True Classic
Bert's Brewing

this is really distinctive, especially for a pale ale, which isnt always the case, these guys do as much true to style brewing as anyone, and not that this isnt a true pale, it is, as the name suggests, but its got so much personality, like its immediately identifiable from a crowd of pales, its really good, and it grows on me as i drink it. light reddish in color with an average just off white head on it, great carbonation the whole way. the nose is a little sweet from the grain up front, not quite english to me but a little bit of fermentation character is apparent, but its the hops that make this stand out, a late start for them but then its juiced lime, tea tree oil, and chamomile type herbal freshness, really bright and bold, and then it smells a bit bitter too, some late pine, unexpectedly robust, majorly appealing, would love to know what hops are in this! the flavor is similar in that the malt is up front and the hops dont really ramp up til the middle of this, zested key lime, spruce and juniper, almost a hint of acidity or something intensifying it, the opposite of how sometimes hops can feel oily in beer, or resinous. so clean, almost a menthol exhale, like im fresher after this than before it, a real feat for a humble pale ale! nice malt balance, if this is indeed english, its in the malt for me not in the ferment, which is not an issue at all. i think the hops really sparkle in this, wintery but also id drink this anytime, good medium body, lots of life, middle of the road bitterness but even the way the bitterness hits seems kind of original. lots to like about this, a full flavored pale that brings a ton of uniqueness in the hops. was stoked on every single beer i had in there last weekend!

edit: this hit every bit as effectively the second time around, love the continuous malt and hop interplay, very dynamic yet still drinkable brew, smartly built and very well refined, maybe one of their best recipes so far!

Draft at Bert's. Foggy amber pour, silky off-white head, rings of lacing. Malty aroma with some sweet notes, tea. Taste is malty, sweet, tannic with a bitter bite at the finish. Pretty mellow.