own private plastic beach.

And a few weirdos tried to spin the word as a negative.  “You aren’t getting fresh with me, are you?”  The implication being that of disrespect or insubordination.  (Surely this iteration is of negligible impact)

But of the most crucial interpretation, surely regards IPA’s.

Hop Heads? Wouldn’t you concur?

With so many styles of beer the freshness isn’t as much of a concern.  Most brews even benefit from considerate aging to allow the complexities to show.  But with an ipa, the hop profile is of the greatest concern, and with age, that desired quality dissipates and a maltiness overpowers the brew.  So in order to quaff at maximum hopiness, maximum bitterness, and maximum crispness, ipa lovers want…..

Fresh.

Therefore I give you these…..

Knee Deep Brewing Co. Hop Shortage – In my first order from CraftShack I selected several ipas as a gauge to decide how fresh these beers would be, and to also pick from many I hadn’t an opportunity to try.  This company made request of me on Twitter and after considerable debate on ordering,  I placed, and happily received my order.  This beer appealed via the triple status and the fact that I’d never tried it before.  It pours a dark wheat color with substantial lacing on the glass.  Ample head from the pour provides a fluffy white head and nostril-filling malt/honey/hop scent injection.  The taste rolls in as a smooth, pungent, slightly boozy blend of rich caramel and crystal malts with an abundance of hop blast crashing atop the malty undercurrents. Whew. Share a bottle. 8/10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2wa8isjMXg

*mic drop*

Keep it fresh,

J