Orlio Organic Common Ale

Got to try this great little organic at River Valley Food Co-op. Wonderful beer. Really enjoyed it. Drinkable and hoppy.

12oz brown bottle from Hannaford in Gardiner (of all places). Translucent amber-red body with a thin film of light tan head. Caramel malt dominates the aroma with a hint of fruitiness. Roasty caramel malt comprises most of the flavor with just the slightest hint of hops at the very end. Somewhat creamy mouthfeel, on the fuller side of medium-bodied. Relatively drinkable. A pretty tasty solid ale.

Bottle from Capone’s. This one is better than the ratings would indicate, and quite frankly the blanket hatred of Magic Hat rather pisses me off. At any rate, the pour is deep copper with a 1-finger khaki head. I have no fame of reference for what a common ale should look like, but this one looks good to me. The aroma is caramel malt, wet crisp hops, citrus, and some brown sugar. The taste is wet hoppy, citric, with a good balance of caramel malt. The palate is medium heft, with a smoth finish, staying in balance until culmination. This common ale is uncommonly good.

On tap at Vermont brewpub. Floral hoppy. Light orange with big soapy head. Creamy, above average mouthfeel. Good bitterness without the high IBU.Drinkable.

Bottle in NYC. Glowing dark gold. Soft, fruity, well balanced beer. Sweet and sour cherries, fine dryness.

Bottle. This is a nice one in my book...I’m not quite sure why there’s not much love for this one...or for Magic Hat, for that matter. Appearance: Cloudy bronze, a thin head that dissipates fairly soon. Probably its weakest link in my book. Nose: For me, a classic/generic "Beer Festival Aroma". Malt leads into grassy hops, the smell of springtime. A bit of stale hay and grape leaves are lurking in there as well. Taste: A slight acidic bite fades into a mild floral/grass bouquet, with a sweet-tart finish (is that a citrus tang at the end?) Palate: "Slinky" -- smooth, tart, and a bit of a bubbly snap. Overall: A great everyday brew, one I’d class as a strongish (5%) Lawnmower Brew. Nothing spectacular, but likewise nothing offensive, either. Plus, it’s organic! I’m hoping to see more and a wider variety of organic offerings in the near future. I’m tired of worrying about GM corn sugars in my beer.

Clean and crisp. Nice maltiness, but not cloying. Flavorful and well made, with no oxidized aftertaste. With the possible exception of Sammy Smith Organic Ale, which is sometimes too diacetylic, this is the best organic beer I have tasted.

Pours gold with a white head. Smells fruity with some toasted malt hints. Tastes breaddy and sweet with a crisp finish.