Lucked out with this one. In town for a few days from the ATL, and Mike (BA sprinkle) happened to have persauded his wife to part with her bottle of the Kiwi for a tasting at Crown #15 in Fishers, IN, USA. MANY thanks - MUCH appreciated by me. Totally coincidently, review #1800. Original batch, one of only 48 released bottles. Sampled on three small pours. Golden yellow color with pretty much complete clarity. No carbonation, head, lace or retention to speak of. Fruit notes are basically...
Notes on beers brewed by
Upland Brewing Company
Helios Pale Ale
Final beer from Upland that Penney brought back from Bloomington, IN, USA for me. Thanks! 12 oz bottle. Orange body on the pour into the tulip glass produces a thin looking body that lacks presence. Good clarity, but lace and head are both very scant. Poorly balanced pale ale for me that lacks depth. Almost watery. Acidic overtones that lead to mild heartburn on the way down and obviously reducing the drinkability quite alarmingly. Malts seem absent. Some acidic like hops, but as for...
Wheat Ale
12 oz bottle from Penney after a trip to Bloomington, IN, USA - many thanks. Pour is a very pale yellow wth some cloudy character. Lacks presence in terms of head and lace. Sweet and slightly acidic. Even a little insipid. Medicinal nose. Cuts across the palate quite sharply and it quite abrasive. Lacks any significant body and is really quite watery and weak. If I'm drinking a Wit I want a significant herbal character and some chewy depth in the mouthfeel - this lacks them both. One and done...
Dragonfly IPA
12 oz bottle from Bloomington, IN by way of Penney - many thanks. I'd never heard of Upland, but I am always keen to try a fresh, local product so this brew was a welcome gift. Slightly clouded, pale orange color with some nice carbonation. Head is small, but hangs around. Lace is not extensive but is recognizable. Clean fresh and grassy floral hops greet the nose and the tasebuds - decent stuff. Decent bitterness in the finish and the malts seem rather well balanced. Tasty offering and...