FestivAle '05 - '06
Empyrean Brewing Company

Serving type is skewed...sampled from a bottle that was filled by a growler...I don't know if it can be considered "bottled", so I'll go out on a limb and call it a growler tasting. Poured at 49 degrees.

A - Pours a clear orangish-brown with a small head that leaves no lacing around the glass.

S - Some earthy/piney notes in the background of an alcohol-dominated aroma.

T - Again, alcohol domintes the taste, but it is met by grassy hops that linger on the tongue. When the warming feeling kicks in, I get a very good mix of spices. I really enjoy how the hops are the background in this IPA.

M - Thin-to-medium body with little carbonation, but I think that has to do with the tap-to-growler-to-bottle transfer.

D - Very enjoyable...I really like how it differs from other seasonal offerings. Oh I almost forgot - I picked this up in a trade from swid...thanks a lot!

Tried this at Lazlo's in Lincoln. Golden to yellow color with good carbonation and a fleeting head. Not much odor. Bitter, hoppy taste with some citrus undertones. Exciting mouthfeel. Very good drinkability, I chose to fill my pint glass with this several times.

Tawny amber with an ample frothy head. Nice sticky lacing. Aromas of grapefruit and biscuity malts, pine sap and bergamot. The taste is right there in line with the nose: bold juicy grapefruit and slightly piney hops with a marvellous toasted biscuit malt balance. Medium bodied and juicy mouthfeel with an incredible drinkability. Not as hoppy as fresh Celebration, but kind of like its kid cousin from the Midwest. An outstanding, wonderful surprise from Empyrean. I consumed several pints of this fine brew during my visit to family in Nebraska last week. A real feather in Empyrean's cap -- something I'd like to see as a regular offering. They seem to be doing a good job keeping Nebraska's beer palate at a sophisticated level, and I believe this one would sell great in bottles.