Real Ale Devils Backbone

Lasting rocky white head covers a plainly clear shining yellow robe. Beautiful hallertau nose, immediately proposing honeysuckle flowers, perfumey and soily, spicy character that gently complements the biscuity and honeyed malts and make you forget about the subtle underlying alcohol. Estery nature – pineapple-, supporting spices (cardamom? Coriander?) and a firm yet creamy medium body make this a very competent take, if a bit sweet, but it has the tartness to compensate.

Fruity, lightly spicy, malty sweet aroma. Clear golden body is topped by a low, off white head that recedes slowly to ring with some lacing. Strong berry like fruit flavour with leafy, herbal hops and some spiciness and alcohol apparent. Medium body is quite dry with assertive effervescence and mild alcohol warming. Not overly complex but straight forward and enjoyable. Sampled at GABF 2005.

(Draught, Flying Saucer - Addison) Pours a lightly hazy golden body with a small white head. Aroma of honey, mustiness, coriander, and herbs. Flavor of coriander, yeast, light citrus, and orange peel.

I’ve previously that the beers from Real Ale are fine--and definitely worth trying beyond Texas--but not worth a special trip. This beer changes my mind, and I’m one to always presume against a local brewery for fear of being a "rah rah" crowd for local beers as I think sometimes happens. It’s not the flavors but the composition, which presents a really excellent balance. You’ve got a major bubblegum component with strong spice, orange citrus, and candi sugar. Clear, rich-golden with slow moving bubbles; a good palate of some zing but lots of stickiness too. Enormously satisfying and very well composed. Lovely! (on tap, Gingerman, Dallas, TX)

Poured cloudy golden orange with thin white head...smell is very spicy with corriander and cloves and alcohol too...taste is sweet and smooth...mouthfeel great the bittersweet citrus thing went quite well with the alcohol sweet...