Adnams May Day
Adnams plc, Sole Bay Brewery

If I didn't know any better, I'd guess this is a real lager - because that's how it looks, smells, and tastes. In the glass it is a brassy yellow-gold, with a touch of haze and a fine, smooth, ivory-white head. It smells of German pale and crystal malts, grainy, corny, and crackery with a mild caramel note and a touch of tropical fruit - especially, and unexpectedly, banana! Light, clean, honeysuckle-esque floral hops lend a summery top note. The taste is solidly malty but not at all sweet, quite well attenuated with a clean, quick, pilsener-like bitterness. Moderate citric fruitiness leads into a full, toasty grain flavor followed by a somewhat soapy and floral finish of noble hops. Dry yet quite sticky, with a tangy quality that makes me want to drink more. Quite a refreshing ale - not a lot of depth, and this may work better as a lager, but nice nonetheless.