Explosive carbolic thrust withstanding, stylistically robust Australian pale ale utilizes peachy passionfruit-like Galaxy hops to inform the peppery floral spicing and drape the light caramel malting. Lemon-peeled grapefruit zest freshens the bittersweet passionfruit tartness. Resinous pine and fresh-cut grass waft thru the tropical-fruited frontage as well as the candi-sugared mango, pineapple, papaya, guava, tangerine, nectar and lychee undertones.
Climactic yellow grapefruit bittering lingers as piney citric-oiled Mosaic hops harken West Coast IPA styling. Freshly-squeezed lemon juicing subsumes earthen herbs, sweetening at tropical-leaning citrus finish, leaving tertiary pineapple, mango and papaya undertones.
Bettering most lighter bodied pale ales with its full flavored profile, murkily rust-hazed Texan (in a can) offers crystal-malted cereal grain toasting and moderate piney hop bittering to delicately sugar-spiced grapefruit, pineapple and orange tang as well as zesty lemon twist. Crisp well-watered minerality provides clean base for brisk floral-fruited finish. Recommended to softer ale palates.
Dandy li’l canned pale ale brings German alt yeast to soft-toned fruit spicing and mild grassy hops. Lemony grapefruit, tangerine and Bartlett pear illusions soak up dry piney niche. Cereal grain remnant found at sourdough bottom.
On tap at Taphouse Grille, easygoing flagship pale ale retains dry moderate body. Punctual citric-hopped bittering juxtaposes buttery pale malts. Sharp lemon pith bite enlightens dark floral bouquet, chamomile tea reminder and light vanilla persuasion. Just a tad askew.
“Evoking a classic midsummer salad” with its musky dry-hopped herbage, brusquely salted tomato-cucumber niche and faintly bruscetta-like backdrop, halfway intriguing 2014 limited edition (draft-only) pale ale needs firmer stylistic identity (though finding a referential pale ale seems impossible). Pungent garlic, onion and basil snips drift off post-haste. Less unique than gimmicky and coarse instead of sharp.
Similar to brewers’ popular Zombie Dust, dry-hopped moderation offers honey-spiced pale malting to floral citrus nature. Orange-peeled grapefruit, pineapple, peach and mango illusions brighten brisk finish. Mild butterscotch sweetness stays below.
On tap at Jimmy’s Grill, Half Acre’s well-rounded flagship offering brings forth a sharper citric acidity than most simpler pale ales. On first sip, champagne yeast and bark-dried oak drape lemon-peeled grapefruit rind, pineapple, mandarin orange, tangerine and mango illusions. Afterwards, floral fruiting picks up creamy caramel malting.
Sharper, woodier and bolder than most Imperial pale ales, concise copper-hazed medium body allows resinous pine hop bittering to impact floral-bound orange rind, grapefruit, tangerine and peach tones. Ashen phenolic astringency increases bitter end.
On tap at Nevin’s, pleasurably predictable light-medium body brings mild piney hop bittering to floral citrus spree. Lemony yellow grapefruit, zesty blood orange and dainty white peach illusions seem a bit reluctant riding atop fresh-breaded biscuit malts . Still, effective mainstream fodder.
On tap at The Lantern in Naperville, well-rounded pale ale pushes the envelope slightly without becoming too harshly alcoholic. Profoundly embittered IPA-like fruiting protrudes above crisp bite of stylish summer session ale. Pungent piney hop resin flourishes beside juicy pineapple, grapefruit, orange and peach tang, leaving an imprint on its mild wheat-sugared biscuit malt bottom.
1st beer ever made by Detroit microbrewery retains subtle floral citrus appeal and sticky pine resin bittering. Lemon zest, yellow grapefruit peel and orange pith tartness increase mild dry hop bittering.
