Learn about how we rate & review beers with our BJCP blind panel here
“Perhaps you’ve heard of a beer movement that tributes favorite hipster neighborhoods across the globe. If you feel excluded because you’re hip but your city isn’t, this hip-without-borders pale ale is an homage to you, the global hipster.”
Malt is definitely the most interesting thing about this beer, which isn't always the best thing said about a pale ale. Hops character is muted and subtle but some notes of grapefruit creep through. Toffee and butter character lead to a finish that’s a little sweet for a pale
Very light grain bill with minty, woody, fruity, spicy hops with hints of cinnamon. Some fusel alcohol amplifies the thin body. Bitterness is appropriate, but the thin body doesn’t work well with the bitter finish.
The sweetness of this beer hits first with some biscuit notes, then the hops march in and provide complexity. Orange and grapefruit are present with hops that evoke mint, flowers, and citrus. Light malt bread flavor and a low caramel in the finish as it warms; not as assertive on hops character as desired for the style, but still very pleasant.
“This hops-forward APA highlights the Amarillo hops’ sweet, ripe citrus aroma and flavor reminiscent of Valencia oranges and tangerine. It has a medium body with a malt character ranging from light crust to mild graham cracker.”
“Our classic pale ale, with Michigan-grown, Cascade hops. Bright hoppiness and pleasant aromatics are framed with balancing sweetness of pale malts.”
Banana candy (although not very sweet). Slight cidery/grape note. Some butterscotch malt sweetness. Mild grapefruit hops. Assertive bitterness is out of balance—hops are bitter but not flavorful.
Big malty caramel burnt sugar up front, balanced with a blunt bitter and nice grassy hops flavor. Very British in character and effect. Rich melanoidin finish—overly complex for the style but tasty. Hops bitterness has a hard time contending with the malt. Malt is bready with caramel and strong crystal notes. Lightly bitter finish.
A bit more subdued on hops flavor than most APAs, with the hops flavors competing a bit with rye and maybe even caramel malt notes. This pale doesn't make the hops the star of the show; it’s more a bit player behind an intriguing maltiness with bread crust, caramel, and biscuit notes. Earthy and spiced notes of rye add complexity.
Nice lightly toasted malt character paired with grassy, citrus hops notes and lingering light fruit on the finish. Well-balanced on the finish, which leaves a lingering soft bitterness with fruity notes from the malt and hops. Moderate carbonation.
Light bodied, lightly flavored, and the flavor fades quickly. Medium bitterness up front, grassy with light pine and earthy flavors. Caramel malt is out of balance. Some lightly toasted bread notes in the background.
Moderate bitterness, with a chalky, orange-flavored vitamins character most likely derived from the malt, with some pineapple in the background. Low tropical and peach fruit flavors, along with some sweetness from the malt. The hops taste a bit muddy, muted, and grassy and fading to vegetal. There’s a bit of a catty hops note with an herbal sting.
Honey guava note drives the nose, with a clever tension between sweet and funk. The sip gets a touch muddled, with sweeter notes running up against less-defined bitter and funky notes.
Sweet and lemony with hints of orange and tropical fruit. A very unique grape-juice-like flavor with some intense gooseberry and tart cherry notes. The malt is just enough to showcase the hops character. Similar mineral profile in the aroma. A mix of citrusy hops and a touch of malt sweetness and perhaps even a perception of sweetness from the hops (maybe tropical fruit) work to balance this one out, both in flavor and finish.
Clean malt barely balanced with crisp hops bitterness. Clean fermentation produces light fruit esters and malt is bready and fairly complex for style. Hops are slightly piney and fruity (red apple again). Finishes fresh and inviting—pleasantly mild hops flavor and a clean bitter finish that leans a bit toward the British style.
Sweet clean hops citrus character with juicy grapefruit and orange complexities, though everything is a bit restrained. Sweet, nutty, and slightly fruity hops flavor balanced with pine and a higher bitterness that helps to mitigate the sweetness.
Moderately hoppy with a piney and leafy character—balance tilts hoppy over malty but both are a bit one-dimensional. Clean and light malt flavors eschew caramel or darker malt to leave it bright. Finishes pretty dry—sharp and bitter, ready for another sip. Bitterness lingers with a touch of smoky phenol.
The orange character is pronounced up front but quickly fades behind a pithy bitterness and a touch of malt sweetness and becomes a fruity citrus with the swallow. Simple and estery with hints of cherry and banana and just a touch of caramel malt sweetness. Woody, earthy, and herbal hops lend a note of bitterness that’s not overwhelming. Light on carbonation and body, and a delicate flavor profile overall.
White table grape with a touch of grape pixie stick in the nose. The sip is pretty dry, leading with a rounded grapefruit bitterness that doesn’t fall back on malt sweetness. A bit sharp and unyielding straight through into the finish.
Orange-Creamsicle nose with soft vanilla rounding the edges. In the sip, a distinct bitterness—pithy and fruit-driven, but significant—gives it firm structure while remaining smooth and integrated. Finishes light and breezy, despite strong aromas and flavors.
The hops come through with nice earthy and spiced character and moderate bitterness. Smooth round malt flavors, caramel and dark crystal notes with a nice clean finish for an English pale. Mid-level hops bitterness balances well with the malt body. There is a noticeable amount of herbal and floral hops flavor, but they aren't allowed to shine behind the overly British yeast character.
Malt sweetness balances well with the hops. The hops come through more in the end with some bright citrus notes and a little grass-like character as well. Finishes slightly bitter but still clean. Hops flavor are much brighter than the aroma suggested—more juicy, tropical fruit flavors than in the aroma.
Smooth and creamy with a muddled juicy citrus and berry presence. Chewy mouthfeel throughout with a slightly sweet finish. Very low bitterness.
Chewy and hazy with rich, bright tropical-fruit notes. Starts out a little on the sweet side. Bitterness is well moderated for the style. A touch of herbal hops burn gives you an idea of just how much green stuff they packed in the dry hops. Finish has a nice puckering tart quality that accentuates the fruit notes well.
Classic nose: orange, forest, toasted bread, light caramel. The sip follows the classic theme with an almost spongy orange sweetness and forest-hop bitterness. Bitterness is a touch rough and ragged but finishes convincingly.
Dank nose with a layer of funky tropical fruit and a white-flower element—engaging and inviting without being obvious. The sip offers a touch of smooth, earthy bitterness and a tinge of sweetness, with a polished sheen that pulls everything together.
Rich bready sweetness that pairs well with citrus and pine hops character. Finish is balanced, not particularly bitter, so both the malt and hops character linger. Hints of caramel and darker coffee malt give a somewhat chewy impression. Not a lot of hops complexity.
Simple malt bill is balanced very well with the bitterness level. Hops on taste buds match those on aroma. The creamy body has a touch of slickness and despite the voluminous, persistent head retention, the carbonation on the tongue is somewhat low.
Lots of hops going on, with a slight tartness up front and a sturdy body behind it. The sharp, hoppy, earthy flavors have a touch of pine, resin, and dankness with moderate-to-high bitterness. Notes of tangerine, pineapple, and mandarin show through and are not smooth and straight fruit, but more like a more aggressive West Coast IPA. The bitterness and hoppy resin linger on the tongue after the taste.
On the nose, a defined and edgy lemon-tropical blend has a crisp linen through line. Curious and unexpected. On the sip, juicy lemon and tangerine with light peach and apricot, just enough bitterness to keep that edge, and a pleasing taut finish.
Punchy grapefruit nose with just a touch of malt sweetness in the background. The sip continues that straightforward grapefruit, with a bit of pithy bitterness, a bit of fruit sweetness, and a simple drinkability.
Grapefruit-pineapple nose, tightly defined, with zero excess. The sip brings light body with pointed pithy bitterness, lightest bread, and grapefruit notes around the edges. Bitterness is a touch intense. Definitely for West Coast fans.
The hops character in this beer is earthy, woody, a bit spicy, and floral, with mild bitterness—more than the nose would suggest. Notes of caramel and toffee come through well with a light body. Some tart notes in mid-palate. Hops flavors clash with the fruity yeast esters, though as it warms these work better together. Bitterness is a little low for the style, allowing the malt to linger a little too long.
Big hops flavor up front. Hops bitterness and malt sweetness are well-balanced, and stone fruit abounds. Malty hit with just a touch of tart. Bitterness is appropriate and well balanced. Low astringency, finish is quick and inviting. Moderate hops flavor and a big ester punch.
A moderate hops bitterness, balanced by a decent malt backbone and slight mineral character. Light on the body and the juicy orange and bitter grapefruit hops character carries through to a dry and crisp finish. Balanced and just slightly bitter but doesn't linger long in the finish.
Earthy, grassy hops flavor with a touch of spicy. Bitterness is here but not pronounced. Finish is as much ester as it is hops. Reasonable malt backing provides medium sweetness against the prominent fruity hops profile. Finishes dry with a nice bitterness. Peach and orange hops flavor is more subdued than the aroma promises. Body is full, but high carbonation lightens body. Sweet malt flavors linger.
It’s a pale ale, all right. Earthy, slightly woody hops flavor with an herbal edge that we surmise is the agave, but it’s not easy to identify. It does linger into the finish.”
Riotous nose of lemon-lime, cut grass, onion, cannabis, orange, and stone fruit—loud and brash. The sip is more restrained, with herbal bitterness pitted against stone fruit and light malt. Maintains constant energy and liveliness.
Orange marmalade and earthy cannabis compete in the nose, with classic C-hop notes for throwback appeal. The sip tilts heavily toward an ashy-earthy bitterness, distracting a bit from more pleasing notes. Austere and unyielding.
Bready caramel-orange nose with a touch of forest spice. The sip is classic pale—orange and pine, light caramel notes, and the warming comfort of nostalgia. Well executed.
This beer definitely leans more toward the malt than the hops. Interesting malt notes— bread crust, graham cracker, and some biscuit. A little thin for style. Hops flavors of citrus and orange are almost absent with just enough bitterness to provide some balance. Tart notes in the mid-palate, plus an interesting mineral note that provides a bit of needed complexity. Crisp and carbonic with a dry finish.
Nice up-front hops, balanced wonderfully with a soft malt character. Citrus rind dominates hops flavors with some floral notes. A slight juiciness may be related to the slight caramel note from the malt. Restrained yeast notes provide a subtle fruitiness that works well. Light and carbonic—very drinkable. Definitely hops forward but not out of balance, with a slight lingering bitterness.
Grassy dank character carries through in the flavor. Unique hops flavors, a bit like pine and passion fruit, give way to a crisp, dry finish. Malt backbone helps support without interfering. Similar spicy and floral hops notes in flavor as indicated by the aroma.
Super rich malt character with just enough bitterness to balance. Sweet and sunny with enough hops to keep the rich malt from being cloying. Nicely balanced APA with strong fruity esters. Low-in-the-mix hops offer some floral and bitter notes despite being buried under raw grainy malt. Tastes a bit like they used a decoction mash or a very long boil.
Rich bread and caramel/burnt sugar malt flavors underpin a slightly woody, resinous, and crisp hops flavor that’s much more assertive than in the aroma. Bitterness hides just underneath the malt richness, giving support without lingering in the finish. Carb and balance are spot on.
Great light toasted malt sweetness. The hops are lemony and slightly grassy as noted in the aroma and bring a smooth bitterness. The finish is pretty aggressive, bordering on harsh, for such a light beer, but it grows on you over time. Lemon, mint, and pine linger on a dry finish.
On the first swallow, overripe fruit flavors come through, with sweet, tart passion fruit that dominates and lingers. Juicy and fresh, with a balancing bitterness from the grapefruit rind and hops that lasts into the finish. Bready biscuit malt sweetness adds complexity, and the same spicy, estery character in the aroma is in the flavor.
Light body with a touch of wheat malt-like sweetness. Hops bring lemon and peach with a slightly grassy note. Bitterness is low-medium and lingers. Then comes a hoppy pineapple character with some dank undertones with an earthy mushroom-like flavor. Thin body with a lack of chewiness that the style is known for. Toward the end of the sip there’s a light green coffee spiciness. Finish tends toward sweet, which accents the high fruit hop contribution.
The orange-peel flavor is light and wedged somewhere between the malt and hops but doesn’t heighten either. The hops are grassy, floral, resinous, and bitter, and the malt is clean and bready. A little astringency in there, with a light, crisp body. Mildly soapy character, with a bit of bitterness in the finish.
Hops are predominantly fruity with some floral supporting characteristics. Big hops bitterness, but good balance for the style with a relatively dry finish. Malt is clean with a touch of toast and light caramel. The residual caramel sweetness is backed by a resinous bitterness that lets the hops character linger.
Moderate lactic acidity is well-balanced by the toasted malt character. Very light tartness on the finish. Cherry and lemon esters, possibly from the hops, add a light bitterness and a slightly astringent finish that likely comes from malt tannin. A creamy lactic sourness checks the touch of sweetness in the body. Most will find this funky and tart, trending toward wild ale territory.
“Melon and cucumber on the nose with very light pepper underneath. Crisp as it hints at refreshing. The sip crackles with a stiff carb, but the tropical-flavor notes are a bit of a departure for the style. Modern and intriguing.”
Light melon notes in the nose, soft and pillowy. In the sip, a bit of bitterness peeks through, but with a curious tropical-fruit angle. Light and airy, with a perfectly balanced sweetness there to highlight the fun tropical flavors.
Toasted bread and caramelized orange on the nose—juicy with ‘throwback’ pale-malt notes. The sip is somewhat neutral, balanced between that endearing malt and a bit of tight citrus, with a tweak of pithy bitterness.
Bright, bubbly, outgoing nose—lemon, tangerine, yuzu, passion fruit. The sip brings it back to earth with touches of tropical-fruit funk and a woody hop bitterness. Interesting contrasts create tension more than division.
A straightforward pale malt bill with strong bitterness and mellow citrus hops notes. Hops flavors tend toward grassy, with a bit of grapefruit accentuating the bitterness. Very light bread flavors, some sweet esters detract from crisp finish.
Strong caramel malt sweetness pairs well with the West Coast– pine and citrus hops character. The hops have a dry, grassy edge on the finish that comes across a bit rough. Full-bodied, balanced bitterness keeps the sweetness in check.
Citrus is strong enough here to hit first, with an earthy, somewhat grassy, backdrop. Nice soft, grainy, and subtly sweet malt character. The hops pair well and add spicy and light citrus notes. Finishes super dry and slightly bitter with light cherry notes.
Caramel and simple malt sweetness up front with a touch of clean bitterness. Fruity throughout with peach, cherry, orange, lime, and medium-light pine. Slight mineral character on the swallow. Tastes like a earlier stop on the pale-ale evolution from English-style to today’s APA—a bit throwback, but not too far back.
The clean malt bill that brings a touch of toasted character blends well with the fleshy peach character. Hops are citrus in nature and blend well with the rest of the beer. Finishes a little sweet.
Decidedly dank nose mashed with citrus punch and bits of spruce and cannabis. On the sip, a confident and cogent body supports a modern hop approach, feeling classic while pushing into the future. Light, simple, characterful.
Bright, juicy hops notes with predominantly orange but also some lemon zest, grapefruit pith, and pine. A light malt sweetness up front adds to the fruity impression from the hops. Chewy mouthfeel with a slightly drying effect on the finish. Nice balance of sweetness and bitterness.
Herbal and spicy hops with a slight hint of citrus up front with a light sweetness. Bitterness quickly steps in. Finish reveals a touch of sweet malt, which softens the brunt of the bitterness. A medium carbonation and light body keep it crisp.
Clean malt bill with lingering fruity bitterness. Same floral and lemon and blueberry as in the aroma. Bitterness grows in the aftertaste and lingers around. The fruitiness subsides and is left with a bitter, dank hop profile. Light sweetness remains in the background. Nicely balanced.
Slightly malt-forward with toast, caramel, and a touch of chocolate above a clean base-malt character. Bitterness balances this beer very well, and the hops flavor is of orange, apricot, and pine. One of the more complex malt bills we’ve had tonight.
Light lactic sourness with a pleasant hop bitterness. Floral and lime play well off of the tartness, but that runs all over the sweetness of the malt. There’s a salty character and a light lemon and ripe-apple fruitiness. It finishes dry.
"Soft cantaloupe and honeydew melon esters in the nose, with a light herbal freshness. The flavor brings a firm classic bitterness, a bit strong, and little sweetness to temper it. Assertive and characterful despite its small size."
Lots of coffee and little beer—this beer really is about coffee, first and foremost. There’s a slight chocolate character with nice caramel and toast notes if you go digging for them. The finish has hints of vanilla, could probably stand to be a bit more bitter. Hops selection worked well to highlight the positive complexity of coffee’s green pepper flavors.”
Round and sweaty tropical fruit—passion fruit, guava—with a definite fruit-funk on the nose. Big and bold. The sip is endearingly sweet, riding that delicate line between just enough and too much. Tropical fruit owns the approach.
Grape and red licorice in the nose—unexpected but joyful. In the sip, a pervasive sweetness highlights the licorice and candy notes, but the lilting earthy bitterness lends a disjointed element to it.
A slightly muddied nose captures a classic pale feel. The sip is a touch grainy and loose, allowing more fermentation character to push forward and compete with the hops.
Perfectly balanced malt and bitterness. The raw hops flavors are a bit over the top but fun. Low caramel notes in the finish keep it interesting and refreshing. Heavy hops flavor, again very resinous, with that fresh-hops-just-dropped-into-the-boil smell. Finishes clean with a very slight lingering bitterness.
Malt sugary sweetness peeking out from behind some intriguing hops flavors. Green onion, tamarind, and fenugreek. This is a weird, well-balanced not-a-typical-APA beer. Fruity floral hops meld smoothly into bitterness. Light-medium body and medium-high carbonation. Malt is fairly simple with some subtle biscuity undertones. Finishes clean.
The intense citrus and tropical fruit flavor shine, while the malt does enough to keep it interesting and balanced. Similar flavors as displayed in the aroma. Bitterness is spot on. Juicy and complex hops flavors come through as resiny, dank and a touch musty. Incredibly balanced and finishes clean, making it extremely drinkable.
Hops jump in at the front and are sweet and juicy to the finish. The malt character only stands behind to showcase these hops and does not provide much more for the beer. Wonderful intense sweet orange and lemon hops notes contrast with a perfectly balanced bitterness set against slight malty sweetness. Complex hops flavors are accentuated by the dry finish of the beer, without being too bitter.
Malt is about as simple as it can get—likely using some Pilsner malt to brighten things up beyond just plain 2-row pale malt. Hops are fruity (peach) and floral with just a touch of pine. Underlying spice notes add complexity. Finishes clean with a smooth lingering bitterness.
Lots of hops flavor but rather low on bitterness. There’s a bright fruitiness in the beginning with a light earthy characteristic. Medium bitterness balances out the fruit with mild carbonation. Light bready malt provides sweetness mid-palate but drops out for a drier, mild finish that has an interesting hops character with hints of tobacco and resin.
Light caramel malt with hints of toast. Nice grassy, lemon hops character balances nicely. Finish is relatively dry, well-balanced, with lingering bitterness and fruity hops character.
Bright hops character throughout—lots of lemon and pine with a touch of grass. The underlying beer is clean, has a nice caramel malt backbone, and supports the hops. The finish has really nice clean pine notes with a grassy dry hops profile.
Balance between citrus character and some spicy herbal notes. Fruit comes through as orange, lemon, a bit of pear, and white grape. Herbal notes add a bit of spice. Some toast. Slight bitterness, but not overpowering, and balanced with the taste. Nice dry finish and medium-high carbonation.
Assertive bitterness up front that mellows with a nice malt breadline. Hops flavor takes a little work to discern behind the bitterness and malt, but floral character remains. The beer finishes and lingers on the tongue with some biscuit malt sweetness with the floral hops notes. Very dry with medium-high carbonation.
On the nose, hops push through with linen, white flower, guava, and kiwi. Irresistible. Despite the haze, the sip is distinctly dry, with a tightly controlled bitterness and not an ounce of flab. In the finish, a touch of aspirin-like bitterness throws it slightly off course.
Floral nose with crisp linen, herbs, vague sulfur, and a touch of tropical fruit. The sip has a softer edge, with hints of orange and a light sweetness that helps push that softer citrus note. Absolutely fabulous.
Medium body for an APA, medium to high carb. Honey character and citrus tartness return in the aftertaste. Reasonable bitterness but could use a bit more hops flavor. Malt is sweet but flat. Alcohol evident. Balance is a bit on the malt sweet side, but the lack of bitter is made up in hops flavor.
A slightly muted pale, with nice malt complexity and interesting hops flavors, but everything is restrained. Ripe, juicy grapefruit and pine hops notes with a bit of musk and dankness. Missing some body, causing the hops bitterness to come off slightly astringent. Completely balanced with the bitterness trailing off immediately.
Grapefruit and citrus hops notes pair well with a subtle malt sweetness. Very balanced with both sweet and bitter flavors shining through. A juicy hops flavor with an intriguingly crisp malt bill that finishes slightly sweet. It may get a little sweet for the style, but the piney and resinous hops flavors balance the fruit notes while the malt backbone supports the hops flavors.”
Unusual perceived sweetness up front is quite fruity (could be the hops). Crisp and clean with a light body and moderate carbonation. Mild fruitiness (lemon, strawberry, and light grapefruit). Bitterness plays a supporting role with hops flavor up front and malt sweetness in the background. The finish is crisp and dry, with a pleasant lingering bitterness.
Light, clean, simple body. Hops bitterness slightly overpowers the malt and lingers. Same citrus and pine as in aroma. Aftertaste is dry with a moderate lasting of hop spiciness.
Well-balanced malt sweetness and hops bitterness. Bready malt notes. Hops are citrus and berry in nature with some fun lingering esters. Finishes fairly dry, given the caramelized malts.
Big hops flavors of citrus, lemon, lemongrass, floral, and grassy notes up front, with a medium bitterness. Light bready toasted malt and fruity esters that complement the hops. Well- balanced for the style, hops-forward, with just enough sweetness from the malt that gives way to a fruity hops profile that dominates through the finish.
“The nose offers a play of earthy/woody with a bit of creamy orange and grapefruit. The sip confounds expectations for a fermentation-driven beer, throwing a wall of hop bitterness that only a few glimpses of fruit can shine through.”
The orange citrus comes out more in the flavor with honeyed cracker after. A moderate sweetness up front with a moderate bitterness after. Slightly spiced hops character. The beer is light overall without being watery.
Moderate tartness and carbonation upfront with hibiscus and light sweetness. Mild hop bitterness that blends well with the leather and barnyard Brett flavor. Moderate acidity, with a touch of bubblegum.
Guava nose with a tropical-bitter back note and softer tiki-like notes of coconut and vanilla. The sip continues the tropical theme, but a woody hop note with toasted bread and marmalade present an intriguing twist.
Funky tropical guava and passion fruit with a touch of pineapple/piña colada. The sip leads with smart tropical bitterness and solid carbonic bite, quickly resolving into a blend of tropical, bitter, sweet, and funky. Rather pleasant.
Dank weed layers over grapefruit and orange in the nose, with softer tropical fruit on the fringes. The sip mashes these up with intensity; it’s a bit heavier than others, to balance that flavor intensity, but doesn’t feel out of whack. Quirky and characterful.
Subtle orange and light toasty malt on the nose edge slightly away from the classic approach. On the sip, a strong orange-like note with strong, pithy bitterness and a touch of herbal spice offer structure to offset the bigger body. Retro-futurist.
Caramel and toasty malt sweetness with a touch of floral and spiced hops notes. That blend of fruity yeast esters plays off the complex and delicious malt profile. The apple and pear flavors work wonderfully with the bread crust. Lingering bitterness is just a touch harsh
Hop-tastic initial blast of flavor races ahead of the malt. Medium-high carbonation accentuates hops impact. Hops are floral and earthy, with some sweet citrus fruit notes as well. Bitterness is well balanced against a medium body of complex malt, with bread crust, biscuits and jam, and light caramel.
Slightly bready malt bill balanced to style by classic West Coast citrusy hops. Spicy, almost Belgian phenolic yeast character with a light wheat tartness, decent floral hops flavor under the spice, pineapple. Peach and cranberry notes. Malt is bready and slightly sweet with a clean finish. Lingering bitterness in finish without harshness.
Citrus and pine hops flavors dominate with nearly no malt or yeast character. It leans more towards bitter, both in flavor and finish, than some of the others we’ve tasted. The hops grapefruit sweetness is evened out with a touch of grapefruit bitterness and lemon notes that add depth. The finish is refreshing and dry.
Fairly light body, and a moderate carbonation gives it a nice bite mixed with the crisp and clean hops bitterness at the end of the sip. Finishes with moderate bitterness—pine mostly—and a touch of supporting sweetness. There’s less fruit flavor than promised by the aroma, but it’s very clean and balanced with a dry, refreshing finish.
Lemon dominates and is supported by peach and lemongrass. There’s a creamy character, like a meringue. Malt plays second fiddle, and the ferment was clean aside from some esters kicked by the yeast typical of style. The sweet finish emphasizes fruity elements of hops.
Fruit-forward pale ale with cantaloupe and orange notes. Bitterness is nicely restrained and lingers for a while. Slightly astringent and grassy, but not to the point of being distracting. Malt is clean beneath and adds complexity to the perceived sweetness from the fruity hops. Well-placed fermentation esters highlight the fruit notes of the hops.
Orange, grapefruit, pine, touch of lemon, and strawberry. Caramel sweetness with a lingering toasted bread character. Balance is slightly sweet from all of the perceived esters, but the bitterness supports things well and finishes clean. Has just enough English pale-ale character to remind you where American pale ales came from.
“Subtle citrus and floral nose with an earthy mossy-bark element. The sip is properly dialed back, with subtle earthy bitterness, slight citrus top notes, and a solid supporting malt middle.”
“Boldly effervescent and profoundly hop-forward in the nose with a spicy herbal and pepper note. The sip drops into very dry white-pepper and floral notes with an energetic carb and a lingering soft Noble bitterness. Pulsing with quick staccato bursts that gradually fade.”
The peach tastes as much like it is baked as it is fresh. This plays well off of the honey and lightly toasted malt notes. It’s light bodied, with medium carbonation and well-balanced. Finishes dry with lingering peach and a touch of bitterness and acidity.
Haze accentuates the pale color. The nose is herbal, dank, with soft rose and other floral notes as counterpoints. In the sip, light and earthy hops, forest and pine. Suitably dry, well-balanced—simple yet compelling.
The fruity, estery character dominates the flavor. Pilsner malt comes through over time. It’s moderately hoppy and sweet with strong peach, apricot, and strawberry character. First taste is of stone fruit and refreshing light malt toast. Low bitterness and delicate toast work well.
Grapefruit and orange rind with a bit of pine and lemon sits atop a clean fermentation and very little malt backbone. Finish is dry and a touch bitter but doesn't linger. Put together well with nice bright flavors, hops, and malt that play off each other nicely.
Light malt flavor lends a dry, crisp finish. Strong carbonation really makes the clean and well-defined hops flavor pop out! Assertive hops flavor is spicy with some grassy-citrus notes and a bitterness that lingers just enough. Very light, spritzy body.
Soft, subtle light fruit from the malt (pineapple, candy sugar) pairs nicely with the rich hops character that displays pine, grass, strawberry, and hints of citrus and/or lemon balm. The bitterness is very restrained, but it works well in this case. Moderate carbonation helps keep the bitterness on top of the malt sweetness.
Big tropical presence from the mango that dances on top of the citrus and floral hops. Low bitterness is countered by moderate carbonation at the end of the sip. This has a touch of fruit tartness and finishes with a light bitterness and a peach skin-like flavor.”
Very balanced. Pine hops give a Christmas tree welcome. Citrus hops flavor tends toward grapefruit. The bready malt helps you relax, and the bitterness is restrained. A touch heavier body than other examples with a moderate carbonation level. Finishes with bitterness and a light hops spiciness.
Rich, creamy mouthfeel from the lactose. Rich and fruity, like freshly squeezed OJ, as on the aroma, with low-moderate bitterness that lingers softly on the palate. Finish is lightly bitter and slightly sweet.
Spicy floral hops (chrysanthemum) hit strong, then medium rich malt, then a solid wall of bitterness to wrap it up. Light bread character in the background.
More citrus, herbal, and grassy with a bit of bready malt in the finish. Peppery phenols. Moderate low sweetness with low bitterness and a nice dry finish with a bit of hops bitterness that’s not overpowering. Refreshing.
Bright, light, and crisp, with a dry hops bitterness and light fruitiness. The citrus hops flavors pop up front, with light lemon, grapefruit, and orange. Majorly juicy, like hops candy. Mild malt sweetness quickly drops off to a nice backend bitterness—it’s very clean and showcases the hops well. The body approaches thin, but that’s understandable at this ABV.
A curious and delicious balance of bready maltiness with light toffee and caramel notes and an assertive bread crust flavor. The fruity and floral hops flavors work perfectly with the malt, and just a touch of yeast esters add to the complexity.
Bright citrus character carries through, but any malt character is covered up. Bitterness is spot on. A touch of phenol toward the end of the sip (not uncommon for mango beers) that goes into a fruity tart finish. Like a German stollen (holiday fruitcake)—layered bready malt and fruit notes.
Moderate sweet wheat malt profile. A bit of lactic acidity in the front end. Some lemon notes. Very malty with some acidic fruit. High carbonation, finishes dry but with a lingering grainy sweetness.
The malt character is light, but delivers the hops well. Notes of pine, herbal, lemon, pineapple, and grapefruit pithiness give way to some stronger, dank earthy flavors. It’s a bit dry with some warmth. The herbal tea flavor and malt sweetness up front transition to a bitter finish with medium spiciness throughout the sip.
Peach and apricot nose with a touch of herbal spice—a decidedly modern approach. Light and breezy sip, with a present but tightly controlled bitterness playing against gentle pale-malt sweetness. Not a retro pale ale, but firmly aimed at the future.
Beautiful foam. Earthy bitter note in the nose; caramelized orange and burnt bread crust emerge. The sip is beautifully balanced and light, with a fine citrus-pine balance and firm but rounded bitterness. Evokes the classics.
Full bodied with a sweeter malt finish and hops bitterness to match the body. Hops are mostly piney and resinous with a touch of lemon. Moderate hops flavor—peach, pear, and some cherry, with a proper bitter finish. Initial flavor is much more simple than aromatics suggest—a good surprise. Lovely.
Very even malt/bitter balance with low bread notes and plenty of grassy and floral hops flavor coming through that wasn't apparent in the nose. Same fruits as nose—peach, slight banana. Strong clean bitter hops bite with a bit of resinous hops character. Malt is not as sweet as expected given the aroma.
Moderately fruity up front with melon, lemon, strawberry, and light white grape toward the end. A medium bitterness comes right after the fruit and grows throughout the sip. A light orange Creamsicle sweetness mixes with bitterness toward the end. Finish is soft, with a delicate mineral/chewy mouthfeel. It’s not particularly bitter, just enough to balance and accentuate the fruit on the swallow.
The hops flavor hits with a strong citrus, then fades for a moment to come back as tropical fruit. Punctuated by a fairly clear bitterness that lingers just a bit. The fruit and a bit of returning lime create a lasting aftertaste. Moderate carbonation mixes with the hops to create a pleasant bite at the end of the sip.
Hops-forward with pine and citrus dominant, and as it warms, some pineapple notes appear. There is a moderate fruity sweetness up front that’s almost like candy. Medium malt body that’s sufficiently complex without distracting from the hops. The mouthfeel is slightly sweet through the mid-palate, but it gives way to a dry and slightly bitter finish that entices you to take the next sip.
Balanced like an Orange Julius—fruity and sweet throughout, with bitterness to balance, and a bit of tartness mid-palate. Resinous and spicy piney hops characters add just enough bite to help temper the light malt bread-crust sweetness but don’t linger too long. Good carbonation makes the right parts of the beer pop. Finishes slightly dry and bitter, with notes of mango and tropical fruit.
Aroma of tangerine, lemon, baked fennel-onion tart. The sip is incredibly light, its bitter edge more West Coast than New England. That light body accentuates earthier, more herbal hops at the expense of citrus, but it also makes the next sip easier.
Lightly fruity, but heavily dank, nose with a touch of bread malt behind it. The sip feels classic, with more toasted bread crust and a strong but well-integrated bitterness. Comforting and familiar, with an occasional wild streak.
Very juicy for a pale ale. The hops are present and showcased but not overpowering. Amazingly clean pale that allows the hops flavor to dominate and shine! Over-ripe citrus flavors, mostly orange, with very nice resiny, piney hops flavors. Finishes slightly dry with a lingering grapefruit sweetness and slight bitterness.
Big citrus and clean medium bitterness up front. Some spice. Nice esters: melon, tropical fruit.
West Coast hops to boot, showcasing the piney, resinous character with a touch of light citrus. Light bready malt sweetness pairs well with the softly orange, lemon, and resinous hops character. Finish is very clean, with a pleasant lingering bitterness and pine, lemon hops notes.
Definitely gets the dry character of a saison right, great grainy body followed by hints of light fruit on the swallow. Finishes quite dry, but not astringent.
The aroma is unique, with a crisp floral note—there’s a white flower intensity with green herbs and high-key dankness. It’s thoroughly engaging as you plumb the depths. In the sip, the edges soften, that floral note complemented by lighter tropical notes. Gentle, clean, crisp, yet semisweet and endearing. Weird and wonderful.
Tropical fruit—kiwi, papaya—with a sweaty funky note and a chalky gauziness adding a bit of bokeh blur. In the sip, the slightly sweet tropical-fruit body is accentuated by low bitterness and somewhat low carb. Never gets too big for comfort.
Light body, high carbonation, low but balancing bitterness for such a low-gravity beer. Light mint character mixed with a light grapefruit and mango-like flavors. The Brett plays off of a very light malt backbone and carries everything through. Makes the citrus and tropical notes shine.
Rich and fruity with just enough tartness to bring everything together. Same list of fruit as on the aroma and really nice Brett character. Light hops flavor in the middle of the sip. This has a soft malt body—bready and a bit of oat. Light sweetness throughout with a nice dry, crisp finish.
Very juicy and citrusy with lemon, orange, and tangerine notes—the aroma promises, and the flavor over-delivers. The hops fruity sweetness carries through to the dry and clean finish. The complex floral and spice rack pungency in the hops flavor is beautiful and yet quite different from what was suggested in the aroma. Very carbonic and juicy yet dry.
The juicy hops character carries through the beer from the start to finish with lemon, orange, grapefruit, and an almost bubblegum sweetness. The malt body is bright with a clean, crisp finish. Intense juiciness, with wild candy sweetness and lavors, ranging from citrus, to banana, to a butter rum hard candy and a touch of bitterness to balance the sweetness.”
Hops present complex fruit notes with a little more citrus character. The onion notes are there too, but not overpowering and provide depth and contrast. Drinks super clean and malt and hops are in balance. Juicy hops flavors up front, reminiscent of grapefruit and pine, along with tropical fruit notes and an appropriate level of bitterness. Finishes dry and clean.