Blue Cat Cannonball Replica Ale

Draft at the brewpub. Advertised as 6.1% AbV and 40 IBU’s. Poured a hazy brownish color that looked like iced tea. When held up to the light it was cloudy and orange-brown. Head was thick, light tan, and reduced to a thin film after a few minutes. Pleasant flowery/citrusy hop aroma accented by a whiff of malty toffee. Medium bodied. Dry and citrusy up front with mild hop bitterness at the end tempered by delicate sweetness. Fruit and flowery hops dominated the flavor with notes of dried cherry, grape, and citrus. There was also a malty caramel note that played second fiddle to the hops, but was still tangible. One of the better beers I’ve had at Blue Cat.

Served a light-hazed, bronzed-golden under a skin of ecru. A lemony aroma is boring yet inoffensive. Dry in the mouth with diacetyl awkwardness leading to earthy, dry tea with a coffee-ground finish and a lemony linger. My least favorite of the Replicales I’ve tried so far this year.

<font size=-4>Draught sample at <a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/events-detail.asp?eventID=4707>AleFest 2007, Arlington Park Racetrack</font>