Real Ale Brewing Company - Fresh Kicks

Originally a draft-only release, this hazy IPA proved so popular that Real Ale upgraded it to a year-round packaged offering, and we can see why. This brew is dry-hopped extensively, with multiple hop varieties added at multiple times during fermentation, making for quite the juicy brew. The beer presents a light gold color with a thick, hazy body and a billowy white head that leaves some creamy lace on the glass. On the nose, look for an aromatic burst of tropical fruit including ripe mango, pineapple, and papaya, layered with sweet citrus notes of orange creamsicle and tangerine, all underscored by a gentle herbal note and a hint of fresh melon. On the palate, the use of oats and malted wheat helps Fresh Kicks feel plush and pillowy, as we expect for a hazy IPA, with relatively low bitterness and a rounded mouthfeel that carries juicy hop flavors front and center. Soft stone fruit and citrus dominate the taste for us, complemented by a whisper of white grape and a slightly grassy hop bite that adds dimension without disrupting the beer’s smooth profile. The malt base is understated and slightly sweet, lending a touch of breadiness and body while keeping the focus firmly on the hops. With moderate carbonation and a dry yet juicy finish, Fresh Kicks is both flavorful and easy-drinking. For food pairings, hazy IPAs’ tropical and citrusy hop notes shine alongside spicy and aromatic foods like Korean fried chicken, coconut curry, or spicy tuna rolls. Falafel with tzatziki is also an intriguing option, or you could go to the sweeter side with a mango panna cotta. Cheers!

Real Ale Brewing Company was founded in 1996 by Phillip and Diane Conner in the basement of an antiques store in downtown Blanco – a small town in Texas’s Hill Country to the north of San Antonio and west of Austin. Their initial beers consisted of a brown ale and a pale rye ale, both of which were hand-bottled in 22-oz bombers. The next year, Brad Farbstein, who had been homebrewing for years at that point, discovered the brewery and began trekking out from Austin on the weekends to help with the operation. In 1998, Phillip decided to leave the business, so Brad and his wife Gabriel Gregerman threw their savings into buying the fledgling operation, fulfilling the dream of owning a brewery. It was a struggle at first, and Brad didn’t take a paycheck for the first five years, but slowly the business began to pick up steam.

After 11 years of brewing in their cramped basement brewery and reaching 5500 barrels of annual production – a crazy amount for such a space, and a big jump from the 300 produced in 1998 – the team constructed a new brewery just outside the city limits, which they moved into in 2007. Over the years, production has increased dramatically and they’ve expanded with a tap room and beer garden to host thirsty locals and visitors alike. Having been at the forefront of the brewing revolution in Texas, they’ve grown to become one of the state’s craft beer icons. Real Ale won its first gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 2010, the first of many GABF medals to come. They’ve collaborated with such notable breweries as Three Floyds and Surly, and expanded into whiskey and gin distilling with the launch of Real Spirits in 2017.

The name “Real Ale” is a British term for traditionally made cask- and bottle-conditioned ales that are naturally carbonated in the vessel from which they are served, and to this day the brewery embraces this ethos by producing only unfiltered and unpasteurized beers, with no preservatives. Additionally, they distribute solely in the state of Texas with no plans to expand. According to Brad, “We focus on making the best beer and not the most beer.” To learn more about the brewery, their Tap Room, tours, and upcoming events, visit them at realalebrewing.com.