Thomas Hooker American Pale Ale

Brewed by Thomas Hooker Brewing Company
Style: American Pale Ale
Bloomfield, Connecticut USA

Serve in Lager glass, Shaker

Reviewed from notes (2008) A: Transparent copper with slight off white head... S: Mostly bread-like malts, some citrus hops but nothing that pops... T: Mirroring the aroma, the bread-like malts are prevalent, there isn’t much depth here as the malts are rather one dimensional, and citrus hops finish... M: Smooth medium bodied... O: Not Likely to return to this brew... disappointing when compared to other hooker beers...

This has a dark, hazy orange unfiltered look to it. The aroma is a little off - sweet in a way that suggests that the hops do not mix well with the wheat component. Somewhat bitter at start and malty sweet, cloying finish. Like some other pales, this might be very different without wheat. Hopping is not nearly as evident as it should be based on the listed description.

12 ounce bottle. Pours light amber with average off-white head. Aroma of malt, caramel and hops. Taste is similar. Nice balance. Easy to drink.

Wife brought me back 5 random CT brews from sales trip. This is 1st. Pours murky orange brown. Nose is of hops, lemon, and barnyard. Taste is mildly hoppy, malty, caramel, earth, and light citrus.

12 ounce bottle - $1.99 at Total Wine & More in Alpharetta, Georgia. Born On: ... Ugh, there’s a big smear across the digits. 2011... 0-something. 2-something. People say they want born-on dating, but half the time, it’s entirely illegible. Ah well!

Appearance: Pours a hazed, filthy-looking, orangesque body with a tallish, whitish head.

Smell: Faintly sweet-scented bready pale malts with a thin, thin brushing of candied caramel with some inviting floral hints (maybe a bit of honeysuckle) and sliced sweet lemons.

Taste: Pale malts, some notions of sweetish caramel and a bit of breadiness. Floral, citrus hops with ample bitterness. Some near-resinous hints past the mid-palate. Drying, citrusy, well-carbonated finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium-plus carbonation, a tad fizzy.

Overall: Simple but sufficient but not worth seeking out.

I was expecting not to like this based on reviews. However, I found it quite enjoyable. IPAs and APAs are amongst my least favorite beers but I found this one very nice. It’s a beautiful looking beer and the flavors of lemon rind and lemon juice come across nicely. It’s not overly hoppy which is probably why I enjoyed it as much as I did.

(bottle 4/11/10, courtesy of Cletus). Clear copper color. Medium off white head. Moderate grass hop aroma, with light malt and light citrus. Flavor of the same. Avg duration. Very light bitter & dry finish. Slick texture. Moderate carbonation. Fair lacing.

Pours a beautiful burnt orange. Inch of foamy, light head. Very malty, but with a light, crisp finish. Bitter and sweet balance each other well. Great beer from a great state.