A light lemon aroma jumps out of the glass and settles into a clean lactic profile with a supporting cast of doughy malt and earthy yeast undertones. The slightly hazy but attractive pale gold body supports a creamy, dense, white head that has surprisingly good retention. The flavor is very approachable; there is a clean lactic acidity without being over the top. In fact, greater levels of acidity and tartness would be welcome. While some breweries foster beers that are bracingly acidic, this beer is quite balanced. It has enough tartness to make it stand out from a typical light wheat ale and enough bready malt to give it some substance. The body is a bit thick and bogs it down a bit -- preventing it from having a light, lively character that would result in a more refeshing beer. A good all-around warm weather quencher that would serve as a great introduction to sour ales.
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Oarsman Ale
Description
Designed as a flavorful session beer, Oarsman Ale uses a classic German brewing technique to impart a light, refreshing tartness. Oarsman Ale grew out of a desire to explore the tradition of session beers, trading intensity for finesse while still creating a worthwhile experience for the taster. The grain bill includes a healthy portion of wheat, while citrusy hops lend bright notes to the aroma. Fermented with Bell’s house ale yeast, Oarsman comes in at 4.0% alcohol by volume. Rather than being the dominant flavor note, the tartness in Oarsman takes on more of a palate-cleansing role, making it perfect for pairing with food.
Judges Review
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20