17-7 Pale Ale
Castle Danger Brewery

Pours a clear golden-orange in color, topped with a pale tan head of average duration. Good clarity, average carbonation, fair bit of lacing along the edge of the glass.

Decent American hop profile on the nose -- nothing too special, but for what it is it's just slightly above average for the style; Light grapefruit and tropical fruit. Very neutral otherwise (which is good).

Sweet, juicy malt up-front, with more of the fruity and citric hop character taking it all the way home to the end of the drink. Carbonation is lightly-scrubbing and moves the beer across the palate, and a pleasant bitterness follows along at its own pace.

Lighter biscuit-like malt tones and bitterness are what lingers into the second sip. Dry, but not bracingly-dry. Balance between up-front sweetness and drier, toastier finish is noteworthy, and this is well situated in the range of classic national or regional APA examples such as Sierra Nevada, or Summit EPA. Bitterness is shy in the beginning, but is a bit more assertive than many in the end.

Drinkability and mouthfeel is very, very good. Lighter in body and a bit stronger than the average APA of the classic Microbrew era, but it strikes me as being made in the spirit of a session-style pale ale. If they could dial it back just a bit in the alcohol department, it would be the perfect "session" beer.

This one is much better than I had expected it to be. Now, if only they'd make a Pilsner!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a nice, quality ale. Not too hoppy, not too malty, just a perfect combination of citrus and bitter. The beer glows with a nice and warm orange-amber, and has a quickly dissipating head. it feels quite nice in your mouth as well, it sits quite nicely in your mouth. Overall, I think the color and look of this beer is so appealing; it's that sunburst that is the same color as the can.

Pours a moderately clear, medium, pale orange color with a large, clingy head. SRM of 11. (3.75)

Aroma: Relatively strong aromas of orange and grapefruit citrus. Then pineapple. A berry and pine bitterness. A strong amount of citrus flower. (4.00)

Flavor: Flavors follow with tangerine and grapefruit citrus. Mostly citrus. Some pineapple. Then a caramel pine flavor and a decent malt balance. (4.00)

Feel: Medium-bodied. Average carbonation. Finishes balanced and relatively clean. (3.75)

Compared to SN Pale Ale: A slightly lighter orange color. Strong aromas of citrus, pine, caramel. Less peach suds. Leans hoppier and fruitier and more flavorful. I think this one fits a more modern palate than SN.

Overall: A very nice drinking pale ale. It has nice citrus, pine, and caramel flavors. Reminds me of a west-coast pale ale. Nice flavors here. Better than I was expecting. Fits a modern palate by being flavorful. (Final Rating: 3.91)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pours a slightly cloudy orangish amber with a thick white head that lingers and leaves nice lacing. Aroma is citrusy and lightly dank. Flavor is a nice blend of citrusy hops and caramel malt. Feel is medium bodied with good carbonation. Overall a decent local brew.