Chairman's Reserve
Comrade Brewing Company

 

not sure what the really low other rating is all about here, but i had this on tap at asbury provisions last night and it was excellent. i couldnt believe its clarity, lightness of color, and relative dryness for the style and this high abv, totally expected something big and dense and sticky and brassy colored, but this is lighter than that, shiny and minimal looking in the glass, and really is pretty soft and tidy on the palate, not at all the big bruiser i was anticipating, and i like its surprising stature a lot. crystal clear, short and lasting white head, aroma of sliced grapefruit and juniper, but not overly resinous and certainly not fruity in the modern overly dry hopped sense, instead its more west coast to me, slightly oily and bitter enough to finish, remarkably fresh, with an obvious hop brightness to it, subtle melon and pine when i taste it, and oddly balanced by this really light malt profile, holding up to the hops better than it looks like it should be able to. there is a pale barley thing, even almost a pils malt element, minerals and crackers and a crispness almost like a lager, crazy how light it is, no mid crystal in here at all it doesnt seem like, and i am left wondering where the heck all the alcohol hides, because i dont smell or taste it at all, even at temperature. impressive beer then, as much for the mouthfeel as for the flavor, this really is what comrade does best! scary drinkable!

C / AVERAGE