Summit Belgian-style Pale Ale

Summit Belgian-style Pale Ale. Summit Brewing, St. Paul, Minnesota. 5.5% ABV.

To the eye: Clear, amber-hued, solid cap of ivory froth that settles down assuredly.

In the nose: mild and malty, light fruit and a hint of spice. Belgian yeast at work. Peppers, cloves, and bubblegum.

In the mouth: There it is on the tongue. Malt, spice, fruit, yeast. Little hops. Medium bodied, easy drinker, nice and warm. I like Belgian pale ales, but they're not often my first choice. Good beers, when done well, but don't always do it for me. This one leans too hard on the spice, I think, when it could use more malty sweetness.

The Belgian Pale is an elegant, complex ale with spicy and floral aromas, as well as mild notes of orange zest and graham cracker. With a full mouth- feel and thirst-quenching bitterness, European hops and a Belgian yeast strain are layered over German, British and Belgian malts. Refreshing enough for a warm September day, hearty enough for a cool October evening.

ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 5.5%
ORIGINAL GRAVITY: 13° Plato
COLOR: Sunset Orange (14 L)
HOPS: Saaz, Styrian Goldings
MALTS: Belgian Pils, UK Pale, German CaraMunich

YEAST: Belgian Ale Yeast