D.P.A. (Desert Pale Ale)
Cartel Brewery

 

This is a really great beer from a great place. I had this before they split the company. It's got great malt character, nice and pale and doesn't get in the way of the hop flavor and agave syrup. Now days I wouldn't bother with a syrup flavored beer, but if you are - you should try this one.

Golden orange color. Beige head with lace all the way.

The agave jumps out right away. Then it is floral, earthy, and herbal. Big orange flavor. Citrusy.

Medium bodied. Sticky with some bitterness.

 

Solid local pale ale from Cartel. Not the best local one but still pretty damn good.

 

Poured a cloudy amber body, with light amounts of bubbles visible and a gorgeous, thick, mousse-like head. Overall impression of appearance is of a lovely IPA. Scents of floral hops, agave nectar, tropical fruit, vanilla, pine resin, caramel-like pale malt at moderate levels and light citrus notes. Overall impression of aroma is of a good IPA, with a nice compliment from the agave, creating a unique, yet familiar aroma. Flavor begins lightly bitter, with a nice floral hop quality, notes of grapefruit and citrus rind, notes of melon and a light sweetness of both pale malt and agave nectar. Middle is still lightly bitter, with further flavors of grapefruit flesh and rind, floral hops, light agave nectar and pine resin. Finish is dry with notes of pine resin, spicy and floral hops, light sweetness of pale malt and agave nectar and a moderate level of grapefruit zest and peel bitterness. Aftertaste begins with fresh grapefruit peel and adds some grainy malt as it sits. Overall impression of flavor is of a very good IPA, a bit standard, aided by the agave to be a bit more than normal. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium-light carbonation and a resinous, sticky, drying feel. Overall impression of mouthfeel is of a good IPA, true to style. Overall this is a nice pale ale. It has a good aroma, in fact the aroma is the best aspect of the beer as it showcases the agave best, and also a nice, if not a bit standard flavor and a very good mouthfeel. A good IPA, worth having.

Dry hops for days on this bad boy, it absolutely sings out of the glass, bright citrus/tropical notes and whiff of crackery malt. Well crafted malt backdrop keeps it real, but this is a helluva poster child for brightly hopped pale ales.

If you find yourself in Tempe, you should stop by this coffee shop/brewery off Ash. These guys are opening up the tap room but with limited hours. Slight haze, light in color, looks refreshing and leaves a nice lacing on the glass. The aroma is insane, quaffable and hops pouring out of the glass. Citra and cascasde rush your palate from the dry-hopping for a super CLEAN taste. Dry, bitter, resinous and little sweetness make this a great brew for a hop lover.

 

LIked it drier aftertaste good body