Fresh Hopped Pale Ale
Rattlesnake Mountain Brewing Company

 

I stopped in after a long day's travel, thirsty. Having the fresh hop brew was a welcome treat.

It was served in a pint tumbler with little head and a tawny cloudy color. Lacing was present but unexceptional. The smell was not as strong as I expected from a fresh hop beer, but it was good. The hops were floral and citric, a little piney but mostly fresh.

The taste was similar, but included a spicy off-flavor that I couldn't identify - a little woody, perhaps some cinnimon. It was persistent and detracted. There was a solid malt base, but hops and freshness were the overarching features of this brew. Mouthfeel was OK, a little on the thin side, but there was overall a satisfying body, not too heavy.

Drinkability was great. This is a good offering, not highly polished, but satisfying.

This seasonal pale ale with no proper name is a temporary stand in for Rattlesnake’s rotating IPA. It is exceptionally good, and coming on the heels of my unfortunate experience with their oatmeal stout, it’s a tremendous relief to have my faith in Rattlesnake Mountain restored.

Though a few of the more herbaceous qualities of a wet hop ale make their presence known, the essence of the beer does not fully surrender to them. The aroma bursts with a succulent, resinous pine. The taste too, is like pine. Perhaps fir. What’s interesting is the completely opaque body in the color of warm sienna. It is turbid beyond anything I’ve ever heard called pale. Beyond the pale, you might say.

Suds play a cameo role while hop flavor dances around a sugarpine sweetness. One of the better fresh hop ales available anywhere.