Declaration Ale pours a clear pure copper color with a big, fluffy, off-white head. On the nose, there’s an underlying maltiness that comes through with a light toasty caramel impression. Look for a somewhat fruity note akin to apple skins, and floral and lightly citric hops. On the palate, the malts are front and center in this brew, contributing a smooth, creamy, residual sweetness that lasts from start to finish with a nice toasty flavor. Some fruitiness develops on the mid-palate while hops contribute a floral and lightly zesty citric character, and while the hop bitterness does add some balance, the sweet Munich malts ultimately win out. Try it with grilled pork chops, or a spicy dish like mango-ginger-habanero shrimp where the beer’s sweetness can quench some of the heat. Here’s to the 235th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Cheers!