Carlyle California Common

5.0% alcohol for this batch. Ruby red in color with a 1/2 inch thick, off-white head which leaves great lacing. Aroma is mostly an earth hopped scent with slight floral aroma with some malt coming through under the hops. Flavor has a bit of a Maris Otter malt and earthy hops notes up front (possibly some fuggles-ish hops), slight citrus in the middle with a semi-sweet ending with lemon flavor at the end. Medium carbonation and medium density make it heavy enough to the hold the flavor and not feel the least bit watery. Overall a great hopped up beer.

On tap at brewpub

The california common style is one that I find hard to pin down. I’ve only had a few. They are good but I’ve yet to find one that would make me want to explore the style more. In this case it happened to be on tap and easy to get so I decided it was worth a shot.

Aroma / Appearance - The bronze body had minimal carbonation and a half-finger off white head. The nose was slightly bitter with orange dipped chocolate and a subtle tea leaf base.

Flavor / Palate - Creamy vanilla is offset by iced tea, caramel and malts. A light bitter aftertaste completes the experience. This was the first beer that really had an emphatic finish; it was not strong but there was something there. It felt a bit warm for 4.6% but not too intense. Overall this was a solid beer in a style that I just can’t get too excited about.

The body is a golden amber and the off-white head is frothy and busy making lace. In the aroma a pale sweet malt is complemented by apples, pears, and a sturdy citric tang. The flavor has a blending of yellow and pink grapefruit that counter the smooth malty sweetness. Nicely done.

<font size=-4><a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp?PlaceID=2247>Carlyle Brewing Company, Rockford, IL<font size=-1>

Had this one on draught as part of a sampler flight at the brewpub in Rockford, Illinois. Medium reddish gold pour with a foamy tan head, lots of citrusy hops and grapefruit throughout, dry finish. An outstanding brew.

Draught @ Brewpub: This one pours a fairly clear darker amber/golden color. It had a big off-white head with lots of lacing. There is a faint whiff of grapefruit and sour malts to the nose. The taste is fairly typical of this style. It was slightly sour with hints of fruit. This was a decent example of the beer.

On tap at the brewpub. Copper colored with a massive light-tan head that is fully lasting. Spicy hop aroma, lots of pine needles, sticky pine resin, grapefruit rind. A decent hop bitterness initially, not too strong, but rather tart and grapefruity. A slight mineral flavor in the finish, almost like calcium - not sure what that is. A dry, slightly fruity finish with more resin and pine. Very good.

Sample at the brewpub. Dark amber with reddish inflections and thick lasting head (like nearly all of Carlyle’s brews I should note)...dry herbal nose, touch of citrus, grassy-grainy character foundation...moderately acidic, very citrusy, light with brown sugar sweetness, malty but quite dry and crisp, just a beautiful balance, touch of cherry-berry undertones can be faintly found as it warms. I don’t know the style well enough to determine the "accuracy" of this beer, but it is definitely my new favorite.

New addition to the menu, on tap at the brewery. Dark copper with a medium short lasting frothy good lacing leaving head. ’sweaty’ grains in the nose, almost musky and tart hops and barley-ish in the taste up front more sour in the back. Interesting and quite drinkable. It was different than I expected and as the drink sat for a bit it developed more.