Amarillo Pale Ale
Pittsfield Brew Works

One in a series of single hop pale ales at the BW. I grew to love the amarillo flavor that I first discovered in Smuttynose IPA. This one is well-balanced, citrus and grapefruit as one would expect, with a firm enough malt backbone to hold it all together. It seems a little one-dimensional compared to Smuttynose IPA, but that was their intent - to showcase particular hops and in this they definitely succeed. I hope they bring it back.

Had on cask at the brewpub. Hazy orange color with a thin white foam. The aroma was mostly hops, apparently amarillo hops although I'm not good at naming different hops varieties. The flavor was nice, kind of on the border of pale ale and IPA (American version) with a slightly tart after-taste. Nice soft mouthfeel from the cask, reminded me of London. I recommend it if you find it.

German-style refillable growler filled at the brewpub.

First imperial pint pours with a 3/4" off-white lasting head, with lots of sticky lacing. Cloudy, orangey-amber brew. Aroma is a sticky pine and grapefruit. Taste is light malt sweetness upfront, quickly upstaged by resiny hoppiness, with a light citrus tang. Lingering bitterness on close. Mouthfeel is smooth and soft, and drinkability is easy. Not sure what there isn't to like about this one, except that it's most likely a one-off in their single hop series.