Ska Brewing Company Euphoria Pale Ale

**Aroma:** “Pepper-like rye spice hits up front, with a bit of cinnamon and a medium, woody hops aroma. Some fruity, Kölsch-like esters, with a little citrus, apple, pear, and banana. Some biscuit toast in the back.” **Flavor:** “The prominent malt body has some nice biscuit sweetness. A little pepper character adds complexity, but it’s not too bitter. Detectable yeast esters of ripe pear and apple balance the bitterness of the hops. Finishes clean, smooth, and crisp with great carbonation.” **Overall:** “I loved the carbonation in this beer. The rye seemed to fit and work with the malt. Lots of flavor that’s complex and interesting, although perhaps too full for a Pilsner. This beer is about the rye, and the hops do not get in the way.”

**Aroma:** “Floral hops aroma meets medium sweet malt with biscuit notes verging on caramel. Light esters of pear or peach and very subdued citrus notes. Mild floral hops, with a fair amount of peach. Musty yeast aromatics, low orange peel hops, lovely honey-bread crust malt, low but noticeable.” **Flavor:** “Full bodied with a sweeter malt finish and hops bitterness to match the body. Hops are mostly piney and resinous with a touch of lemon. Moderate hops flavor—peach, pear, and some cherry, with a proper bitter finish. Initial flavor is much more simple than aromatics suggest—a good surprise. Lovely.” **Overall:** “Well crafted, balanced pale ale. Hops flavor lingers into aftertaste with juicy citrus notes and fresh pine boughs. Right down the center of the style, an archetypal example. Carb makes the hops pop, and then the bitterness lingers. Great West Coast hops character. Nicely balanced beer. Stylewise it may be a bit bitter overall, but the malt complexity backs it up well.”

**Aroma:** “Piney and citrusy hops notes up front work well with the malt spiciness. A touch of malt sweetness comes through, maybe with a hint of caramel. Medium yeast notes of plum and apple cider. Pine and citrus hops give it a slightly earthy character.” **Flavor:** “A bit more subdued on hops flavor than most APAs, with the hops flavors competing a bit with rye and maybe even caramel malt notes. This pale doesn't make the hops the star of the show; it’s more a bit player behind an intriguing maltiness with bread crust, caramel, and biscuit notes. Earthy and spiced notes of rye add complexity.” **Overall:** “I like the complexity the rye malt adds, but think it would work better with larger amounts of spicy hops, such as Chinook. The citrusy hops don't seem to play as well with the rye. Enjoyable, and a different take on APA. The spice and malt character blend well with the hops that come through more in the finish than on the front. Very drinkable.”