YellowBelly Brewery Paddy’s Day Ale (2015) English Pale Ale at 6.5% ABV (C$13.05 at NLC Howley Estates, 1 l, best before April 23, 2015)
Pours clear deep gold with two fingers of rocky white head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, moderate chunky lacing. (4/5) Nose is grassy and herbal, pale malt. (6/10) Taste is medium sweet, mild bitter. (6/10) Light to medium body, moderate sustained carbonation, off-dry lightly spicy and mild bitter finish. (3/5)
I don’t think this is as good as last year’s. The 2014 had a lot of pine resin, citrus, and fruit, while the 2015 is more a traditional English Pale. Not that that’s a surprise, I guess, since the label says it’s hopped with East Kent Goldings. To be fair, it’s decently well done, but I personally prefer the American-style hopping of the previous one. (12/20)
6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
