Beer of the Weekend #626: Light Speed Pale Ale
Tonight’s big win by the Hawkeye men in Chapel Hill deserves to be toasted with a big Iowa beer brewed by the Hawkeye State’s premier brewery: Light Speed Pale Ale, brewed by the Toppling Goliath Brewing Company of Decorah, Iowa.
Serving type: 22-ounce bottle. No freshness date.
Appearance: Pours a light, very hazy (cloudy, basically) orange color with an amber tint. A finger of off-white head leaves a bubbly skim, a ring around the edge, and trails of lacing along the glass.
Smell: Fruity, citrusy, and somewhat sharp and catty. It is boldly hopped, obviously. Scents of kiwi, grapefruit, orange, and pineapple are most prominent and create an enticing blend. Caramel malt tries to keep the hops in check and it does a decent job. It is a touch catty, and there is a hint of lemon, too.
Taste: The mouthfeel is smooth and the flavor is very tasty. The citrus and tropical fruit features of the hops are prominent, but the bitterness is thankfully not overpowering. Flavors of pineapple, kiwi, orange, and grapefruit are most prominent. Caramel malt keeps the bitterness in check. As the beer continues to warm, the bitterness is not as prominent, but it does work the taste buds throughout each sip and leaves a lasting impression in the aftertaste. The cattiness from the aroma is also present, as is lemon.
Drinkability: This is tasty stuff. A worthy beer to toast a big win.
Fun facts about Light Speed Pale Ale:
-Style: Pale ale.
-Price: $6.99/bottle at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Alcohol content: 5.8 percent ABV.
The Quiet Man’s grade: A-.
Serving type: 22-ounce bottle. No freshness date.
Appearance: Pours a light, very hazy (cloudy, basically) orange color with an amber tint. A finger of off-white head leaves a bubbly skim, a ring around the edge, and trails of lacing along the glass.
Smell: Fruity, citrusy, and somewhat sharp and catty. It is boldly hopped, obviously. Scents of kiwi, grapefruit, orange, and pineapple are most prominent and create an enticing blend. Caramel malt tries to keep the hops in check and it does a decent job. It is a touch catty, and there is a hint of lemon, too.
Taste: The mouthfeel is smooth and the flavor is very tasty. The citrus and tropical fruit features of the hops are prominent, but the bitterness is thankfully not overpowering. Flavors of pineapple, kiwi, orange, and grapefruit are most prominent. Caramel malt keeps the bitterness in check. As the beer continues to warm, the bitterness is not as prominent, but it does work the taste buds throughout each sip and leaves a lasting impression in the aftertaste. The cattiness from the aroma is also present, as is lemon.
Drinkability: This is tasty stuff. A worthy beer to toast a big win.
Fun facts about Light Speed Pale Ale:
-Style: Pale ale.
-Price: $6.99/bottle at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Alcohol content: 5.8 percent ABV.
The Quiet Man’s grade: A-.
