Neptune's Dagger
Armada Brewing

 

It's nice to see a current American ale poured out from a pint can without it causing a huge white foamy head. A normal pour into a clear glass liter mug, even at room temperature, produced only a slight head, most of which didn't last long. That's still preferable to an overly starched pile of fluff. Nothing stands out to the nose, just a vague, but pleasant blend of malt and hops, with a hint of yeast. First noticed is the carbonation. This isn't nearly headless for the lack of it. There certainly is a liveliness to it as it crosses the tongue. The color is a tarnished golden amber and it's cloudy, rather than murky. Overall, the taste is mild, which is just fine for an American Pale Ale. By virtue of the style, this shouldn't be a hopfest, nor a fruitlike combination of starched, sweetened and muted hops. If judged for what it strives to be and what it is, this approaches excellence. Of course, it's not a heavy hitter, but it delivers a nice, somewhat piney hop dose in modest measure. It comes in a moderately, albeit a little light, malty medium. No, this isn't something to rave about, but it's one pleasant pint of beer.

 

16oz can no date
Light haze fast fading head melon and tropical notes
Finish with Carmel note
Nice easy drinking hazy pale ale

 

 

 

 

A moderate pour from a 16-oz. can yields a finger of off-white creamy foam with long retention and sliding spots of lace.
Very hazy yellow-straw color, adding the dregs makes it cloudy. I can barely see my fingers in front of my laptop screen.

Lemon greets the nose (juice and zest) with some funky wet grass, pineapple and biscuit. Hop aroma is on the lighter side, citrus and herbal. Pale malt is noticeable as well as a slight cardboard smell, alcohol is well hidden.

Mild taste at first, neutral on sweetness with a spicy and peppery bitterness that builds throughout the drink.
Malt stands out with toasted wheat added in. Not as lemony, a general citrus flavor with orange and lime emerges.
The finish is quick and semi-dry, typical of an APA. The aftertaste is long with bitterness at a high level, white pepper and citrus linger.

Medium light bodied with lasting carbonation, smooth and session-able. A New England style APA that is not too juicy or murky, this Beer will likely benefit from the upcoming NEAPA style. Can has the ABV as 5.2%, not 5%.

Can code but no date
Pours a med fizzy frothy head with med-low retention, no lacing, very hazy med orange color

Nose brings citrus, a little grapefruit, light cantaloupe ,generic melon and a hint of pine and zest, a mild sweet malt and candy citrus notes

Taste brings more citrus and generic fruit, a little generic melon and cantaloupe again, tangerine, touch of apricot and a little citrus pith, hint of pine late, some sweet malt, a bit more candy citrus and marmalade notes, touch of bitterness, dry finish, little creamy and some mild chalky minerals

Mouth is med bod, light foamy carb, soft creamy

Overall OK but not that good, not really an APA at all, much more like a lighter NEIPA which is def not what I wanted

Not my favorite style. Often Pale Ales have an emphasis on carbonation and a hoppy finish. Good beer, with some fruit, earthy, and an emphasis on the carbonation, and hoppy finish.

 

 

 

 

A: cloudy; pale gold in color; 1 finger ivory head that receded to a wispy cap; nice lacing;

S: grapefruit with a hint of orange;

T: nicely balanced between grapefruit and a solid light malt backbone;

M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish; soft;

O: nicely done, but it doesn't stand apart from many other NE APAs;

Picked-up a four-pack of cans at Kappy's in Norwell for about fourteen dollars. Have never heard of this brewery before. Very tasty brew, looking forward to trying their other brews.

Tropical fruit and some dank hops on the nose. Bigger mouthfeel than other comparable pales, slightly oily. Lots of citrus, light tropical fruits start the party off, followed by grapefruit rind bitter and light hop dankness to round it out. Another great beer from Armada!