Starr Hill Grateful Pale Ale

LOC: Crozet, Virginia ABV: 4.7% | IBUS: 45 | SRM: N/A

What the brewer says

“A fresh spin on the American pale ale. This remastered recipe gives Grateful a fruitier hops aroma, more citrus hops flavor, and a smoother, fuller body.”

What our panel thought

Aroma: “Lots of nice hops aromas— pine foremost, followed by light tropical fruit, some fresh peach notes, and a light floral note. Some new-mown hay and earthy notes as the beer warms. A soft grainy malt background note. Fermentation esters blend nicely with the hops and are probably responsible for some of the stone-fruit notes.” Flavor: “Lots of hops flavor but rather low on bitterness. There’s a bright fruitiness in the beginning with a light earthy characteristic. Medium bitterness balances out the fruit with mild carbonation. Light bready malt provides sweetness mid-palate but drops out for a drier, mild finish that has an interesting hops character with hints of tobacco and resin.” Overall: “Well-balanced. The hops flavors are interesting and complex. The beer finishes dry but with enough malt to linger pleasantly into the aftertaste.”

AROMA: 11 APPEARANCE: 3 FLAVOR: 19 MOUTHFEEL: 4 OVERALL: 9 91