Atlas Brewing Corp. Gardens of Gaia – Premium Bitter / ESB at 6.6% ABV | 34 IBU (C$4.27 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 3-Dec-2020, acquired 15-Jan-2021, reviewed 4-Feb-2021)
Appearance: clear pale gold with two fingers of rocky pale ivory head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: sweet citrus, caramel, grass. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, sweetish medium duration finish. (4/5)
Don’t ask me why, but I initially had this classified as an American IPA, and after the aroma and first sip was about to come down on it like a ton of bricks for how much of an IPA it wasn’t. Then I looked at the can a little more closely, realizing that a) I’m an idiot and b) it’s actually a pretty nice ESB. (Although they call it an Extra Special Ale, instead of Extra Special Bitter.) I don’t think I’ve ever had an ESB hopped with Citra before, but it certainly provides a sufficiently different aroma profile – more New World hops, less Noble – to justify the different nomenclature. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
