ADHA 483 Experimental Pale
Haymarket Beer Co. Pub & Brewery

 

 

 

 

On-tap at Haymarket. Served in a 5oz taster.

A - White foam settles to a partial cap, thick collar, and splotches of lace. Transparent golden body.

S - Aroma is heavy on the citrus, with some light cattiness to it as well. The experimental hop reminds me of Centennial, and doesn't seem overly experimental at all. Some icing sugar malt sweetness rounds things out.

T - The taste isn't as good; hops are earthier and less fruity, although there's only light lingering bitterness. Malt seems more crackery, with less of the aforementioned sweetness.

M - Medium body, moderate carbonation, light dry finish, no obvious alcohol as you'd expect.

D - Not bad, but nothing special either. If the purpose of the "experimental" hop is to function as a recipe alternative, than perhaps it could be considered successful, but as a 'new' hop it's not very exciting. The beer itself was drinkable but not particularly exciting.

 

Served in a chalice at the brewpub.

Bachelor Party-Palooza 2013 continues to rock the house at Haymarket, 'cause why bother leaving just yet? This stuff pours a mostly clear pale brass topped by a finger of lightly off-white foam. The nose comprises light biscuit, sweet flowers, sweetgrass, and a touch of sweet melon (think of a hybrid watermelon/honeydew). Suffice it to say, the hops give forth a general sweetness. The taste brings in more of the same, with the melon-ness of the hops really coming through, along with a strong vein of grassiness. Still, the biscuit holds firm, allowing a vague balance to pervade. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a fairly dry finish. Overall, a pretty nice little pale ale, one that makes me wanna see these hops elsewhere, even in greater abundance.

 

 

 

 

you would think this would be an exceptional format to show off what this new variety is capable of, but for me, it was lackluster. the pour was nice enough, a little hazy with a robust white head with nice lacing. however, the nose and taste of this beer were very familiar, like a hop that's already out there. it was very mild, not particularly citric or fruity or oily or bitter. maybe its the quantity added that's too small, but maybe its the hop itself. seemed almost like an English or german style hop rather than another west coast alpha bomb. maybe my palate was on the fritz after the mathias imperial ipa, but this just seemed to be missing anything that would make me want to brew with it. the pale ale itself though was pretty good, balanced and bright, with super carbonation and a drinkably medium body and a clean finish. I will have to look out for this hop again, but for now its in the question mark column.