Breakside Brewery Fall Apple Ale
What the brewers say
Lightly smoked amber ale with a kiss of mulling spice, blended and re-fermented with freshly pressed apple juice.
What our panel thought
Aroma takes me back to spiced cider at the Weihnachstmarkt—clove, cinnamon, apple, citrus. In the flavor, tart apple and spices fade into lingering light smoke. Underlying biscuit malt reminds me it's a beer. As spicy as it is smoky.
What our editors thought
Light mulling spice and hint of smoke on the nose suggest apple-picking with a campfire. The sip loses definition in a clumsy apple-ish generality. Light smoke resurfaces, but not enough to dry out the sip and encourage another.