Bavarian Mandarina Pale Ale - Victory Brewing Company

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bavarian Mandarina Pale Ale
Victory Brewing Company
Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
ABV: 6.00 %

LOOK: Pale bronze colored brew with a nice dense head. Leaves ring after ring of lace on the glass. Shows off a fine clarity, with carbonation rising to the top.

SMELL: Aroma of herbal, grassy German hops. There is a mild citrus tone, as well as some toffee like pale malt aroma as well.

TASTE: Fresh, herbal hopping upfront with leafy, tea like notes from whole cone hops. There is a subtle fruityness of the yeast, and a very light hint of citrus. The hops, however, show to be mostly herbal, leafy and lightly bitter.

FEEL: Medium bodied with a soft carbonation. Oily hop resins linger into the finish, and the beer is a more or less easy drinking pale with some hop character.

OVERALL: A solid pale ale with a nice German hop character. The hops come off mild and flavorful, and impart a delicate bitterness and grassy note. Nice to see a rarity like this in the market, and definitely has potential.

Serving type: on-tap

06-07-2012 01:45:11 | More by Stinkypuss

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Served in a .5 liter glass for $5.50 at the brewpub. This beer was brewed in partnership with the German Hop Growers Association specifically to be debuted at the Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego. Brewed with 100% Mandarina hops, a new, experimental hop that just recently received an official name.

A: Served with 1 finger of white head with average retention. A creamy film remains on top for the duration of the brew. The body is very clear, golden orange in color. Lacing is very good.

S: Starts off with an orange-forward hop aroma that has a very fresh clementine-like scent. Not very intense but easily identifiable. A pale malt base sits beneath featuring fresh grain and light colored bread. Quality nose, but just above average for a well crafted brew.

T: Very welcoming bright orangey citrus flavor. A fairly nondescript malt canvas allows this new hop a chance to shine. Very nice flavor and bitterness courtesy of 100% Mandarina hops. An all day, easy drinking brew.

M: The mouthfeel is basically perfect. Fine rolling bubbles of effervescence. The carbonation provides a sustained tingling sensation on the tongue from the beginning of the sip till several seconds after the swallow. Medium-light body.

O: Very approachable and highly drinkable, this beer is a success.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2012 21:39:06 | More by FeDUBBELFIST