East India Pale Ale

Thanks to Joe Wietlispach for delivering this beer to me following a long day of canning before leaving for NY. I reviewed this on a Wednesday night following a day at the brewery filtering Pale.

Appearance: Golden amber with a strong filtered clarity. Head is basically non-existent, only residing as a very fine thin filmed ring caressing the inner lip of the glass. Carbonation is certainly apparent.

Aroma: Pungent and yeasty smelling followed by a robust bouquet of floral and noble hops. a light biscuit backbone enforces a bit of a fruity essence that continues to parallel the rich hop profile.

Taste: Foretaste is strong and bubbly, leaving only the hops much of the exposure. Strong, floral and even a bit grassy, the alpha acids dominate the palate from start to finish. Ironically, the malt truly isn't acknowledged until the very end, once the bitterness dissipates. One can only then begin to draw forth biscuit and pale two-row. Dry, bitter and floral are probably the best characteristics of this beer. Even a bit of vininess can be drawn out at the end. I'd put it similar to under-ripened plums. Aftertaste is a bit grassy and as the beer warms up, there is a bit of an alcohol flavor as the beer warms.

Mouthfeel: Strong bubbly texture with an overwhelmingly light mouthfeel, that one wouldn't assume would parallel such a strong flavor. Bite to the tip of the tongue
Overall Impression: I'd classify this, yes, as a Pale ale-lager, but could pass for a darker cousin of the pilsner.  Well hopped, while still maintaining a fruity profile of an ale yeast.


86/100