American Pale Ale
Cricket Hill Brewing Co.

 

Years ago when all of the beers I bought were in bottles, I drank a lot of Cricket Hill and even toured their brewery in Fairfield a few times. It was hard to believe when I bought this that I never had it before, as this beer seemed to be on shelves all over this neck of the woods. While not outstanding, this was on par with the other offerings and was certainly enjoyable enough to drink and true to stylistic form - even if it wasn't outstanding or as good as what I have out of cans nowadays!

This had a good copper hue to it that was bright enough and just a bit hazy. Plenty of head topped it off but there wasn't any lacing to be seen as I worked my way through this, with the beer being a bit lighter in consistency than I would have liked. Bready malt, pine, earth, caramel, and yeast filled the nose as the taste contained all of those. Blood orange juice, lemon pledge, and herbal tea spice came into the mix as this had a lively carbonation and plenty of body to it. Floral and tone and somewhat dry, this had enough slickness to it that lingered on the palate once this went down although I felt like I needed a chaser of water when all was said and done.

Not a lot of booze here as this felt like a session ale and I only felt a hint of warming after I finished this off. Basic and with enough flavor to satisfy, this was a typical American Pale Ale that would please any imbiber while being a bit exotic with it's range of flavors. Worth a go once but it would have been nice to know when this was bottled!

Nice amber red color and poured a nice foamy head. A little lemony and wheat but barely any hoppy bitterness. Light fizz, very easy to drink.

On tap in a 14oz tapered glass.

Reddish amber color with a 1f head, a shade darker than pure white. Lots of curtain lacing and lively bubbles.

Light hop and pale malt aroma. Grassy, bready, lemon.

Hearty malt flavor with a touch of lemony hops.

Full body with a sturdy malt backbone. A dry hop finish that avoids bitterness.

A real APA, plenty of malt, not overly hopped. Under the radar and worth a try.

 

This was poured into a pint glass.
The appearance was a burnt caramel brown color with a one finger white foamy head that dissipated within less than a mintue. Light stringy lacing.
The smell had some caramel malts, light toast and a crisp biscuity-ness overcoating some citrusy hops.
The taste was initially malty sweet with a decent background of citrus bitterness.
The mouthfeel was about a light on the body with a decent sessionable feel to it. Carbonation ran light. Malts slightly stick on my tongue, not bad.
Overall, not a bad APA, just nothing over the top.

Not a bad pale ale. A little earlier than I would like but overall very smooth.
No bottling or best by date, so no way to know how fresh it was.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a darn nice ale!! Don't get why there are so few reviews - guess it's just not "out there" enough yet!! Makes me want to check out this brewery.

 

10/21...pours bright copper color with fluffy white foam and heavy white lacing. Light malty nose, mild pine too. Balanced malty bitter taste, even keeled. Good flavor embedded in simplicity. No fuss (none needed).