Monkey
ABV: IBU: SRM: |
What the brewer says “A traditional English-style pale ale
- gles and Goldings hops dominate the flavor but it has subtle notes of citrus and flower from Cascade hops. Distinct bitterness and a slight malt sweetness characterize the taste.”
What our panel thought Aroma: “An interesting mix of hops and malt that competes for attention. Nice biscuit and bread-crust malt notes with an interesting pungent orange marmalade and floral lavender hops character with some light fruity esters.” Flavor: “A curious and delicious balance of bready maltiness with light toffee and caramel notes and an assertive bread-crust flavor. The fruity and floral hops flavors work perfectly with the malt, and just a touch of yeast esters add to the complexity. Overall: “An enjoyable beer—tastes
- wood yeast. The malt body provides a nice counterpoint to the spicy and earthy hops character. An old-school American interpretation of British pub ales that encompasses all of those rich English malt flavors—bread crust, biscuit, and
Ale
ABV: IBU: SRM: |
What the brewer says “A classic malt-accented, copper-colored pale ale in which subtle fruity esters from the Samuel Smith yeast strain interact with caramel flavors (from organic crystal malt) and fresh hops.” What our panel thought Aroma: “Sweet caramel, toast, and toffee notes with a floral and earthy hops character. Esters evoke fresh-cut Red Delicious apples or an orange grove after the rain. Not much hops aroma, but other components more than make up for its absence.”
Flavor: “Caramel and toasty malt sweetness with a touch of floral and spiced hops. That blend of fruity yeast esters plays off the delicious malt profile—apple and pear flavors work
- gering bitterness is just a touch harsh. Overall: “Very enjoyable malt-forward pale ale with subtle floral and earthy hops. The bold fruit flavors and sweet
- freshing treat. Finishes medium sweet with some tartness in the aftertaste.
- derfully complex and tasty beer with flavors not often found in this style.
Pale Ale
ABV: IBU: SRM: |
What the brewer says “A smooth, balanced, copper-colored session beer with mildly spiced flavor and aroma from the East Kent Goldings hops. The bready, lightly caramel malt complements the hint of fruitiness contributed by the London Ale yeast.” What our panel thought Aroma: “A slight sourdough bread note up front, with mild floral, herbal, and spicy hops character underneath. Malt is reminiscent of toasted graham crackers with Bit-o-Honey candy-sweet notes.” Flavor: “This beer definitely leans more toward the malt than the hops. Interesting malt notes—bread crust, graham cracker, and some biscuit. Hops flavors of citrus and orange are
- terness to provide some balance. Crisp and carbonic with a dry finish.” Overall: “Enjoyable, although the malt needs definition to shine through. Hops play a supporting role—this is more like an English bitter or even a slightly more flavorful mild than a ‘true’ EPA. Good balance of malt sweetness and hops character that did not seem to get in the way of each other. Excellent example of an EPA—very enjoyable
93
95
AROMA: 1193
88
APPEARANCE: 3 FLAVOR: 19 MOUTHFEEL: 4 OVERALL: 10 AROMA: 11 APPEARANCE: 3 FLAVOR: 19 MOUTHFEEL: 5 OVERALL: 10 AROMA: 11 APPEARANCE: 3 FLAVOR: 19 MOUTHFEEL: 4 OVERALL: 10 AROMA: 10 APPEARANCE: 3 FLAVOR: 18 MOUTHFEEL: 4 OVERALL: 10Ale
ABV: IBU: SRM: |What the brewer says - sion of fresh whole hops flowers in the hops back and the fermentor, as well as four hops additions during the kettle boil. We like how this gives the beer a fresh, lively flavor and aroma.” What our panel thought Aroma: “Big hops aroma with a mix of earthy/floral notes and an overlay of citrus. Perhaps it’s dry hopped with American variety? Very floral in the nose with some slight biscuit toast character in the back.”
Flavor: “Hop-tastic initial blast of - um-high carbonation accentuates hops impact. Hops are floral and earthy, with some sweet citrus fruit notes as well. Bitterness is well-balanced against a medium body of complex malt, with bread crust, biscuits and jam, and light caramel.”
Overall: “Tasty, juicy, hops-focused pale ale. Medium malt level allows for high hops bitterness without harshness. A well-executed and enjoyable beer where the hops and malt character come together and blend well. A tasty hybrid of American and English character.”
RATED PICK
CRAFT BEER & BREWING
Pale Ale
At the brewers’ after-party at the Shelton Brothers Festival last October, we watched a room full of some of the most celebrated brewers in the world clean the bar out of the venerable Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. It may not be the sexiest pale, but it was one of the very first to celebrate U.S. - vada’s focus on consistency and quality has earned them respect from the best of their peers. It’s the standard by which all others are judged.
Live
Bottle-conditioned and bright, Southern Tier Live
became a favorite in the Craft
Beer & Brewing Magazine®
office fridge as we put this issue together. With a perfect balance of crisp malt and well-defined contemporary citrus hops profile, Live never feels like it’s trying too hard—the elements play well together, and the dry finish sets up each new sip.
Pale Ale
This bottle from Lagunitas panels for the issue wrapped up, but that didn’t stop the team from enjoying the exquisite fresh hops profile showcased by Born Yesterday. At 7.5% ABV, it’s at the very top of what could be considered an imperial pale ale, but the very light body and balanced bitterness let the aroma and flavors hops push forward.