Fresh Hop Strata Pale Ale
Machine House Brewery

Slightly hazy golden color with enthusiastic foam in the Pilsner glass. Big grapefruit aroma. Very light mouthfeel with that resiny fresh hop taste. Not dated but this must be from last Fall, so it's not so fresh really, but it has that distinctive taste. It's plenty bitter but not excessive. For a lower-alcohol content brew it's quite flavorful, and maybe a little more of the gummy hops than it needs. Still, quite quafable. It they could delete most of the alcohol it would be the ideal NA IPA. From the 16 oz can purchased at the Community Coop market.

Poured into a Seattle Beer Week pint glass. Pours a hazy, light yellowish gold with a one finger white head that dissipates to a thick cap with light lacing. Aroma of biscuit and pale malt, citrus hops, lemon, grapefruit, celery and a hint of dankness. Flavor is pale malt, citrus and fruit hops, grapefruit, kiwi, lemon and a hint of mint in the finish; nice bitterness in the finish but also some astringency. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. A somewhat different fresh hop that has a quite subdued malt character, but one that seems to let the basic hop flavors be the dominate taste. Getting lots of fresh grapefruit and citrus, but not much dankness from the Strata hops. There is a spicy menthol component of the finish that is most reminiscent of mint, but not with any particular mint flavor. It does add to the fresh hop flavor quite nicely though. Decent flavor depth for a session style ale. Since it use Strata hops and a mild, not very biscuit malt, I'd call this an American pale ale rather than English. Refreshing and enjoyable.

Pours bright clear and gold; white head, settles quickly but never bare of white.

Nose is prominently hoppy; bright and zippy green herbal character; lightly floral and a little zesty, maybe a touch of melon; cantaloupe without the fruity sweetness; no malt really showing the fresh hops may just be masking it a bit I'd guess.

Taste is green and hoppy; call me crazy but there is something minty about it; earthy and resinous with green grass, zesty also comes to mind, some very light honey, neutral malt base that reminds me of dried out simple bread.

Light mouthfeel; smooth lower carbonation; soft but nice little sticky hop bite on the finish, there is a moderate but tame bitterness that lingers well into the aftertaste; quite a refreshing beer.

2024-10-02
16oz can served in a curvy Monhegan pint glass. Swirled a bit before pouring the last drops into my glass. No date on the can. Bought it about five days ago at Chuck's Hop Shop.

Pours a hazy paly yellow with a small (maybe a half centimeter), dense head. Smell is bright, vaguely fruity, somewhat resinous, lots of floral notes.

Taste is fresh hops and some dish water, lots of cut green leaves, a little herbal, some cask oxidation vibe. Honey and yeast roll sweetness.

Mouthfeel is on the lighter side, not quite watery, very dry, a little gritty. Overall...whatever it is that made me think "dish water" is the only real detractor for me, otherwise this is a lovely beer, but I can't ignore it.