Forest Trail
Whitewater Brewing Company

At my lady Pamela's house; canned and chilled, 473mL in a pint glass. From their Adventure Collection boxset at my favourite LCBO at Tecumseh Mall in nearby Windsor. Date stamp illegible. My 7th beer from the Cobden, Ontario brewery, and 6th for 2025. With Sundae the cat...

473 mL can from the LCBO, included in Whitewater's winter mixed pack. Dated Oct 5 2023 and served slightly chilled.

Pours a hazy, translucent golden-yellow colour, sporting a two-finger cap of soapy, sparkling white head that is worn down to a bumpy half-inch cap over the next five minutes or so. A beautiful curtain of lace is left in its wake, as well - it's a very attractive glass of beer. It smells of freshly baked white bread, grapefruit and mango, with hints of floral, piney hops and berries.

Mellow, fruity flavour profile - malty notes of bread & oatmeal provide a sturdy scaffold, supporting a fruit cup-like flavour profile of pineapple, orange slices in syrup, mango and passion fruit. More floral on the back end, with some earthy bitterness added to the mix, concluding with a fruity aftertaste that lingers momentarily. Medium in body, with average carbonation levels that add a little bit of crispness to this pale ale's smooth, soft and slightly fluffy mouthfeel.

Final Grade: 3.81, a B+. I have literally nothing bad to say about Forest Trail, which is impressive for a can of pale ale that is nearing six months of age. Not especially bitter; the fruity hop flavours are still poppin', and the wheat/oat combo ensures a pleasing mouthfeel. This brew doesn't stand out or excel in any particular category, but it does all of the little things correctly, resulting in a solid all-'round pale ale that I'd happily drink again. Good job, Whitewater!

Jan 9 2024