Cold IPA - Saint Arnold Review

Texas’ oldest craft brewery has remained the oldest due to its indefatigable desire to keep up with the times. And in July 2025, they proved that again with the release of their own Cold IPA filled with 2-row, flaked barley, and acidulated malt, and topped off with what we’re hoping are loads of Krush and Strata hops.

But what is a Cold IPA? you may be asking. Simply put, it’s crafted by using the hopping techniques of an IPA and the fermentation technique used for lager yeast. It’s designed to create a clean, hoppy, and dry beer with the best qualities of both an IPA and a lager. At first I was a skeptic of the style, but have since changed course … when they’re good, which we’re hoping this one is.

Let’s give this 6.3% ABV and 31 IBU Cold IPA a go!

First Impressions:

• On the Eyes--Pale gold, clear, and topped with a cream-colored head. Looks like a lager, now let’s check the IPA side.

• On the Nose--Fruity and clean with hints of mango and grapefruit. IPA aroma checked!

• On the Palate--Fresh, fruity, and clean. The tropical flavors are accompanied by a low bitterness and medium body. There’s a lot of hop complexity coming from these newer hop varieties and it's highlighted by the clean lager character and subdued malt bill. As far as hop flavor, melon is quite prominent with a citrus character providing what little bitterness there is. Cold IPA finishes dry (as a cold fermented IPA should) with a mild woody and menthol character that only adds to the freshness and chuggability of this beer.

Food Pairings: Anything and everything with a beer carrying the crisp characteristics of a lager and the hop complexity of a very approachable IPA.

Final Thoughts:

I’m always skeptical of new styles, but some things just make sense. Mixing modern hops and hopping with a technique guaranteed to create crisp, clean beers is one style that just makes sense. I really love a good lager, and I really love a good IPA, and this beer fits the bill of both. It’s aromatic, not bitter, fruity, light, clean, and dry—all the best characteristics of a Cold IPA.

If I had one caution, it would be that the beer is a little sweet for some IPA lovers looking for a bitter bomb. It only has 31 IBU, and it does have slightly bitter citrus character, but overall it is fruity, light, and well-balanced. So much so you might not miss the bitter kick.

Great for summer, this beer also fits the bill as a weekly drinker. Thank goodness Saint Arnold brews it year round. That makes Mrs. Brew very happy.

Cheers!

Mr. Brew

Check out some icons from Saint Arnold’s lineup: Art Car IPA and Elissa IPA!