Great Lakes Independence Ale

Draft. Poured reddish amber with a big foamy head. More hops than expected in the aroma, with a nice bready/caramel backdrop Incredibly drinkable with a smooth malt flavor backed-up with decent hoppiness. Perfect carbonation - not nearly as syrupy as a lot of ambers. Very nice example of an underappreciated style.

Growler. Coppery amber with a thin white head. Tangy hop aroma and taste. Earthy malt backbone with a clean finish. Very smooth and tasty.

FCBF 09. Was an amber color and a pretty ok head. Flavor was a little malty and some hops were present in the finish.

FCBF 09. Was pleased these folks had a new beer to showcase. A bit of crackers in the nose along with the hoppy aroma, something unusual in there too that I couldn’t identify, but it added to it. The palate was surprisingly hoppy and dry. Decent.

(draft @ 2009 Flour City Brewer’s Fest - Frontier Field - Rochester, NY) Clear orange pour with a fluffy white head. Aroma is loaded with dry and floral hops. When I first smelled it, I thought it was an IPA. Flavor is incredibly floral and bitter with some mild citrus. Mainly dry hops. Tastes exactly like an IPA. Finishes dry, bitter, and cloying.

Draft. Clear golden/amber pour with almost no head. A lot of malt and hops on the nose and in the flavor. A few minor secondary flavors- floral notes, bread, and some earthiness. Light body and bitter on the palate. Not particularly unique, and feels a little too common compared to most of Great Lakes’ offerings.

On tap at Winking Lizard. Malty and hoppy and brown. Good, not special. I’m usually looking for something more curious from my seasonals.

Lightly hoppy with a medium bodied maltiness. Pours a fair amber color with a half inch thick off white head and good lacing. Some citrus and faint pine hop aroma coupled by mild sweet malts. Middle of the road ale.