Don Barkley has developed beers for big-name breweries since the inception of America’s craft-beer movement; at his small Napa upstart, this amber is one of his finest creations to date. It pours deep gold with a soft, off-white head. Gentle wafts of caramel and nutty grains emit from the mild aroma, barely touched by floral hops. Lightly toasted grains and sweet walnuts dance gingerly across the tongue, while very gentle hop notes, including grapefruit, dried flowers and black pepper, weave through the malts. Subtle and harmoniously balanced, this amber finishes dry with gentle carbonation.
