Thunderbolts and Lightning
Benchtop Brewing Company

A good brew from a style I haven' t had much of. Poured from a 16 oz. can into a pint glass, this beer featured a slightly hazy pale gold body with a small foamy white head. Head retention was good and there were patches of lacing on the glass. Aroma and taste featured maltiness with mild to moderate smoke and a touch of grassy hops in the finish. The smoke was much milder than the Scherlenkla smoked beers I had before, but still quite noticeable. Mouthfeel was medium bodied, crisp with some smokiness and a touch of bitterness. Went down very easily. A good choice as a session beer or with food.

When I added T&L, I hadn't tasted it. Now that I have, its smoke is very mild; certainly compared to its hops. So if someone wants to re-style T&L as a Czech Pilsner, that BA-er has my vote.

T&L Looks Pils-y pale, but its foam could stick around longer. I like the subtle smoke in my nose along with the malt. The hops introduce themselves at first sip and get stronger, only with a very faint and fleeting sweetness allowed in the finish. Medium-mouthed, OK bubbles. Drank this with soup at lunch and the hops were too strong to do that again.

I like Benchtop, although this is only my third from them. The other two were very enjoyable Belgian-inspired and I will stick with those. A Sante' !