Hopped #7
Mallinsons Brewing Company

Had this one at the 4th annual Lititz cask beer festival.

A - Pours pale yellow with a small bubbly head leaving light lace down the glass.

S - Smells of bright simcoe hops, citric rind, fresh cut grass, and some light sweetness from the malt. This one is pretty damn hoppy.

T - Starts off with a big simcoe hop bite quickly giving way to a mix of light citric fruit and some very light sweetness. The hops are great but the thin feel washes them away far too quickly. The combo of light flavors, lots of hops, and low ABV make this one extremely easy to drink.

M - Light body and flavor with moderate carbonation. This one is way too thin for a beer like this but overall the feel is pretty good.

O - I liked this one. It had great flavors and with such a low ABV I could see myself drinking a few of these no problem. If the feel was a little better I think it could be really good.

 

On cask at Nerax North.
Pours a deep slightly cloudy golden color with a thin bubble of a white head. Smells of Hops, yum, and American hops at that. Incredible nose of citrus and pine with a hint of of bread if I squint and inhale really hard. Taste is moderately hoppy with more citrus and pine and little bready toffee like malt. Medium to thin body with and almost watery mouthfeel and a light level of carbonation. It was nice to find a bit of hops, and American at that. Unfortunately the body and malt profile are to small to balance this beer in any way. Decent beer but needs more umph.

General Sutter. Where else can I get such obscure bitters from a firkin? Love it! #7 is prodigiously hopped with Simcoe.

A: Guess what? It's pale. By a slim margin, #7 takes the cake as palest of the day. It's light yellow tint reminiscent of a macro lager (if only a macro lager could pack this much into a 3.8% body). A cola-like head of large bubbles is all that pops up.

S: The most fragrant by a long shot. The simcoe dry-hopping is intense, citrus fruit (and orange rind) really jumps out of the glass. Balance isn't an issue - all hops in this one. Very interesting to have an American aroma from a distinctly English ale.

T: Mmm, more hops, the simcoe addition has really left its mark on the bitter. Goodi in that I love hops, not so good in that it detracts from the balance of the ale. Citrus is strong initially but is quick to disappear. The ale, only 3.8%, is very thin. Not at all surprising though. Sign me up for more, that simcoe lead-in is worth it. Plus, 3.8%? Sick.

M: The mouthfeel is very thin, allowing the simcoe to disappear rather quickly. Plenty flavorful for being so small.

a: This was a clear, pale golden color. It was served to me with a small, big bubbled head.

s: Lots of fresh, grassy, citrusy hops and nice biscuity backround.

t: Mirrors the smell for the most part, but the hops don't come across quite as fresh in the flavor.

m: Nice, gently creamy carbonation.

o: To be honest I probably wouldn't have tried this had there been some American offerings at the Bulls Head's cask festival. Shame on me for my small British beer bigotry. I need to get past that.

Had from cask at Bull's Head Cask Festival in Letitz, PA.

A - golden in color with a faint ring of bubbles that disappeared rather quickly.

S - this beer smells pretty good. Lots of lemony citrus aromas. I love the simcoe dry hop.

T - man... If it could have tasted as good as it smelled. A decently bitter taste but pretty mild throughout. A little bit dry on the finish with this one.

M - light bodied and little to zero carbonation.

O - this one was one of my favorites at this cask fest. I could drink this all day at 3.8%.