Idlewild Vol. 1
Mile Wide Beer Co.

 

 

 

a much better than average sort of new school pale ale, great beer, and an all day drinker for me if it were available out this way. really light pale malt base is almost inconsequential to the overall beer. its light and dry and stays well out of the way. i can taste each of these hops uniquely in this, and appreciate what they contribute individually. the centennial offers its classic slightly piney, milled lumber woody character, while the mosaic had a classic pineapple and citrus tropicality, and the equinox gives it that juiciness thats so attractive to everyone right now. i like that its still plenty bitter, not over the top on the dry hop at the expense of hop flavor or feel, and that makes this a pretty complete and dialed in beer, simple as it is. crisp in the finish, not oily or sticky from all the hops at all, and really well carbonated. perfect abv for the style too, makes for a nice long session. my first from these guys is a real winner. not overly different but honest and high quality. nicely done guys!

 

 

Fitting like a glove for the tastebuds, Mile Wide's Idlewild series mixes and matches hop profiles for unique combinations of taste on a friendly, effortless pale malt base. Centennial, Equinox and Mosaic hop varieties adorn Volume 1 with a little something old, a little something new, and a little something craved.

The pale golden ale casts a hint of honey amber agains the glass while a frothy, arid froth begins to build. Light and lacy, the scent billows onto the nose with spicy, tropical, herbal and citrus perfumes. Its taste is supple and sweet, lightly toasty and nutty, seeming of light granola as a kiss of honey soothes the tip of the tongue.

But after those brief introductions, the sweetness drifts and the hop flavors begin to build. Pink grapefruit, orange peel and a hint of lemon roll onto the middle palate; followed by passionfruit, kiwi and honeydew. A trailing herbal spiciness is of chive, fresh grass clippings and gentle waft of bitter hemp.

Dry, crisp and clean, the beer's hop tilt gives IPA lovers something to crave even as its bitterness never reaches IPA apexes. Remaining malts give a linger of honey and caramel to a malty-dry finish. A medium length undercurrent of lemon grass and tropical fruit rinds join the bitterness for the short while.