Fossil Fuels X.P.

Brewed by Stumptown Brewery
Style: American Pale Ale
Guerneville, California USA

Serve in Lager glass, Shaker

16 oz sample (actually could only finish about 8oz) on tap at Spin Burger in Sacramento. Listed as Fossil Fuels Pale Ale. Light herbal grassy hops present in the nose with slight metallic undertones. Mild-moderately hazy amber body with a small, quickly dissipating head and no lacing whatsoever. Sweet, sugary start. Becomes herbal with some strange smokiness in the middle. Finishes with some anise, light pepper, and spiciness. More cloying sweetness late. Underattenuated, and lacking much in the way of hops. A disaster. I have had better from first time extract brewers using a Mr.Beer kit.

An amber ale with a thin white head. In aroma, a very herbal malt with wild grass, coriander notes, very belgian, fruity esters. In mouth, a nice malty offering with an oily mouthfeel, coriander herbaceous effect, medium bodied. On tap at brewpub, August 16 2009.

Clear golden with a fizzy white head. Orange and citrus aroma and tastecwith some mild hops bitterness.

On tap @ the brewpub. Clear amber golden with a one finger off-white head, decent lacing and faded to a thick film after a minute or two. Aroma of citrus and herbal hops, a bit of honey, and some earthy and sweet caramel malts. Flavor is slightly more herbal, though the citrus is still present. Some caramel backs it up. Semi-dry with bitterness peaking around a 3. Low carbonation, medium body. Actually a pretty good beer--not ungodly complex, but solid.

This IPA has a very complex flavor profile. It tastes super grassy and resiny, like fresh hops. Apparently, however, much of the spiciness and "fresh" character comes from a 45 million year old strain of yeast that resembles brewers yeast! An experimental ale brewed by Stumptown after being approached by scientists, it is a zesty, light and refreshing ale. Notes of lemon, grass, grapefruit, and even a touch of clove, with a slightly toasty and carmelly background.