Light-bodied top-fermented copper-toned bitter gains deep grain pungency, hop-charred bitterness, and dry malt ebb abruptly countering sinewy yeast sweetness. But indistinct finish lowers appeal.

Highly regarded, widely touted amber-red ale with formal, efficient palate novices will appreciate alongside professionals. Rich caramelized grains embolden long lasting bittersweet (never harsh) finish confronting dry hop relief. Hidden beneath creamy butterscotch fizz lies subdued black cherry hints. On tap, its silky flow, sinewy yeast pleasantness, and sweet malt overtones rate a perfect five. In the bottle, yeast residue is lost. Canned version relies on ester-y apple nose, burnt sugar frontage, and dry grain backbone, turning tinny by caramel finish.

Immediate dry wheat husk tempers mild hop formality, iffy barley strand, and sweet tobacco spell, picking up slender lemon-orange bitterness and banana souring by light Scotch finish.

Adequate rocky tan-headed chestnut amber pale ale (given boost by costly ’08 ad campaign) maintains dry spice-hopped barley-roasted theme, but distant lemon-peeled orange-singed fruiting gets diacetyl. Caution: befuddling ‘full body’ labeling.

Toasted honey-fortified amber-hued moderate body pits prickly hop stead against sweet yeast, cracked wheat, and butterscotch before overripe orange effervescence sidles acidic oak-dried finish.

Turbid rocky-headed pale ale skewers floral hop dryness with fruited honey malt surge, almond-pecan tether, and biscuit-y breading. Musty peach-cherry-quince tartness picks up herbal coriander-clove nuance mid-palate, but creamy finish subsides hastily.

Problematic coppery crud tosses rusty nail waft inside nasty stale-breaded citric-soured honey-malted skulk of medium-bodied flop. Cotton-candied orange tartness never reaches fruition.

Fine dry-hopped maple-malted caramel-nutty medium body swallowed up by watery mineral-grained finish, yet quite sturdy despite coarse astringency.

Soft-toned floral wheat aroma, tongue-tingling hop spice, and honeyed banana sweetness give light-bodied German Weiss/ Belgian ale knockoff exceptional resilience simmered by secondary clove-coriander complacency. At candi-sugared finish, orange-bruised apricot-pineapple-tangerine tang and sunny lemon tartness emerge.

Mildly creamy grassy-hopped ale counters sharply red-fruited orange-peeled grapefruit bittering with sweet caramel malt wake suppressed as bottle drains. Floral spicing recedes too quickly.

Grain-framed reddish copper ale gains impressive rye emphasis promptly underscored by earthy wheat chaff, toasted biscuit nuance, and dry hop fizz. Minimal tobacco leaf and citrus notes fortify sweet finish, enhancing overall distinction.

Modest coppery pale body with floral nose and lively carbonation allows toasted honey malts to embrace hop-embittered citric-berry nuances. Green raisin, apricot, and plum accents hide beneath slight oxidation.