Rear Admiral Lord Nelson Van Citra Winkle
Against The Grain Brewery & Smokehouse

 

 

 

 

Such a small beer with big aspirations- Against the Grain's "Session" IPA shows a burst of hop flavor, aroma and smooth bitterness from powerhouse hops of Citra and Nelson Sauvin varieties for big flavor that quickly moves the taste beyond the 3.3% strength.

Like any other well-built IPA would, RALNvCW (or, whatever) delivers a hazy golden body that breams with carbonated streams that allow it to look like champagne in its tall slender glass. But all those tiny bubbles (someone should write a song about those) rise to builds a light and airy cotton-like froth. Its longevity and sticky lacing patterns all point to an IPA done right.

Citrus and grain start the show as there's a faintly sweet scent that's lightly of honey and bread. But after that- all hops. Grapefruit, orange peels, light mango and pineapple seem dry and tart. As it warms a scent of musty lemons, white grape an and overall wine-like scent is playfully acidic and seemingly fragrant woodish.

Its taste is crisp and clean despite its shallow malt support is so thin that grain, husk, and yeasty sulfurs have no malt sweetness to hide them. Its raw and rustic taste is surprisingly naked and mellow. But as the hops build in, its lack of maltiness is quickly overlooked. That blend of citrus, tropical and 'herbaceous' flavors in the middle lead to a pleasantly grassy, light piney and acidic vinous tartness provides a refreshing bitterness to finish. Near the end, those wine notes begin to appear more gin-like, but skip the burn.

As expected, the beer's light body seems to evaporate right off the palate. Its ample carbonation pulls the dry malt structure from the palate effortlessly. Its drinkability comes easy as the beer continues to dry because of its resinous hop textures and yes, that meager alcohol minty sensation. Slight grain-derived astringency can be noticed, nestled right there inside the bitterness and is simply unavoidable at such low alcohol rates. But what the ale can avoid is 'watery' or 'thin' mouthfeel which is a big part of its charm.

There's a part of me that thinks that the beer has "little-man-syndrome" but its taste, aroma and texture needs no apology. It stands tall all on its own!