Brau Light Ale
Brau Brothers Brewing Co.

Pours a brilliant golden amber in color, topped with an off white head of average duration and minimal lacing. The nose expresses an engaging blend of malt characteristics - biscuity and somewhat bready, with light roast and smoke characteristics. Lightly floral hop presence here. Some fruit, although the character is somewhat indistinct. Semi-sweet at first sip, and almost like a 'small' version of the Pale Ale. Yet on closer inspection this has a juicy, mildly fruity (light golden apple) nature with great malt textures interwoven. This one is all about the malt character, and is equal parts sweet crystal malt (marzipan) and biscuity pale malt, along with an echo of the lightly smokey character exhibited in the nose. There's some light nuttiness here too, with cashew and almond. At mid-palate the semi-sweet character becomes tangy, and is followed by a pronounced bitterness and a lightly citric bite. Although this brew is lighter in body it doesn't feel like a "lite" beer at all, but drinks more convincingly as a mild session ale. Smooth and very drinkable, and with a very light alcohol presence. With a bit more hop bite and aromatics on the nose this would make for a decent bitter, but it's quite nice as it is.

Note on the name: After consulting with Brewer Dustin Brau he confirmed that this release was brewed using an English yeast strain and states that it was brewed to test the waters for a lighter ale. As the initial response has been good, the Brau Brothers are looking to incorporate this one as a seasonal. Personally I wouldn't mind seeing it bottled at some point: it works for the style and besides, how many great tasting low calorie ales are there? This one clocks in at under 120 calories! Very solid - great work!

[Served chilled, in a shaker pint.]