Great Divide Fresh Hop Pale Ale

Brewed by Great Divide Brewing Company
Style: American Pale Ale
Denver, Colorado USA

Oh, Great Divide, I love you guys! This is just a fantastically balanced beer, not quite as hoppy as an IPA, but pumped up on the malt for a ton of flavor in every sip. 22oz bomber pours a hazy light orange-amber color with a strong off-white head. Bottle conditioned, but I let this one settle for almost a week, clearing the cloudiness that others mention. Smells great, if not strong. Grass, light pine needles, and grapefruit fill the nose. Flavor is where this beer shines, with a fantastic balance I mentioned earlier. You like hops? Good, it has those. You don’t just want 100IBUs? Sure, how about 55? You miss the malty flavors of autumn beer? Not a problem, good light malts and a little sweetness. Strong moderate body with a matching medium carbonation keep it flavorful, but fresh and clean. The ONLY thing that kept the palate from being a 5/5 was a tiny appearance of alcohol at the end, which shouldn’t appear at 6%. Can I get this year-round and in longnecks?

22oz bomber bottled 9/22/09 (so about exactly 2 weeks old) purchased @ Lukas in Lone tree. Nose is really enticing grass and pineapple with a really mark-ed pink grapefuit as it warms. Flavor is crisp and fresh, with waves of grassy/dandelion flavors meshing with citrus rind and wildflower bitterness, all well-balanced with a nice caramel-y malt. Finish is crisp and dry, inviting more drinking (easy). I was really impressed with this beer. Much better than I was expecting.

courtesy of fiulijn - cloudy dark amber-orange colour with a solid but chaotic beige foam; unclean nose, fairly hoppy aroma with notes of flowers, cream and hints of fruits in the background; rounded and full-bodied; solidly bitter; very long flowery hoppy finish, quite dry - a solid and straightforward brew

I was expecting a lot because Great Divide makes great beer. I bought it with out hesitation. Friar Tucks in Peoria, IL sells old beer. It was from 07. I will re-rate this beer from a better store. Cloudy Copper pour with an off-white head. All I could smell was the malt. All I could really taste was the malt. It was tasty because Great Divide makes good beer. I am sure this would of been better fresher. It left great lacing on the glass. I am sure I would rate this better, but Friar Tucks in Peoria, IL sucks in rotating beer. I will re-rate this by going to a better store that takes pride in selling beer at its freshest.

This is nice. The nose gives the impression that it will be big and bitter, but no, it is gentle, fruity, subtle and refreshing. Other examples have a lingering bitter bite, which when not backed up with enough malt can be off putting. This beer is all about balance.

On tap at Great Divide, served in a pint glass. Clear copper-amber color with a creamy white head and good lacing. Very fresh citrus and floral hops as well as caramel malt on the aroma. Flavor is caramel malt and fresh, crisp citrus and floral hops, as well as a little grass and earth. Finish is clean, and body and carbonation level are medium. Some lingering hop resins on the palate.

Bomber (what else?). Hazy but bright auburn pour with a pretty tall light tan head and medium lacing. Explosion of grapefruit and pine forest in the nose. More citrus in the flavor with a little bittersweet chocolate and burnt toast. Silky texture with a good amount of carbonation. Mostly dry, citrusy and snappy finish. Very well crafted and very refreshing.

orange/golden color. hops are mild with piney tones. good lacing on the cup. refreshing and crisp.