NOTES: Draft @ Proof in DC
STYLE: Pale Ale
ABV: 5.4%
APPEARANCE: Hazy amber
HEAD: Slow-fading, fluffy white head
LACING: Full-coverage lacing
NOSE: To me, the best Pale Ales smell like IPAs, but have a smoother, sweeter, maltier body. Sierra Nevada makes the classic example, but Founders does a nice Sierra impression with this Dry-Hopped version. The nose has big grapefruit and pine notes and a liiiiiitle bit of sweetness that’s actually more fruit (banana and pineapple) than malt.
TASTE: The aggressive, hoppy nose takes a back seat in the taste which is much sweeter and has a strong caramel presence. Sure, there’s plenty of citrus and bitterness in the finish, but it’s far less astringent than Founders other Pale Ale variants, the Centennial and Devil Dancer. Of course, I like those beers much better, but sometimes you just need a good ol’, garden variety Pale Ale.
MOUTHFEEL: The one major knock on the brew is the too-light body. Needs a lot more heft…it’s well-carbonated, but doesn’t have the creamy smooth body that most Founders ales have. Damn shame.
DRINKABILITY: Light body, subtle flavor, and reasonable ABV = highly drinkable. Again, it ain’t Founders finest work, but I would rate it a half-step above their rival brewery’s (Bell’s) standard Pale Ale.
RATING: 3 Hops
ALEHEADS 