Top of the Hill Poor Richards Ale

Had this one on tap at the restaurant. I’m continually impressed by the quality of the brew pubs in NC. Top of the Hill is no exception. This, next to their IPA I’d say is their finest brew. It pours a nice dark amber color, with a roasty malt aroma, a slight honey sweetness, and what tasted like a hint of berries. The depth of the hop character was pretty impressive too.

On tap. Clear chestnut brown with head of offwhite bubbles. Surprisingly hoppy aroma with some light and sweet malts. Flavors were also quite hoppy, but sweet and bready malts came through. A little unbalanced, with too many hops, and even as it warms up the malts stay sharp and thin rather than soft. Nice low-carbonation mouthfeel; brewpub keeps all their beers too cold, but I’m not holding that against the brew. Far and away the best beer from this otherwise boring brewery.

Draught at the brewpub. Clear brown color with thick bubbly white head. Subtle flowery hop nose with hints of brown sugar and caramel. Nice caramel flavor up front with a pleasant sweetness that lasts throughout and lingers. Carbonation was on the low side and really helped make the beer. Cheers to Tony Simmons for coming up with this winning recipe.