Dead Reckoning
Upper Thames Brewing Company

 

May 24 2026

Appearance: Poured with a thumb's worth of frothy head that both laced and retained modestly well. The body is a opaque orange with brown notes when you put it up to the light. It's hard to make out, but that carbonation looks thin but very aggressive.

Smell: The unmistakable smell of cascade hops dominate the nose with citrus notes with a background of apple and pear with a hunt of earth. Warming doesn't really help bring out the nose very much as the potency is the weakness to this one.

Taste: Starts with an orange citrus mixed with bready malt that turns to a slight apple note before a punch of leafy and earthy hops takes over. The hops are clearly the showcase here, as the malt is really an afterthought. It's really a hop showcase, and while the potency never gets to IPA levels, it's not something I particularly enjoy.

Mouthfeel: The carbonation is solid, but aggressive, as the hops march up front as a result in every aspect of the beer, where a bit more mild carbonation might have mellowed it out a bit more. The aftertaste is a dry earth and citrus aftertaste clings somewhat but doesn't get out of control. Also the transistioning dances between medium, to mild to harsh. Realistically if it wasn't so hop focussed I think it would be a lot better.

Drinkability: The cling and the dryness hamstrings it's potential. It's on the heavier side of medium body which isn't something I usually find in a pale ale, so that was interesting. It settles down well enough, and it did appear engaging, even if it wasn't my thing.

Final Thoughts: I do enjoy a good pale ale, but usually there is a malt and mineral presence that just isn't here. That said, I know this has an appeal to some of the more hop inclined as it was a good milder showcase. It's just not my thing.