Pouring gold and slightly hazy, this beer -- part of an ongoing program to develop a sibling to the brewery’s Phin & Matt’s pale ale -- wears a sturdy white head that doesn’t disappear. Grassy, earthy hops pull deep into the nose, while doughy malt scents follow quietly. The flavor’s a pleasant amalgamation of soft caramel sweetness and big hop bitterness; the two flavors marry on the front of the tongue and intertwine all the way through the swallow. The hops are punchy, grassy, and bright but not overpowering, as some sweet honey splashes sing in the swallow. The brew zips into a crisp finish with lingering bitterness.
