Central Waters Happy Heron Pale Ale

Brewed by Central Waters Brewing Co.
Style: American Pale Ale
Amherst, Wisconsin USA

Serve in Lager glass, Shaker

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(12 oz bottle: Obtained in trade with hezron, thanks Nathan!) Central Waters is rapidly becoming one of my favorite midwestern breweries. This is now my fourth from this place, and once again, I’m impressed. It seems an ample toasty maltiness is their signature; as with other offerings, this pale ale is noticably maltier than many others in the style, with a modest toastiness contributing to the pleasantries. It’s mildly sweet, and balanced by a moderately bitter and citrusy hoppiness. The nose is very aromatic, showing plenty of toasty, grainy malt and a lighter contribution from hops. Medium-to-full bodied, stimulating all corners of the mouth for a few seconds before trailing off, finishing crisp, somewhat dry and bitter. Dark golden color, somewhat hazy in appearance, with a steady supply of carbonation bubbles still rising long after the pour. The off-white head shows solid retention and fully coats the glass with a curtain of lace. A solid pale all in all respects, one which isn’t widely distributed, so make the extra effort to trade for it.

Pale golden color. Great lacing. No head. Dank hops in the aroma. Taste is very hoppy. No citrus but lots of grass and pine. Very easy drink. I liked this one and could make it an all day session-er.

12 oz bottle. Average color and aroma but very good taste. Would definitely have again

Originally reviewed: 12/27/09. Poured into a mug. Pours a clear dark orange with a thin off-white head on top. Retention was lacking. Left very little lace. Scents of earthy hops, light orange, and biscuits. Full crisp body. Flavor was a little harsh and overly spicy. Bitterness was lingering and charring. This wasn’t the best representation of the style. It was decent, just not my thing.

12oz bottle. Rating #120. Dark amber with a little gold to brighten it up, nice sticky white head that left some good lacing. Nice piney aroma with a little sweetness. Above average bitterness, a little tropical with some more pine and a nice malty sweetness. Tasty stuff. (2296)

12oz bottle. pours a hazy yellow color with a thin white head, aroma is mixed with fruit and sweetness with hop notes, the taste is overall more fruit like than hops but is still very enjoyable.

Bottle pours gold with a white head. Aroma shows notes of toffee, apple, and light florals. Flavor is somewhat grassy with underlying notes of peach. Overall body is moderate and finishes with a fairly balanced bitterness.

Decent head, pale gold color, nice floral notes, finishes with cereal and a bit of hops bitterness. Pleasant, would drink again.

Very pale amber with fluffy white head. Aroma of light caramel candy and herbal/vegetal hops. Flavor is solid pine and, to a much lesser extent, citrus-like hop bitterness. Very little malt coming through. Finishes with residual citrus and pine.

Pretty solid pale ale. Bottle to glass. Nice crisp aroma of citrus (grapefruit) and pine. Pour is amber/gold with a nice moderate white head. Medium carbonation and a slightly bitter finish. This is a go to when I see it around. Another all around solid offering from CW.

Pour a very clean orange/amber color with a solid frothy, white head on top. Aroma has a very inviting orange and light grapefruit citrus with some light pine presence at the tail end. Flavor has an overall solid bitterness but very well balanced by the light sweetness. Notes of grapefruit, orange, pine abound with a great light toasted malt note to compliment the continuing grapefruit acidity that follows the tasting. Mouthfeel is pretty lively with very fine carbonation providing a sharpness to the slight crispness felt in the body. Overall a fantastic example of an APA. Not overly bitter and really allows the flavors of the hops to shine. I honestly LOVE the grapefruit acidity tasted in this beer.