Firestone Walker Brewing Co DBA

“Hop-forward citrus aroma showcases orange, tangerine. Subtle cereal malt aroma provides support. Light flavor. Hop bitterness comes forward. Lingering bitterness in the aftertaste, with a low astringency.”

“Strong chocolate-toffee aroma. Fig, prune, black currant. Rich, deep dark-chocolate flavor—almost imperial stout in roast quality. Sweetness lingers in a velvety finish with enough bitterness to balance.”

**Aroma:** “Spicy hops aroma is very herbal and almost medicinal, with some dark cherry esters. Nice sweet caramel and toffee malt aroma. Hops aroma is subdued, floral and earthy.” **Flavor:** “The hops character in this beer is earthy, woody, a bit spicy, and floral, with mild bitterness—more than the nose would suggest. Notes of caramel and toffee come through well with a light body. Some tart notes in mid-palate. Hops flavors clash with the fruity yeast esters, though as it warms these work better together. Bitterness is a little low for the style, allowing the malt to linger a little too long.” **Overall:** “Nice example of the style. A decent English pale ale, but hops choices don’t quite harmonize with the malt complexity and yeast esters. A smooth round malt backbone anchors the flavor profile. Plenty of hops to keep things interesting—perhaps more than would usually be found in England—this is an American take on a British style.”