Jalapeño Pale Ale

Amazingly fresh green jalapeño and deep poblano pepper aromatics lead the way. It doesn’t burn your nose, but you know it’s going to be spicy before your first sip. A fleeting scent of toasty malt is detected but no hops were found in this Pale Ale. The flavor followed the aroma – it’s all about the jalapeño. It is spicy and warm but not distracting. A trace of floral hop flavor peeks through mid-palate but is gone as quickly as it arrived. Sweet, bready malt also makes a short cameo appearance in the finish but is also taken over by the peppers. The balance leans toward the bitter side and finishes clean and dry. Medium-light body and moderate carbonation combine with the capsaicin and leave a prickly, warming sensation but not harsh. While the jalapeño is fresh and not overly hot, it definitely dominates all aspects of the beer. I would prefer a pale ale with jalapeño accents, rather than a straight up jalapeño ale, but this would go great with carnitas tamales.