Great Lakes Brewery Canuck Pale Ale American Pale Ale at 5.2% ABV (Price unknown, via trade, 473ml)
Pours clear medium gold with two fingers of fluffy white head diminishing gradually to a thick cap, patchy lacing (4/5). Nose is bright citrus and mango, light resin and pine, with a light caramel and bready malt background (8/10). Taste is low sweetness and moderate to strong citrusy bitter, building pepperiness (8/10). Light to medium body, moderate to low sustained carbonation, lingering bitter finish (5/5).
Another light(er), easy-drinking APA/IPA. Lighter and without the slight harshness of, for example, My Bitter Wife – but also not a DIPA, and with the associated significantly lower ABV. Loads of juicy, citrusy hops make this a very enjoyable and well-behaved thirst quencher. Well worth the cognitive dissonance detailed on the back of the can – a “fiercely irresponsible stereotypical image” on the can, but a “distinctly American style” of beer inside it. I’ll deal with my national identity crisis while I enjoy the beer. Sorry. (17/20)
8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
