Style: Spice Beer

ABV: 6.0 IBU: 5.0

95/100
Aroma: 12
Appearance: 3
Flavor: 19
Mouthfeel: 4

Upland Brewing Co. Petal to the Kettle

What the brewers say

“The aroma is of tart strawberries, lemon, and grapefruit with floral notes of rose and hibiscus. The flavor has a distinctly tart grapefruit character supported by peach, strawberry, and delicate hints of floral perfume.”

What our panel thought

Aroma: “Nice balance of sweet strawberry with hibiscus and light tartness. Refreshing and bright. Light malt sweetness, toasty caramel, some cherry, and light floral notes with a touch of honey.”

Flavor: “Notes of strawberry provide some fruitiness and sweetness. Nicely balanced acidity. Plenty of fruity esters: berry, strawberry jam, light acidity, a touch of lemon, with light honey notes. The hibiscus and rose give a light floral flavor with a mild tartness in the finish.”

Overall: “Sweet, but not too sweet. Very pleasant and refreshing. Just right for those who enjoy meads or fruit wines. Hops profile on this beer is light and blended in well with the fruit and hibiscus.”

What our editors thought

Review printed in: Max Flavor (October-November 2017) (View All Issues)


REVIEWS FOR YOU >

Smuttynose Brewing Company Blackberry Short Weisse

__Aroma:__ “Jam-like berry aroma jumps out followed by a slight cherry note. Touch of black pepper phenolics and citrus notes, light acidity, light wheat notes. Slight malt sweetness is similar to a Berliner. Bright acidity comes through. Reminds me a homemade jam aroma.” __Flavor:__ “Raspberry, blackberry, and cherry jump out, providing some nice berry sweetness without being too sweet. A slight tannic tartness provides a pivot point for the sweetness. Lemon-like tartness provides some complexity. Very refreshing, light, and easy drinking.” __Overall:__ “Fantastic beer that highlights a jammy character that really shines through in the aroma and flavor. Acidic tartness gives it a bright flavor profile. Easy drinking with some complexity from the fermentation schedule, kettle additions, and fruit. Refreshing, sweet, fruity, and tart without any one of those characters being too powerful. Fun easy-drinker in the sun, maybe even make some frozen margaritas with it.”

Upland Brewing Petal to the Kettle (2019)

“Aromas of earthy peach, tart cherries, and floral hops give way to flavors of distinctively tart peaches, apples, and pears with hints of lavender. A clean yet subtly tart beer that integrates the subtle complexities of its botanicals fairly well.”

Terrapin Beer Company Rye Pale Ale

**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.”

FRESH BEERS >

The best new craft beers available in a beer store near you. Sponsored content.