 FlacoAlto (2142), Tucson, Arizona, USA
May 2, 2008
Pours with a frothy, initially fat-two-finger thick, light tan colored head into my 25cl tulip glass. The beer is a lightly hazy, ruddy amber color, but shows a bright, almost clear, copper color when held up to the light. The aroma is much more malt focused than I was expecting; ample notes of sweet caramelized malt, toasted bread notes, a biscuit maltiness and a sweet grain cookie character are all quite prominent. This does have some hop character, it just plays a secondary role to the malt; hop driven aromas of currants, a rich earthy spiciness and a light resinous hop character all seem to accentuate the malt character more than jumping out on their own. This has quite a pleasant aroma, it is just surprisingly malt focused for a beer with the word hop on so prominent a display on its label.
Sweet malt character is the first thing I notice in my first sip, but this is fairly light bodied, though it does have a slightly sticky malt texture to it. The hops kick in with a resinous, herbal hop flavor and persistent, lightly astringent bitterness. The hops play more of a role in the flavor than they did in the aroma, but they are still second fiddle to the ample, sticky malt character. The sweet malt and hop character combines to create a jam-like, berry flavor here. I do like the finish of this brew as the hop character gets a bit herbal, with a nice floral accent & light bitterness that helps to wash the mouth of the excessive crystal malt. It is only an attempt, as the hop character really doesn’t have a chance of standing up to the malt here; caramelized malt sugars, ample biscuit-like flavors and an astringent grain husk edge that though light, just adds to the crystal malt domination.
The crystal malt notes play a bit too big of a role here, they completely overwhelm the aroma and even make a significant attempt at washing out the flavor of this brew. Really not all that bad, but if you are sensitive to excessive crystal malt usage this may be a little too much. Strangely, though the aroma is much more malt dominated than the flavor, it is the flavor where the malt just becomes too excessive.
Purchased: Plaza Liquors, Tucson AZ
tomciccateri (463), Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Oct 5, 2008 12-ounce brown bottle in Albuquerque. Amber color, creamy white head and lace. Intense hoppy aroma. Medium body, pronounced hop flavor and bitterness. Subtle malt flavor, late alcohol notes. Even dry/sweet flavor balance. Not well-balanced, but likely to appeal to hop-heads.
SynergyXJ (405), Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
Oct 5, 2008 Bottle, #404 Hazy golden pour with small head. Light floral hop aroma. Great hoppy flavor too. Good brew overall.
brigg (139), Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Oct 3, 2008 (bottle) Hazy orange body and medium off-white head with peaks and lacing. Wonderfully floral, fruity and hoppy aroma - sweet, fresh grapefruit. Light bodied, and tingly carbonation. Flavor is sweet, but dries up somewhat on the way back. Lots of fruit, some caramel.
CelticBrew (496), The Crystal Coast, North Carolina, USA
Oct 2, 2008 Poured a light amber hue, forming decent eggshell white foamy head. Aroma of pine resins, passion fruit and grapefruit; very oily and fresh; lacks a bit of density. The flavour however is smoother and more refreshing than I was expecting for a "cold hop" type beer. Flavors of orange juice, pine needles and a bit of a toffee earthiness lead off, smoothing it to a dry, perhaps somewhat one-dimensional finish. I mean, it was ok to drink, had a bit of character, but in the end it was slightly dull.
KieferUGA (351), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Oct 2, 2008 12 oz. bottle. Hazy, light amber color. Large, frothy, off white head. Malty aroma. Sweet flavor with a dash of earthy hops. Metallic taste at the end.
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