Judge’s Review: 85 Rating – Starship Ranger by Grain Theory

American Pale Ale | Seasonal | United States

By Brad Darnell

Judges Rating: 85
Aroma: 20
Appearance: 5
Flavor: 35
Mouthfeel: 8
Overall Impression: 17

Starship Ranger by Grain Theory is being judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 18B – American Pale Ale.
I am presented with a beautiful harvest orange and mostly clear beer that supports a medium-sized eggshell white head on top, that mostly persists and forms some lacing. Moderate guava and mango hop aromas greet my nose, accompanied by apricot and nectarine notes. A medium biscuit malt sits underneath this brilliant hop bouquet. My first sip introduces the medium-high hop bitterness and some resinous hop character still supported by medium biscuit malt.
The nose invites another several deep sniffs as I find light malt sweetness alongside the still-intriguing hop bouquet. I note faint toasted bread crust late in the nose. The flavor is hop-dominant with the malt providing enough balance to ensure multi-dimensionality. Fresh stone fruit and tropical fruit notes linger into the dry finish. The beer is medium-bodied with medium-high carbonation.
This beer would pair well with a soft angel food cake, with the hop bouquet providing the fruit notes to complement.