Fault Line Imperial Pale Ale
Hired Hand Brewing Co.

Poured from a can, this Imperial Pale Ale begins in a massive froth, and settles slowly into an opaque mango-colored body. There is some minor lace splotches around the glass. There is an intense mango taste along with a mildly bitter aftertaste that does not linger on the tongue. Subtle fruity nose is there, as well. This is a high abv (8%) craft that does not invite more than one pint. Hired Hand is a decent small batch brewery located a block off the main street in Vergennes, a homey little Vermont town, ten minutes away from Middlebury. Very pleasant quaff to be had here.

 

Two plus fingers of cream white head, surface pocked by larger bubbles for some time, retention is very good, lacing tends towards large detached splotches. Full on apricot puree haze to the liquid. Malty nose with loads of breadiness and doughiness, solid citrus presence as well, floral until it turns to mintiness, that breadiness tends to cloak the peach, apricot, guava fruit scents. Full-bodied, the powerful carbonation wastes no time in pushing it outwards across the palate. Once the foaminess subsides it's more cracker and pie crust than raw dough and just a kiss of grassiness. On the back end that curious mintiness appears again. Same fruit array, nothing unduly sour or bitingly tropical. Tangerine to blood orange citrus. The carbonated fluffiness lessens its freshness and cleanliness but in turn it probably lengthens things. Interesting beer, will confess not sure what an "Imperial Pale Ale" is supposed to deliver.