Bird Dog - Emerson's Brewery

lacqueredmouse

Australia

4.18/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

On-tap at the Local Taphouse in Darlinghurst for their Kiwi SpecTapular.

Pours a deep copper-gold colour, with a very clear, almost filtered look. Head is fine and white, which dissipates to a ring of film around the edge. Lacing is patchy but decent. Light in the look, but it's suitable enough.

Nose is sweet and citrussy, giving a good Cascade aroma of crisp orange, although it's missing some of the bite I expected from the NZ cultivar. Indeed, the malts give a pleasant smooth vanilla note, or at least they give just enough sweetness to pretend. It's an interesting balance. Certainly more malt-heavy than I thought it might be.

Clean, bright cascade characters on the palate, with a bit of nutty grain. Some sharpness to brighten it, but not a lot of true bitterness. Very well balanced and exceptionally drinkable. The hops certainly appear more on the front than the back, leaving the back a little flat. But this just means you want to take your next sip.

A very drinkable and very enjoyable pale ale. Lovely.

Serving type: on-tap

06-07-2011 06:43:27 | More by lacqueredmouse

laituegonflable

Australia

4.1/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep golden colour. Head is whispy and off-white. Decent lacing, quite nice.

Smells very enticing. Lots of floral hop notes - tropical fruit, pineapple, citrus, sherbet and a touch of rosewater. Fresh, sweet, tangy. Very pleasant indeed.

Taste is full of refreshment from the get-go. Light pineapple notes with mild sweet grain. Touches of citric hop come through midway, but it's just a touch of zest, with a bitter finish that is clean, crisp and confoundingly good.

Feel is wet, smooth, with a bit of bite towards the back.

Fantastic pale ale showcasing the lovely flavours of NZ Cascade hops to their full potential. Emerson's have done it again; supremely enjoyable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2011 01:13:35 | More by laituegonflable