Firecracker Pale Ale
Carolina Brewery

 

 

 

 

 

I had some paperwork to do so I stopped in to use the wi-fi access here and to have a beer. I tasted two of the pale ales and one IPA and this one seemed to be the best of the bunch. That isnt really saying anything, but...

Pours clear and dark golden in color with a minimal white head that easily and hasitly recedes into a small ring around the outer edges of the beverage. Small pieces of lacing resemble just-washed-dishes.

Aroma was quite lacking and was overall just "beery". Not much in the way of hops aroma, or even malt aroma; just beer.

Flavor profile was slightly better thatn the aroma. It was a little grainy but I actually like graininess in beer. The bitterness is pretty hefty toward the finish with light maltiness, almost pilsner like.

Finishes bitter and really clean. Quite refreshing. Carbonation was really nice as well. Overall, not bad. This one leans toward the no-malt-hop-bomb end of the spectrum, which is the side of the scale to which I lean. Enjoyable if a little rough around the edges.

Pours straight gold with a one-finger head, decent retention, and good lacing.

Big fruity citrus nose. Grapefruit dominates.

Grapefruit hits the tongue early, some lemon present as well. Nice malt balance offsets the hops to some degree. Nice dry hop finish.

Mouthfeel is right on par with expectations for the style.

Very nice.