Fremont Brewing Universale Pale Ale

**Aroma:** “Nice hops character and citrus sweetness with muted piney, earthy, and floral hops notes with just a touch of malt sweetness in support.” **Flavor:** “Sweet clean hops citrus character with juicy grapefruit and orange complexities, though everything is a bit restrained. Sweet, nutty, and slightly fruity hops flavor balanced with pine and a higher bitterness that helps to mitigate the sweetness.” **Overall:** “This beer was crafted well but the hops character is somewhat muted and a bit too one-note. It’s an okay beer, though muted or a bit muddy, and more malty than some. A tasty APA with a nice hops flavor and supportive base beer and malt sweetness. A bit lacking in complexity but still very tasty.”

**Aroma:** “Nice strong hops in the nose—grassy and earthy with some sweet grapefruit and citrus notes and an almost vanilla note underneath the citrus. A very unique and wonderful aroma that lasts throughout the tasting—the hops almost jump out of the glass. Slight cattiness to add complexity, but subtle enough to not be off putting.” **Flavor:** “Very juicy for a pale ale. The hops are present and showcased but not overpowering. Amazingly clean pale that allows the hops flavor to dominate and shine! Over-ripe citrus flavors, mostly orange, with very nice resiny, piney hops flavors. Finishes slightly dry with a lingering grapefruit sweetness and slight bitterness.” **Overall:** “An amazing beer that’s a master course in hops presentation. The hops are expertly showcased using a perfectly crafted base beer that’s bitter, dry and yet remains balanced—all characteristics that accentuate the hops and keep the beer very drinkable. This beer really showcases how APAs can be a great canvas for hops.”

Has a very interesting rocky and robust head that is easy to rouse. Flavor balance is more toward sweetness, which pleasantly lingers into the finish. A very clean and smooth-tasting example that is a little one-dimensional. Would enjoy several pints of this on a hot summer day after mowing the lawn.