Teenage Riot
Notch Brewing

The New England pale ales citrusy hoppy style and Notchs talent for making low alcohol beers mix very well. It's not quite the full bitter assault that is a NEIPA, which helps the citrusy flavors stand out more, but you still get that hoppy tingle on the tongue that I love from an IPA.

 

 

Poured from a 32 oz crowler into a mug.

Pours a hazy burnt orange color with 2 fingers of effervescent off-white head. The head is gone in a hurry, leaving a few random splotches of lacing as it settles into a thin layer of foam.

The aroma brings notes of fresh grapes, white wine, candied citrus, and bready malt. There's a faint hint of herbal dankness on the back.

The flavor brings loads of grapes and white wine, as well as some musty melon notes and plenty of sweet citrus. The back end is full of dry, crackery malt with a subtly grassy finish.

The feel is medium light with moderate carbonation. Very smooth and exceptionally dry. On point.

Overall, a great pale ale that is full of delicious hoppy goodness yet remains balanced and stupidly drinkable. Would crush again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think this is my first go with a beer featuring Hallertau - neat hop. Knowing little about what to expect, this seems like a great vehicle for it.

Pours a nice, opaque orange - sort of ripening mango color, with a lively, quickly dissipating head. Very little aroma to speak of, but what is there is nice; gently herbal, a little concentrated orange juice. Very nice leading flavor - bright but quiet oranges, some white wine in steel, a slight greenery at the back. Crisp, lip-smacking finish. Great creamy texture coming from a quart can, substantial beer, but refreshing and easy to gulp down. I really like this. True to Notch's style, I feel like I could drink three or four pints over an afternoon or evening. Another really strong beer from them. I really recommend it.

 

 

Got the dang Sonic Youth song stuck in my head now. Advertised as a single-hopped APA made with Hallertau Blanc, which I had never heard of before. Apparently it's new--a German hop made to taste like an America hop. So okay.

Liter mug on tap at the brewery. Pours a bright, bold orange with a fluffy white head.

Smells light and crisp, like most of Notch's stuff, with strong nodes of white wine and grape must. As it warms, some slightly herbal nodes come into the fore, but it remains pretty straightforward throughout.

Tastes sweet and fruity up front, dryer and more herbal in the back. This is clearly a hop variety I've never before encountered, but unlike some other newer hop varieties (Sorachi Ace comes to mind), it does not take me a while to get used to it.