Thanks to Mr. Joshua Schipp (and Thomas Behne for recommending to me a while back) for surprising me by leaving nearly a sixpack's worth of Left Hand beer's in the fridge over the weekend. I had assumed I had them all (but I still have not completely had a chance to re-taste everything that was in my original journal). Anyway I fortunately realized as I was halfway through the last bottle that this one hasn't been posted. Purchased (I'm assuming) from the Rock Island Hy-vee in the Assorted Craft pack.
Appearance: Oranged amber with a spotted lacing on the sides of the glass. Not much by way of head. It looks still and un-eventful, while maintaining a a very nice clarity. Doesn't look to have a lot of carbonation, but the pop of the cap said otherwise.
Aroma: A bit yeasty, or for other words, aromatics derived from yeast byproducts. Has a really beery smell to it, something drawn from when I was younger and smelling miller-lite or something of that caliber. Must be them hops! Some herbalness, but relatively the aroma doesn't make a wordy impression.
Taste: From the taste, I would of said golden ale, but ESB works. Lightly carameled malt foundation with a touch of sappy hop residue. More dominantly I can pull herbal and deciduous-like woodsy-ness from the finish of this beer. Not a typical pale ale with the balance between malt and hops citrus. This carries with is a more neutral bitterness while still remaining deceptively sweet from the clash of malt and hops. Perhaps some orange pith is present, but I'd take other suggestions. The finish and aftertaste resonate a grassy flavor and coat the mouth.
Mouthfeel: The carbonation is certainly there. Bubbly, soothing and apparent. Light in body and a zippy textured. Drying in the finish.
Overall Impression: I still think Golden Ale... The beer holds back on the malt while presenting the hops full throttle, floral and neutrally bitter. Very drinkable and refreshing. I'd say worthy to the person looking for something bitter but also has a knack for the unusual.
85/100
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