Hoppy Balboa The Ryetalian Stallion
Midnight Owl Brewing Company

 

Having this beer on tap at the brewery. Drawn and served in a Standard pint glass, this beer is a a clear, medium to dark golden/copper color with a nice white head that is about an inch thick one first drawn and served. Head eventually settles to a very thick white ring lining the inside of the glass along with a nice film layer of surface foam and excellent lacing. Aromas of some slightly toasted, bready malts, floral hops, And certainly some rye notes. An extremely similar flavor profile, with the aforementioned slightly toasted, bready malts that give way to floral hop bitterness and rye spice. The floral hops and rye flavors certainly do dominate the flavor profile a bit, but they don’t totally blow out the bready malts. Has a crisp, also smooth, slightly frothy, medium to full body mouth feel with light to moderate carbonation. Easy to drink With a clean finish and the flavors linger nicely on my palate after each sip in the aftertaste.

Eric

Sparkling red-amber with a lumpy khaki head of moderate height.

Damn, this unabashedly features some potently old school hops. Dankly piney, catty, flame-licked citrus meets spicy rye and mild graham. But also, with a little digging, a hint of Smarties and even blueberry rise up in the background.

A Midwest or even West Coast flavor powerhouse that might turn off the noobs but throws me back without destroying my palate.