Craftsman Declaration of Independence Ale

Brewed by Craftsman Brewing Co.
Style: American Strong Ale
Pasadena, California USA

(Draft: 2005 Stone 9th Anniversary Festival in Escondido, CA) Mmm, smells nice. Moderately sweet, but a really big, grapefruity, and fresh hops aroma says hello with a firm handshake. The pale malt and fruity base is fairly sweet and is balanced early by the moderately bitter hops. But in the finish, there’s lots of grapefruit, with spice and very bitter hops taking over for a long, bitter aftertaste. To me, the bitter finish is a bit astringent and unpleasant. Medium-full body. The sweetness sticks to the palate, but is finally dislodged by the strong bitterness. Light amber color, slightly hazy. Nearly white head pours rather small and settles to a broken sheen. I liked everything except the finish.

had this on draft at the stone 9th party. This beer strikes a great balance between a session beer and a hoppy beer. Loved it. Very drinkable, but w/ a nice hoppy flavor.

On tap at Lucky Baldwins: Slightly hazy transparent bronze pour with a nicely lacing, frothy white head. Aroma is fresh, green, citrusy and hoppy with nice caramel malty presence. Body starts sticky sweet, caramely and nicely balanced with a fresh piney grapefruit hoppy flavor. Very nice beer, but a touch too cloying toward the sticky finish.

Mammoth Beer Festival 2005. A very unique take on a very hoppy beer. It pours a golden color with a thick head and medium amount of lacing. Strong peppery & hoppy notes through-out the beer. delicious.

Pours with an amber body topped by a thick head with a good amount of lacing. It’s bitter and hoppy with nice pine notes, some pepper nites and a slight malt sweetness. Slightly warming and full bodied.

Lucky Baldwin’s IPA Festival 2005

Clouded orange appearance. Rich fruity, yeast and hop aroma. Smooth and sweet, initally orangey flavor, well spiced, moderately bitter finish, somewhat balanced out by the rich smooth malts. Fairly spicy afteraste, alcohol well tempered.

Medium gold color with a medium dense head. Very nice grassy, vegetal hops aroma. Very clear and clean hops characteristics with some green vegetable and malt flavors. Very nice crisp, bitter finish with well balanced alcohol.