Bluegrass Bitter
Maiden City Brewing

Nice bitterness.

In a world of haze, don't be afraid to be bitter. Maiden City isn't afraid to go classic with an IPA that celebrates hop bitterness in a big way. Making IPA bitter again might be their campaign mission and this beer kicks it all off.

Light amber and held in a fine mesh haze, Bluegrass Bitter settles in the glass with a creamy ivory froth and a floral bouquet of citrus, herb, flowery potpourri and a hint of background sweetness in scent. That sweetness carries into a first sip of caramel, honey and light candied nuttiness.

As the malts give way to hops, the middle palate shifts queickly toward the fruity hop impressions that lead with red grapefruit, tangerine, pineapple and hints of mango, apricot and lemon peel. As the flavors trend more bitter, spicy and resinous, the beer eventually falls to the hops and their gripping citrus peel, pine and peppery hop flavors that grip the gullet and are slow to release.

Medium bodied and trending crisp, refreshing and mostly clean, the beer closes out with a sharp and grassy bitterness that outlasts any malt influence with ease. A vegetal hop-derived peppery bite is slightly off with an abundance of leaf and stem, yet still with a thirst quenching refreshment that lasts long and lean in aftertaste.