Hoptimism
Maisel & Friends

Pours a cloudy, deep amber coloration with a medium, fluffy head and slightly visible carbonation. Smells of bready, caramel malt and citrus hops, with notes of grapefruit and just a hint of pine, as well as light herbal accents. Taste follows the nose, with a great balance of bready, caramel malt and bitter, herbal, resinous hops, with fruity citrus and lighter tropical notes of grapefruit, orange rind and pineapple, as well as some pine also coming through. Finishes with a medium bitterness and some grapefruit and pine lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and carbonation.

This makes for a very nice West Coast Pale Ale with its bitter, resinous character and medium malt backbone, with a great balance of lightly sweet and bitter elements accompanied by notes of citrus, tropical accents and pine. This is a bit bolder than their regular Pale Ale, with a distinct West Coast vibe to it, but perhaps not quite as mellow and elegantly balanced. Personally, I think I still like it better, but that's a matter of taste. In any case, a well-deserved win in their homebrewing competition, I reckon.