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Rick Franckhauser's picture

Walkabout Pale Ale

September, 2016
Judges Rating: 
87
Aroma: 
19 / 24
Appearance: 
6 / 6
Flavor: 
36 / 40
Mouthfeel: 
10 / 10
Overall Impression: 
16 / 20

Big pine resin, wood and earthy hops are discovered in the nose. Some grapefruit and underlying dankness join the New World hop party. Barely noticeable caramel malts lay underneath the hops, which are distinctly and assertively hop-forward. This beer is golden in color with some haze and a creamy, off-white head that lingers and leaves lacing. Pronounced pine resin and woody hop flavors along with grapefruit pithiness are only outdone by the bitterness, which dominates the balance. Caramel malt once again saves the day by keeping the beer from being overly sharp. Featuring a mostly-dry finish with sticky hops and an ever-so-slight malt sweetness in the aftertaste, this beer features a medium body with moderately high carbonation and some hop bite, but nothing astringent. Rather assertively hopped for an APA but perhaps this is more of a function of the New World hop varietals used. This is one worth seeking out if you are bored by run-of-the-mill, garden-variety Pale Ales.