A: Deep clear mahgony brown. The small tan head quickly disapated.
S: Subtle citrus hop aroma surrounded by small chocolately malt. Welcome light is on.
T: Awesome mix of hop bitternes and a slight smoky malt. Fresh and dry, then a fading grassy or woodiness in the final hop notes.
D: This style is not without it's controversy. Let me declare up front that I am a fan of the style. This beer shows the diversity in a young branch of a new american style. I like the sophisticated blend of piney hop resin and smoky woodiness in the dry clarity of a sweetness void. It's an adult beverage. And I've been wanting to sample anything from theis brewery.
Translucent brown with white head-slight cling. Slight hoppish aroma with coffee character.
Chocolate malt slight watery-ness to it. Hop in end meant to counter upfront dark malts, but too light in application. It leaves the dark malts with a heavy coffee bitter finish. Dry.
I think the dark malts, are heavy on the bitter. Flavorful, but I couldn't have many- the bitter would get harsh I think. Still enjoyed it, but less than perfect.
Pours clear but slightly opaque. Foam is tan and minimal. Retention was grease lightly. Lacing is sporadic and sticky.
Aroma is subtle citrus aroma behind some nice roasted, nut, and mild chocolate.
Taste is sweet at first which quickly changes to a earth, roasted, and smoke middle to end. There is some bitterness from citrus, wood hops that lingers.
In spite of the deep color, it is light in the mouth with a less carbonation than expected.
Just getting into this style and the two beers that fit the category to this point, are really different from each other. This one comes up short compared to the other. In search of consistency in this style. Enjoy!
"...there is only one game at the heart of America and that is baseball, and only one beverage to be found sloshing at the depths of our national soul and that is beer." - Peter Richmond