Sail To The Moon
Ethereal Brewing

 

 

 

Underneath the new and exotic hop flavors, the American pale ale has been revived from near death an now manifests with radiant hop aromas, juicy flavors and with a smooth hop-tilted balance that allows the hop bitterness to rest just above the drying malt. Ethereal's Citra pale ale sends the style certainly over the moon.

Pale orange and amber, the hazy beer crowns with a creamy white froth. Its radiant citrus laden aroma surrounds the nose with freshly zested citrus, tropical and a light herbal grassiness. Its malty taste layers on the tongue with light caramel, honey and a hint of granola.

As the moderate malt sweetness stays firm across the middle, the perfumy hops turn succulent and juicy on the tastebuds. Branch ripened tangerine, light lemon and red grapefruit apply a fruity citrus impression on the session. Apricot and mango add a tropical complexity before a medium bitterness of lemon verbena, fresh grass clippings, fragrant pine and an overall sassafras tea-like finish.

Medium bodied and semidry, the beer's lighter malt departs from traditional American pale ales and allows the hops to shine a little brighter. Not exactly an IPA-light, its taste is simply an updated taste of pale ale. A medium length aftertaste of both hops and malt create a slightly hop dominant after glow.