Arbeiter Hoop Jump Cold IPA (collaboration with Bad Habit Brewing)

Arbeiter Hoop Jump Cold IPA (collaboration with Bad Habit Brewing).

8.1 % ABV, 80 IBU, Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

And now, for the first time, I will consume a Cold IPA. Not an IPA that has been kept at cold temperatures, (although it has), but, well, I don't know what the hell it is. This is the first time I've heard of the "Cold IPA." Again, whatever that is.

It is called Hoop Jump because the two collaborators once worked together at Town Hall under Mike Hoops. 

Let's drink it. 

Clear, bright golden color, slim white head. 

In the nose: fresh, lively, bursting with citrus and pine. Good ol' IPA aromatics, the way they were meant to be. 

In the mouth: Crisp, hoppy, bitter. More notes of grapefruit, orange, lemon/lime, with a slice of pine, greet the palate harmoniously. Everything an IPA should be. Clean. Vibrant. Refreshing. Delicious. Light bodied, lean malt, just enough to hold it all together. 

I'm looking at the description posted below, trying to discern the qualities of the "Cold IPA". This is not rich in maltiness, at least not how I see that, but it does pack something of a punch. I cannot figure out what makes this different from other IPAs or double IPAs. This is just a good ol' IPA, or double IPA. And you can drink it. And I am. And I am liking it. 

Hoop Jump Cold IPA

ABV 8.1% | 80 IBU

We are excited to bring you Minnesota’s first COLD IPA!

Aaron Herman of Arbeiter and Erik Salmi of Bad Habit worked together at Town Hall Brewery under the tutelage of brewing legend Mike Hoops. After having the Bad Habit crew out for a brewery tour, Erik and Aaron hatched a plan to brew their collab. It just so happened Erik’s brother Drew recently sent him a new beer by Kevin Davey of Wayfinder Beer in Portland, it was a “Cold IPA”. It’s brilliantly clear, clean, has classic hop flavors yet it is rich in maltiness and packs a punch! Sometimes all the hoops line up perfectly, if you are ready, you can jump right through!

Aroma: A supernova of citrus and tropical hop aromas including passionfruit, grapefruit, and lime, along with bright cosmic dankness.

Flavor: Soft but intense tropical and pungent hop flavors of passion fruit, and restrained citrus, all followed by a warming and inviting resinous finish. Due to the high alcohol content and rich maltiness, Hoop Jump drinks “fuller bodied” than it actually is – the first sensation of a very light beer on your palette is quickly overcome with the aforementioned malt and alcohol.