Deschutes Brewery Armory XPA Experimental Pale Ale American Pale Ale at 5.9% ABV (US$3.99 at Total Wines & More Henderson NV, 650 ml, best before 14-Jul-2015)
Pours clear pale amber with two fingers of rocky light tan head, good retention and lacing. (4/5) Nose is citrus, grainy pale malt, tropical fruit. (7/10) Taste is moderate sweet, moderately strong bitter. (7/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, lingering moderately bitter finish. (3/5)
I like this. Not quite a traditional APA, but not quite an IPA, either. Bright citrus and fruit play well with the emphatic bitter. Fun, but not great – the flavours aren’t as bright as promised by the nose, so though it’s bitter, it’s not as clean as I’d like. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
