Triple Hop #7
Arbor Ales

A 500ml bottle with a BB of Oct 2013, so it's a little out of date. This one managed to get lost in my fridge. Originally picked up from Trembling Madness in York. The label describes it as a golden session ale hopped with three varieties: Cascade, Centennial and Columbus.

Poured into a tulip pint glass. Bottle conditioned. A hazy golden-amber hue with fine sediment and light carbonation. Yields a large head of frothy white foam that lasts for a few minutes before subsiding to a patchy surface layer. Some lacing. Aroma of intensely fruity hops with hints of orange peel, lime/lemon, citrus, pineapple, tropical fruit, white grapes and grass. Underpinned by sweet caramel malt and earthy yeast. Delicious.

Tastes of fruity aromatic hops and earthy yeast, with a dry, bitter finish. Notes of lime, grapefruit, peel, citrus, tropical fruit, white grape, mild pine, grass/hay, earthy yeast, caramel malt and stewed hops. Well-attenuated, followed by a lingering hoppy bitterness upon swallowing. Mouthfeel is smooth, tingly and dry - hop oils tickle the tastebuds. Possesses pleasant carbonation and good body. Rather astringent, accompanied by an aftertaste of fruity aromatic hops, leafy bitterness and dry yeast.

Tasty, though the hops are perhaps not as vibrant as they could have been. It looks good, while the aroma and flavour are seriously fruity - plenty of citrus and yeast in evidence. Decent body. Another hop-filled offering from Arbor - these brewers know their craft. Well worth a punt if you come across it.