New Albanian Mt. Lee California Common

Brewed by New Albanian Brewing Company
Style: California Common
New Albany, Indiana USA

Date: 04/26/2007
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub

hazy amber, fine cream colored head, lots of lace, light citrus hop aroma, rich malt flavor, lots of earthy bitterness, nice caramel sweetness to balance the earthy hops,

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 13/20
Rating: 3.3/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **+/4

Draft at Keg Liqour Fest of Ale. Poured clear copper with an average frothy off-white head that mostly lasted with fair lacing. Moderate malty and sour citrus aroma. Medium body with soft carbonation. Medium bitter flavor with a medium smooth bitter finish of moderate duration.

Growler. Sweet malt aroma. Hazy amber color with nice big head. Sweet creamy malt flavor with light berry notes and moderate hops finish. Light carbonation.

On tap at Rich O’s Publick House during RBSG Road Trip 2007. Slightly hazy golden body with a small white head. Sweet caramel and light floral hops aroma. Dry floral hops flavor with some light caramel and a bitter aftertaste.

Draught at the brewpub. Cloudy copper but looks darker. Sweet, vaguely English hops aroma with definite Cascades. Body is thin and watery, but still has a nice crisp hop bite and a good dose of dry, biscuity malt. Touch of oiliness. Very dry aftertaste. Overall, a bit thin for me, bu a good (pale-ish) session.

Sampled at St. Louis microfest. A fine attempt at the style. Pours amber with a dense off-white head. The aroma has huge grassiness with lots of pale / pils malt. Medium / body with semi-soft carbonation. The flavor starts very grassy with some spiced hops - the grassiness is really just off the charts. The finish is very grainy and grassy. Easily one of the best I’ve had of the the style.

On tap at Rich O’s Publick House when I stopped on the way to Dark Lord Day. Pours fairly clear gold with a persistent off-white head. The aroma has plenty of malt and citrus hops. A dry bittereness leads off for the flavor profile and is quickly followed by some maltiness. Well balanced and not too over the top. A good easy-drinking beer, especially for someone just becoming initiated into the realm of craft beer.

Draft at the brewpub: poured a cloudy dark orange with a medium sized beige head. Mild hop aroma with some candyish notes. Flavor is fruity, mild sweetness initially followed by a slightly tart twang. Mild citrus. Earthy hops with a nice bitter finish. Good.