Burning River Pale Ale

I was surprised I had never reviewed this, especially coming back from the brewery. Thanks to Jaron Gaier and Dean Burrier who ironically both told me they had a bottle for me to review the very same week!Tasted following a day filled with brewing an imperial pumpkin ale and running 21 miles! Reviewed prior to a homemade Indian dinner.

Appearance: Pristine Amber color with a balanced white filmed with an accumulation around the edges. Very clear especially for the color. Carbonation present in a consistent manner. White wet lacing.
Aroma: Citrus spicing with an undertone of caramel. Yeast attenuation makes for a mild vininess. Orange and earthy undertones predominate throughout.. Toasted malt present alongside a mild grapefruit scent.
Taste: Layers of different flavors. Malt backbone is emphasized on the caramel and notes as well as biscuit malt. Grape skins come to mind with an undertone of stale hops. There also remains a fruitiness of peaches and apricots. Definitely a rich flavor revolving around orange with a piney note. Characteristically simple. As the beer warms, however, the hops merge more into the beginning of the beer and become more reminiscent of under ripe grapefruit.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a mild carbonation characterized by fine bubbles. A bit of stickiness on the edges. Creamy texture overall, while it finishes dry from the bittering alpha acids.
Overall Impression: Darker colored with a big hop profile that some should probably take note of. Nevertheless, the different layers of this beer are incredibly crafted to give each individual a different experience. The stale hops noted above were not a deterrent, but rather a refreshing surprise from the ordinary


89/100