Hoptical Delusion II
Arbor Ales

A 500ml bottle with a BB of July 2013, so it's a little out of date. Acquired some time back from Trembling Madness in York. Found it lurking among some other bottles - entirely my fault for neglecting it. Described on the label as an unfiltered, unsettled beer that retains all the yeast and hop oils.

Poured into a tulip pint glass. Bottle conditioned. A very hazy golden-amber hue with plenty of chunky sediment and medium carbonation. The sediment had settled out to some degree. Yields a decent head of creamy white foam that lasts for a few minutes before reducing to a patchy surface layer. Aroma of restrained fruity hops with hints of citrus, white fruits and grass/hay. Underpinned by dry, earthy yeast, caramel malt and stewed hops. Quite nice but I suspect it has faded to a degree.

Tastes of fruity hops with a yeasty, bitter finish. Notes of subtle grapefruit, citrus, faint white grape, grass/hay, earthy yeast, caramel malt and stewed hops. Highly attenuated, with a twinge of harsh cardboard in the background. A strident bitterness upon swallowing. Mouthfeel is smooth, tingly and very dry, with decent carbonation and good body. Exceptionally astringent - dries the palate thoroughly. Aftertaste of bitter stewed hops, earthy yeast and faint fruity overtones.

Pretty good, although the character has faded. Looks OK, while the aroma and flavour have a reasonable hoppiness and an overbearing yeastiness. Body is alright but very dry. Still a drinkable brew, however not quite what it should have been. In spite of this, Arbor's talent remains evident. Worthy.

Poured from a 500ml bottle into a pint glass.

Pours an extremely cloudy looking orange/golden colour, with fairly good lacing and a nice head.

Smells very faint, grassy and overall fresh.

Tastes very fresh and hoppy - fruity, grassy, slight citrus. Soft bready malts, combining with the unfiltered and unsettled-ness of the beer to give a pretty wholesome mouthfeel.

Overall a really great approach to a pale ale.