Salvaged Pallets
Refined Fool Brewing Co.

Bomber from the brewery; no packaging date. Served slightly chilled.

Pours a cloudy golden-apricot colour, its body rife with fluffy clumps of sediment that I will attribute to the mango. A modest half-inch layer of soapy suds rises from the surface, then collapses within ninety seconds or so; a tight collar is the only remnant of note. Mango, orange and grapefruit on the nose, with a hint of pineapple - pretty basic, but no complaints otherwise.

This is a mellow, fruit-forward IPA with very low bitterness: big mango flavour at the forefront, joined by hints of peach, orange and pineapple. Not a lot of development beyond that - the mango doesn't lose much steam, lasting to the finish and into a slightly sweet, grainy, tropical fruit-y aftertaste. Medium in body, with average carbonation that adds some bite to this brew's smooth, soft, somewhat pillowy mouthfeel. The low bitterness, appealing flavour and lack of any discernible alcohol combine for one helluva quaffable pale ale.

Final Grade: 3.81, a B+. Salvaged Pallets is merely passable as an IPA, but what it really excels at is showing off its mango flavour. That also means this won't be every hophead's cup of tea, but I suppose that's the case with any fruited pale ale - in any event, it'll surely satisfy the mango lovers. Nicely done, a little tweak here or there, and this could make a splash next spring/summer in one of their IPA Fun Boxes.