Stag
There Does Not Exist

This is what I love to see in modern pale ales. If you like mosaic and/or the classic bite from simcoe then this is one to seek out.

Pale straw beer with a big white head, nose explodes with tropical berries and a minty herbal note. The taste follows in a sort of mirrored way with a bright citrus pith bitterness leading the charge and a perfect blueberry mosaic note balancing with an herbal bitterness at the tail end.

Endlessly drinkable. This is all I could ask for from a mosaic forward pale ale

Pours from a can with truly douche-y artwork, which tells me this is a pale ale with Mosaic and Simcoe hops. In the glass, it has a beautiful clear golden color with a craggled toad's eye head. Bubbles look small and tight rising through the glass. Attractive.

The nose is simple, and good. Pine, grapefruit, kerosene, and mango. The aroma doesn't leap from the glass like some beers in this style do, but when you dig it out, it is fresh and attractive.

Taste is of golden malt touched with guava-like perfume. The pine bitterness comes through, but it is muted. A bit of sweet powder/chalkiness also lingers on the tongue, which is a little distracting. This could be a touch drier and more bitter for me, but it's very drinkable.

Mouthfeel is very soft; I would have preferred a bit more carbonation here. But given the low ABV, I can understand the desire to not overcarbonate and make things harsh.

Overall, I'm always happy to see more beers like this on the market -- fresh, hoppy, and sessionable, and with some actual bitterness rather than just fruit. This doesn't try to be more than it is, and it delivers on what it claims to be. Recommended.

Type: 16-oz. can
Reviewed as: American Pale Ale
Glass: Pure Project 14-oz. snifter elemental (water) glass
Price: $3.99
From: Windmill Farms in Del Cerro (San Diego), Calif.
Purchased: March 25, 2022
Consumed: April 1, 2022
Misc.: Canned on Feb. 22, 2022

Grabbed a bunch of There Does Not Exist and Burgeon beers, and a few others on a recent trip to Windmill Farms. Untappd description was “STAG is our 100% Mosaic pale ale, built simply, with Pilsner malt, Mosaic hops, and zero funny business, pal. The Pilsner malt keeps the body light and lends just a touch of malt character to act as a backbone to the bags of Mosaic hops we threw in. Hopped hot side with Mosaic & then double dry hopped (DDH BRO!) with even more Mosaic the resultant pale ale is explosive with DANK aromas of feijoa, passion blossoms, blueberry, and hippie lettuce.” Sounded delicious.

Poured a medium yellow clear color with four fingers of rocky white head. Could see lots of bubbles coming up along the sides of the glass at different speeds. Almost perfect foamy lacing. Almost perfect foamy retention. (Sight - 4.75)

Smelled Mosaic, blueberry, bubblegum, floral, rose blossom, dank weed, grass, mango and red grapefruit. About as good from the can with the addition of earthy pilsner malt. (Smell - 4.25)

Taste was not nearly as good as the nose. In order got Mosaic, earthy pilsner malt, viney blueberry, rose blossom, floral, dank weed, dry grass, mango, bitter grapefruit peel and aspirin. (Taste - 3.75)

Medium body. Oily texture. Average-to-lively carbonation. Abrupt, earthy finish. (Feel - 4.00)

Probably liked this more than I should have. Might have overrated it slightly. (Overall - 4.00)

4.01 | 90 | A-

 

On tap at O’Shea Brewing Co. in San Juan Capistrano, CA.

I’m tripping a bit because I think they are currently playing Lifehouse… Ok, but ll try and compose myself here. Damn good. Like going to the kids house that had a trampoline when I was a kid, I’m stoked. It doesn’t taste like a watered down IPA like a lot of Pales do. It’s fuller than Dolly Parton after a trip to the plastic surgeon.

I…

 

Clear golden amber brew with plenty of foam in the New Belgium snifter. Light and watery body. Nose of pencil shavings. Overall this is kind of plain and austere. Taste is very dry, with a mineral sensation and herbal finish. Tastes more like a Lager that got an unexplained overdose of bittering hops. I hope for the best, but it doesn't improve with sipping. Described as a Mosaic Pale Ale. Dated 12/19/22, so it's plenty fresh. From the 16 oz can purchased at O'Shea's.

 

 

Packaged on 4/12/22 - consumed on 4/24/22. Poured from a tall-boy can into my Dogfish Head shaped pint glass.

Fairly clear amber-tinged Naples yellow liquid with two fingers of rocky ivory foam. Sticky, layered lacing; very good retention.

Herbal, slightly dank aromatics suggest chives, basil, and a hint of marijuana along with low citrus (orange) notes.

Dry, lightly malty palate entry with more of the nearly savory herbal hop notes for balance. Low but persistent bitterness. Dry finish with hints of orange peel. Borderline catty, but not unpleasant. Might have guessed Simcoe if I didn't know Mosaic is the star here...

Smooth, soft, light body with plenty of carbonation. Easy drinking.

Pretty good APA, though not the best value...