The first sip is bad. Its like a bitter lemon shandy.
The second sip is better and i can see what they are trying to do but the lemon tart lacks herbaceous astringency, it is thin and just a bit dull.
It is a classic part of Pale Ale that the drinker gets a 'green' astringent flavour. Often, this comes from American hops and can be found in the Rouge 'Yellow Snow' or a 'Little Creatures' Pale, it is best delivered in recent times through the Cascade First Harvest, but this is all wrong.
I understand that this beer is meant to represent an english style pale but i have never tasted one like this.
I am glad it is organic, i am glad they make 20 different 'craft beers' at Redoak, but i can't help thinking it would be better if they just made half a dozen good beers (and made them a little cheaper...)
Thankfully i have a Squire Pilsener ready to get the flavour if bitter lemon out of my mouth.
Dan
