West Bank Pub Ale
Town Hall Brewery

As a fan of Masala Mama I noticed similarities in this one - similar citrusy hop profiles even if this one is not as intensely flavored. Like most Town Hall beers this tips the balance a bit in favor of maltiness but tastefully so. Very solid, and appropriate as a session ale.

 

 

 

 

One of the few U.S. examples of a proper bitter that I have encountered (the best is from Oliver brewery at the Pratt Street Ale House in Baltimore). Well balanced and served cask conditioned, as all bitters should be. This was a surprising treat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

64 oz. growler bought from the brewpub. Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a bright and clear golden amber orange with lots of rising bubbles. Huge five finger white head with good retention. Quite a bit of lacing sticking around the glass.

Smell: Huge citrus aroma. Big scent of orange, mango, grapefruit, and pineapple with a little lemon. Very fresh and ripe smelling. Impressive hop aroma for such a small beer. Also a nice backing of bready pale malts and caramel. Citrus really stands out.

Taste: The flavor is citrus forward like the nose but more subdued. A nice blend of oranges, mango, pineapple, grapefruit, and lemon. Some sweet caramel malts and a hint of honey in the background. Also a light floral hop presence. Forward with the citrus hops but not very bitter. Tastes pretty good.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with a moderate level of carbonation. Crisp, creamy, slightly chewy and very smooth.

Overall: A very good English Bitter. Great citrus presence for an easy drinking session ale.

On cask at Town Hall Brewery. This beer arrives a clear orange-amber color. The head is a solid inch of foam that lasts until the beer is gone, and leaves thick rings of lacing along the sides of the glass. The aroma is of lemons, limes, oranges, and herbal hops. The taste has a strong grapefruit character, but there is also an ample amount of passion fruit, lemon, lime and orange. There is also a firm bitterness in the finish. It is a really complex taste, and I seem to find something new with each sip. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with appropriately low carbonation, and a silky texture. Overall, this is a really good beer that verges on greatness. I am really kicking myself that it took me seven years of patronizing Town Hall before I tried it. I will certainly not be waiting seven more years before I drink it again.

 

 

 

Poured into a pint glass on tap.

A- Pours a one finger white head, nice clear golden straw color, decent lacing.
S- The aroma is hop forward, grassy notes, pine, citrus, grapefruit, slight malt presence.
T- The taste is very similar to the aroma, grassy hop aroma upfront, citrus, pine, grapefruit malt backbone, enjoyable.
M- Medium mouth feel, well carbonated, crisp finish.
O- I’ve had this beer many times and have always forgotten to tick it, this beer I feel is over looked because of all the other great beers Town Hall brews, this beer is solid and very enjoyable.