Prime In
Bear Island Brewing Company

Crowler from brewery. Deep golden body, what little bit of head it has disappears. Aroma is bready malts, a little caramel, a little grass. Taste mimics the aroma, malty, caramel. Dry with an abrupt finish.

surprised to see an unimpressed reviewer of this one, i thought this was both excellent and distinctive, and a fine continuation of the high quality we have come to expect at bear island, this is a nice modern pale, with a sort of new zealand type hop complexion, clear and very minimal on the grain side, just a pale barley base and a mellow one at that. i wish they said which hops are in here, could easily be something from new zealand, but could also be a noble saaz or hallertau in a dry hopping context. i get some citrus notes here, light tangerine, but i also get green grape and kiwi fruit, fresh, clean, and all pretty subtle and mild, but distinctive as a pale ale goes, with just the right amount of finishing bitterness, this is well restrained and simple in a way that exposes its fine quality, i appreciate the less is more approach to the style more than ever these days, and this is why. super drinkable, brilliantly carbonated, and appealing in any weather i reckon. its easy to get excited about the seasonals and one offs they do in here, but i have to remind myself to not overlook their core beers, all of them are really good, this pale included. seems they are still flying under the radar a bit, but i think they make some of the better beer in town...

16oz crowler from the brewery, cracked within two days of receiving and poured into an IPA nonic; clear gold pour with fluffy white head, good carbonation; effervescent lemon; doughy malt; soapy lavender; underlying citrus zest; crisp; clean; refreshing; drinkable and light. Nothing special, just a nice Pale Ale.