Bent Stick Brewing Co. Swap the Hops Sultana – American Pale Ale at 5% ABV (C$4.45 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 23-Apr-2021, reviewed 25-Apr-2021)
Appearance: hazy pale straw with two fingers of rocky white head, good retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, vegetal, pale malt, stone fruit, citrus, earthy pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry bitter lightly astringent finish. (3/5)
I’ve ranted before about how “Sultana” used to be “Denali,” and how bad a name “Sultana” is, so I won’t revisit the same ground. I’ve also noted that I’m unsure that this hop has the depth of character to pull off single-hopping, and this sure isn’t changing my mind in that regard. (In fact, I don’t like this as well as I did Trailways’ single hop with it.) I don’t know if it’s a different crop, or different treatment, but I’m getting less of the tropical and stone fruit character the hop is known for, and more weedy piney vegetal – and that’s underscored by the slight astringency in the finish. It’s not terrible, but it’s not great either. (14/20)
7/10 ryansbooze.com #ryansbooze
