Craftsman Orange Grove Ale

Brewed by Craftsman Brewing Co.
Style: Fruit Beer
Pasadena, California USA

OK, I’m happy. It seems I’ve found another California brewer with skillful creativity and mastery in the styles I enjoy. This brew made with whole oranges where the fruit’s best qualities are imparted and preserved is nothing short of amazing. Sunshine fruit flavors, high zesty orange aromas, slightly earthy mineral flavors, some dust and biscuit. Lightly tart finish.

Flowery citrusy aroma. Crisp orange zest taste with no overt fruit sweetness. Slight tangy bitterness makes this well balanced and very drinkable. Outstanding beer.

Sampled at Pizza Port Solana Beach. Pours a cloudy orange with a ghost white small head. Looks very quenching. Aroma is sweet, fruity, and citrus...much like an orange juice factory. The flavor is malty sweet at first with a fruity citrus finish. Medium body with semi-dry finish. One of the better fruit beers I've tasted.

Draft version served at Wild Haire in LA. It was very orange/amber with white head. Aside from heavy cloudiness, it was appropriate color for a pale ale. The aroma pushed the point a little: strong malts, but very strong citrus smells - the citrusy hops and the fresh orange complemented each other very well. The flavor was quite pleasant - well balanced citrus bitterness and malt sweetness along with real orange citrus flavors that added some sweetness and some acid. The flavor reminded me of an american pale ale because of so much citrus, but I think that was due to the orange - unfortunately the brewer’s website has no details on the brew. I was pleasantly surprised. Overall, the orange flavors complemented the citrus hops very well and this was one of the best fruit beers I’ve tasted.

Tasted at Stone XI Party. Clear red copper with no head. Honey and orange aroma and taste with a bready finish.

I remember when I moved to CA in August they were out of this at Lucky Baldwin’s. Now that I see the cycle of a year I know when they are in stock. Warms my heart. ANYWAY... a nice fruit beer, though not as fruity as some might like. I had to search a little too hard for the orange, and even then came up with mostly orange peel.

Like and orange crush in glass! Orangish red in color, with almost no noticeable hops. Good but not great.

Is this an amber ale with some orange or a fruit beer that has an amber ale basis? Whatever... The orange flavor nicely complements the beer. Wish I’d see this on tap more often. Had this at the stone 11th.