Upstream Capitol Premium Pale Ale

On tap at the brewpub downtown. Poured a slightly hazy deep copper. Off white amber tinged head, nice lacing throughout. Some floral hops on the nose, some malt, caramel and a little must, nothing really offensive. Flavor was interesting. It had a malt spice background , hop presence leading.. though it was dull and deep. Not the normal sharp bitter/refreshing back I would expect from a pale. Reminded me a bit of an ESB. Finished fairly clean, a little bitter left. Drinkable, not bad. Though I don’t think it’s the best example of the style.

On tap at the brewpub. Pours a slighlty hazy golden orange with a thin off-white head. On the nose is pale/caramel malt with a slightly fruity hop note. Light to medium-bodied and slick with a bitter and astringent finish. The flavor more-or-less follows the nose, but the ending is just bad, almost like green olive juice was mixed into this one. It starts out decently enough, but the finish is unforgivable; this one’s pretty rough. As odd as this stuff tastes, I wouldn’t be surprised if the line for this one is contaminated, but come on, this is their own place. That should never happen.

Not much aroma, although fresh smelling. Light amber with a creamy head and good lacing. Slight hop taste at first then not much afterwards. Decent mouthfeel.

Tap @ brewpub: Clear amber color with no head. Interesting flavor for a pale ale. It actually resembles an ESB more than a pale. Flavors of freshly polished shoe leather and something musty. There is a sharp bitterness in the flavor, almost like hair spray. At worst, it is a bad example of an American Pale ale or at best, not my preference for this category.

on tap at dowtown location... tried the cask-conditioned version, which was served at the correct temperature! amber gold color, with an amazing smooth head which coats the side of the glass and lasts all the way to the bottom of the pint - rather amazing. Nice hoppiness with good malt balance. Good work, Zach!