Burton-On-Holt
The Civil Life Brewing Company

I love a good English Ale, and this one surpasses the mark. It pours a clear, but very dark, rich mahogany color with a slim, wispy, off-white head. The aroma is incredible...roasted caramel notes, a bit of light-roast coffee, biscuit and toffee. The taste has a firm bitterness that mixes well with a solid malt taste and a hint of caramel. Medium firm in body. It dries out by the finish and has a lingering hop flavor. Overall, this one hits the mark exactly for what it intended. Wonderful!

 

 

Had on tap. Haven't had a ton of Burton Ales, but from what I have I think CL nailed this! Very dark brown cloudy body, cream colored head and tons of lacing. Smell has contrasting sweet caramel malt and candied orange with an earthy yeast, woodsy hops and robust biscuit. Taste has the biscuit switch over to team sweet, joining the candied orange, big caramel malts, slight marzipan, and oxidized sugar before the sneaky robust yeast cuts through once or twice by the end of the sip, leaving impression of wood root, tobacco and leafy hops. Feel is dynamic, with yeast and hops moving around the palate through the sip, warming and malty otherwise, sneaky earthy. Impressed by this one

 

 

Light brown to amber in color with a fingernail of off white to beige on top. The aroma is of caramel and toasted nuts. I taste caramel, marzipan, and toffee. The mouth is light and crisp.

 

 

On tap. Poured out a clear, golden brown color with a small, tan head of foam. It smelled of butterscotch, toffee and caramel. Very sweet, candy-like taste. I couldn't place what type of candy but it was very sweet.

 

As inspiration for craft brewers coming all forms, The Civil Life brewers grow forward by reaching back. The roots of pale ale may be set in England but the style's future is in the hands of capable brewers like these.

Burton-on-Holt pours a sturdy garnet red with bronzen depth though its center. As a cottony swath of foam builds, bringing the ale's aroma to life. Floral, citrusy and woodsy scents mingle with those of caramel, toffee and toast. Its first sip is bold yet delicate with a biscuity-sweet taste that's woven together with caramel, toffee, nutty, toasty and crusted-type savory flavor.

Once the ale coddles the middle palate, its strikingly well balance flavor trends hoppy with the broad and woodsy bitterness of noble British hops with hints of orange peel, pine and a fresh grassy character. Understated complexities of fruity marmalade and fresh-pulled tobacco round out a finish where a tinge of coffee and cocoa live.

Medium through and through, the beer's body is firm but drying. Even as the malts play a large role in the beer's fleeting taste, its malty-dry behavior is just as charming as authentic varieties of Burton-on-Trent. A balanced aftertaste of biscuit and mint play on with a mild ironside crispness.