Back On Track
Ethereal Brewing

So many beer styles have undergone major updates in recent years. But some beer styles seem to have been unchanged and are in danger of being abandoned by the craft beer community. And one of those are among America’s most indigenous and original styles - the Steam Beer.

But not in the capable hands of Ethereal Brewing as they give their Back On Track California Common Ale an update that starts with a light copper hue and largely clear. As a light and airy ivory head builds upon the rim, a brisk scent of floral arrangements meets a toasted cereal perfume of granola. Steely caramel maltiness greets the tongue with hints of honey, toast and nuttiness.

Then as the light ale rolls across the middle palate, the balance slowly shifts from a malty dry caramelization to a hop filled flavor of grapefruit, stone fruit and spruce. Trending slightly more bitter than sweet, the ale is remiss of American Pale Ale in balance, yet drier and spicier in its sharp and resin out finish.

Medium light and carrying a woodsy, spicy taste through its finish, the beer’s aftertaste is shy of graham cracker with a light stemmy, leafy and peppery tannin quality from hops. Its a much more floral and slightly hop balanced version of the Steam Beer that we’ve grown to love. …and then forgot about.