Cloud Candy (Mandarina Bavaria)
Ethereal Brewing

As the constant forecast at Ethereal Brewing calls for a hundred percent chance of haze, this fog of hops drift across the beerscape with the allure of Mandarina Bavaria hops and all their orange, fruity, spicy glory.

Pouring with the haze of egg beaters, the turbid Cloud Candy (Mandarina Bavaria version) carries a creamy white meringue upon a matte golden yellow base. A host of tangy under ripened citrus carries a slightly pastry sweet scent into a bouquet of spice, pepper and grassiness. Cereal sweetness provides a malty buffer on the tongue with the slight toastiness of grilled poundcake, honey and dough leading the way.

As the middle palate unfolds, the linger of malt is gradual while the growth of hops brings a racy character of orange, white grapefruit, light lemon and lime, gooseberry and kiwi. As the bitterness sets in, the tastebuds are graced with a herbal, grassy and leafy balance to take an edge off of the lingering malt sweetness but without rivaling the established fruit or aromatic rewards of the ale. Its smooth late palate invites a botanical taste of white wine, parsley and lemongrass.

Medium bodied throughout, the efforts of hop resins and pastry malts balance each other beautifully while allowing the strong fruit impressions of Mandarina Bavaria hops to steal the show. A candied hop character brings hints of lemon pepper and floral basil to an extended finish long, spicy aftertaste.