ThirdStreet BrewHouse Spotlight IPA

Third Street BrewHouse Spotlight India Pale Ale. 7.3% ABV. Maris Otter & Cara Pils malts. Cascade, Bravo, Lemon Drop, Sorachi Ace, and an experimental hop.

Clear, golden colored, milky white head, leaving lace.

Aroma: soft, citric, and slightly spicy. Lemon and pineapple. Pleasant.

Taste: The first IPA from ThirdStreet Brewhouse of Cold Spring, MN, which I enjoy now on tap (all of my other samplings were from bottles), is easy on the tongue and mild on the palate. For this hophead, at least. Entry-level imbibers may find their mileage varied. Clean and light-bodied, slightly sweet, easily swilled.

It's a fairly basic IPA, non-threatening, non-challenging, drinkable to be sure, but lacking any special delights. I want to be wowed, I want to be pow-ed, and I'm still leaving the light on for the Cold Spring crew…but this one falls under the file of the merely routine. You can drink it, though, and it is beer.

Here's what they want to tell you about it: "Each spring, we will turn the spotlight on our talented brewers as they team up to create a truly special India Pale Ale. This Spring Seasonal has a balanced malt foundation with a full, strong hop character. It’s loaded with bright citrus hops and a unique experimental hop brewed using a special technique called mash hopping for a clean bitterness and optimum hop flavor that brings out hints of lemon and grapefruit. Collaboration, unique ingredients and a whole lot of creativity and ingenuity will illuminate what we already know – our brewers are the heart of our brewery. Help us shine a light on these extraordinary team members by raising your glass (or bottle)… and share a Spotlight with us!"