Versatile pioneering microbrew led revolutionary movement against stifled commercial American breweries by sparking significant trend towards quality craftsmanship in ’80s. Historic amber lager opens with bright spicy citrus aroma, rich maple malting, and pleasant caramel roast embracing gentle barley-oats spine. Iconic matchstick head finish given burnt cherry wood trail, faint orange peel bitterness, and apricot tang for distinctive luster. On tap, gummy wheat gluten mouthfeel discerned. Tried June ’04 bottle seven years hence just for kicks and the perfectly basic lager held up, bringing a sweeter pastry-like cereal graining to thicker hop spicing.
