Trooper
CREW Republic

 

 

 

 

Tall boy, cold, into a lager glass in Carcassone, France. Fine white photogenic foam on clear gold brew.
Nose is a loaf of grapefruit bread (!).
Taste has a wow factor - riney citrus, fine bitterness, malty, piney. Good expressive balance. Supurb with pizza!
Mouth is light and lively. Medium carbonation.
Overall, this is a right fine hoppy pale ale I thoroughly enjoyed. And there’s the Maiden connection, so +1.,.

 

L:
-pours a clear bright golden with a medium-to-big,foamy,white head
-medium carbonation visible
S:
-orange zest,grapefruit,mango,passionfruit
T:
-Follows the nose
-medium-to-high bitterniss
F:
-medium carbonation
-light-to-medium body
O:
A very good, tropical IPL for a really good price.

Pours a cloudy, golden amber coloration with a medium, fluffy head. Smells of doughy, slightly caramelly malt and citrus hops, with notes of grapefruit, as well some earthy accents and hints of pine. Taste is a great balance of doughy, slightly caramelly malt and fruity, slighty grassy, earthy and resinous hops, with citrus and lighter tropical notes of grapefruit and pineapple, as well as just a hint of pine. Finishes with a medium bitterness and some grapefruit and pine lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and carbonation.

I really enjoyed their Local Hero "Modern Hell" already, which fits that description perfectly. Although they still label this a "Helles", it kinda fits the their description of "Progressive Lager" much better, almost crossing over into India Pale Lager territory with its quite hoppy, fruity, bitter and slightly resinous flavor profile, although there are hints of grassy and earthy accents to this as well, with a slight caramel malt backbone as well. Crew Republic are very much presenting and marketing this in the vein of Arrogant Bastard, complete with the black can and cocky marketing blurb. And indeed, it does feel a little like "Arrogant Bastard Light" with that somewhat bitter and resinous flavor profile and light caramel backbone.