An Ale of Interest
Against The Grain Brewery

Not a bad pale ale even when consumed like warm. Traditional without much hop bite and smooth but not even real interesting despite its namesake. Meh.

 

I had this on draft from a local pizza pub, which has been known to have polluted lines. I'm saying that because I found it kind of disappointing -- not very flavorful, though it grew on me as I consumed it with food.

The clear amber beer with some orange highlights pours out into a Duvel glass with a 1 1/2” white head that persists well and leaves a web of scattered lacing on the sides of the glass as it very slowly recedes to a thin cap, a thick ring around the glass and lots of small patches and legs of lacing. Sipping creates a couple of arches and lots of small patches and legs of lacing.

The aromas include some citrus, some pine and some light tropical fruits that are backed up by just a bit of bready malt.

The flavors are much as expected from the nose with some citrus, a bit of orange zest, some pine resin, some light tropical fruits and a bready malt backbone. The light caramel sweetness is nicely balanced by some light, slightly citric and earthy bitterness so that neither becomes unpleasant.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied and a bit prickly with some moderate carbonation. The finish begins as the sweetness and fruitiness begin to fade leaving behind a long dry slightly bitter ending that invites another sip.

Overall this is a well made, tasty beer that I’ve enjoyed and I’d be fine with having again. The beer is a clean and crisp APA that that would be a good choice for having more than one.

I am now CANtinuing the seCANd phase of Happy New Against the Saugatuck Grain Beer Sunday (Week 699) & I am happy to be adding to The CANQuest (tm).

From the CAN: "A Collaboration"; "Art & Layout by 10131284"; "You drank it ... You can't un-drank it …"; "Well technically you can if you touch that xxxxxx hanger in the back of your throat. That's gnarly though. Don't do that. Instead, we recommend that you give this super tight ale a whirl and discover what makes it so xxxxxxx interesting! Aside from the fistful after fistful of clutch Mosaic hops that we yawned into this insanely crushable ale, we extended an olive branch to our pals in the Dopamines, to ensure that the enclosed liquid is all rippers, no skippers."

I could not wait to crush this CAN! Well, no, not literally, since my spent CANs get forwarded to Jeff Lebo for his CANlection aka Brewhouse Mountain Eco-Inn in York Haven, PA. I Crack!ed open the vent & gave it a moderate Glug to get things started. I was rewarded (?) with just over a finger of dense, foamy, rocky, tawny head with decent retention that left some nice lacing in its wake. Color was a solid Amber (SRM = > 7, < 9) with NE-quality clarity. Nose smelled very pine-resinous, which was unexpected, given their mention of Mosaic hops. No matter, I was excited as a self-described, self-avowed hophead! Mouthfeel was medium. The taste was very pine-y, very resinous and about as close to AIPA territory as you CAN get & still be CANsidered an APA. No wonder that its score was so high! I was kinda plowing right along since it was so easy to drink when I noticed that it clocks in at 5.5% ABV, so it was time to take my foot offa the gas, at least slightly. I was really happy with the way that it remained so resinous, even when warming in the day's heat & humidity. Finish was dry, resinous and highly satisfactory, IMHO. YMMV.

Illegibly dated can into pint glass. Pours a clear amber with a long-lasting, coarse-bubbled head. Initial impression is a very nice balance of hops and malt, with lemon, light mango, pine, and bready malts. Mouthfeel is medium, as is carbonation. Finish is dry, refreshing, and slightly bitter. Would be a great session selection.

 

 

 

 

 

Rich lathered head, nice golden color...poured into a large pilsner glass (it's what I had!), This is a good and enjoyable brew....would have liked a bit more punch...glad I tried

 

 

From a 16oz can. Label says this is a collaboration but is silk as to the partner's name. Pours a clear copper/Amber with a long-lasting head. Nice nose of mild citrus, pine and malt. Similar palate. Nice pale ale.