Mallet
Nepenthe Brewing Co.

 

 

 

A phenomenal light lager, pours beautifully clear golden with a one inch+ white head & subtle effervescent bubbles from the can. Light biscuit malt smooth & clean grain.

 

 

Poured from a 12 oz. can. Has a yellow color with a 1 inch head. Smell is of grains, lemons. Taste is clean, follows the aroma, highly refreshing. Feels medium bodied on the mouth and overall is a solid beer.

Well it is a rainy weekend in fall and I was in the mood to try something new so this is what presented itself, although I am not really a fan of crabs myself. Solid basic look, with limited staying power in the head and a grainy, corny nose. Flavor stays together pretty well, and emulates the easy drinking of a PBR or Natty Boh while also presenting a better grain profile and cleaner, tastier finish. A solid option while slumming it at a ball game or tailgate.

Appearance: Bright gold, average size white head, sparce lacing.
Aroma: Grainy, a bit musty, light floral/herbal hops.
Taste: Modest sweetness, slightly vegetal, muted bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Decently carbonated, light-to-medium bodied.
Overall: An inoffensive, fairly simple, easy drinker when you're in the mood for a lager.

Setting the bar a bit high with this one. Definitely not a lot of "bells and whistles," in terms of profile, but a wonderfully solid, drinkable beer from a phenomenal local (Baltimore) brewery. We here in Maryland are notorious for love of our flag (yes, the flag) and our State crustacean: Blue Crabs. And what's better with crabs than beer? And this one is perfect. Clear gold in the glass with beautifully visible (yet subtle) carbonation, nice foamy head, a clean, fresh malty scent with a slightly sweet (at first) flavor that mellows to a rich biscuity malt, with a hint of bitterness at the end. Not hoppy and not thick and malty. And definitely not a light beer. This is perfect with crabs. And with a 4.3 ABV, enjoy a few with the Old Bay. Another winner from Nepenthe.