Upper Reach
Glenmere Brewing Company

Upper Reach definitely challenges the definition of an APA style beer. The beer looks and somewhat tastes like a stout. It pours a dark amber to almost black color. Poured from draft tap into tall Pilsner glass. Light ringed head with minimal lacing. Again very stout or porter like. Carbonation is mild and it feels medium on the mouthfeel. The smell is a hint of malt and biscuit. This matches its front palate taste-- very malty and leaning on fresh bread with a hint of bitter chocolate nibs or coffee. Mid-palate is a lots of biscuit and a mild bitterness from the hops. Again very porter like. Cocoa and caramel linger. The back palate taste is bitter chocolate nibs, breakfast blend coffee, and malt balls. A slight bitterness lingers and it finishes on a dry note. Very little after taste. Super clean finish. Overall not what I would expect from an APA, but this lends towards an almost Imperial like heaviness that ends up being very clean. Lots of surprises, but very good overall. Definitely a fresh take on the style.