Burning River Pale Ale Review
Categories: American Beer, Drink With Us Friday
Written By: THFBeer_nate
Whew…it has been a rough couple of days. Thank heaven I had the ole Burning River to see me through a couple of nights.
Let’s face it…the shelves of stores that sell fine beer (especially the domestic sections) are overloaded with pale ales. It seems the cliche beer to brew is any overly hopped ales. I understand. There is something refreshingly delicious that comes from the marriage of malt and hop, but…not all ales are created equal. In fact, it gets downright depressing spending ten bucks on a six pack and discovering that it takes like all the other ales jumping off the bridge.
But, Burning River can hold it’s head high. Sometimes it is hard to explain why one beer is better than the rest; after all, I am no beer snob. But I’ll try, because in my opinion (and is a subjective one), Great Lakes Brewing Company puts out a devastating ale.
First of all, the smell. While it didn’t smell exactly like the Rogue Imperial Pilsner I drank several weeks ago, it had the same quality. That is; after being poured, when the glass was drawn towards my nostril, the aroma was almost unpleasant. That’s right, unpleasant. But an intriguing and enticing unpleasant. This may sound like sensory paradox, but it is no different from a fine cheese. Just a few weeks ago I indulged in an aged blue cheese that smelled like crap, but the flavor was out this world. This complex aroma revealed hops…cascade? This hoppy aroma was not precisely fresh…more aged. Fruity undertones and nice, unexpected caramel malty compliment.
The taste was a lot like the smell. At first there is a very overpowering hoppy taste. It would be upsetting if this flavor overpowered every aspect of the beer, but fortunately (and setting this ale apart) that carmel malt flavor kicks in, completely upsetting and blessing the hop. Bitter start, sweet finish. In between there are pleasant fruit flavors. I picked up on lemon, lime, and peach.
Forget at the jibberish and buy yourself a pack..or two or three. I promise, whether you can explain it or not, you’ll get it.
