Sparhawk Golden Ale

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

As the previous reviewer mentioned, the best thing about this beer is that it's something mildly interesting (read: different/not macroswill) making it to the market. Pretty average overall and not esp. memorable. I'd drink it again though.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

An odd little beer, from yet another brewery I had never heard of until this week.

Either way, I wasn't sure what to expect from this beer. Visually, the white-on-teal-green doesn't really inspire confidence, IMO. "Extra Fine" is also something of a tip-off in my mind -- kinda like the way Miller High Life makes it a point to proclaim itself the "Champaign Of Beers". But, as ussual, I digress.

Pours well enough, with a rocky head of foam, atop an orange-amber body. Slightly medicinal nose, with some basic hoppiness too, but overall nothing to get your knickers in a twist, me'thinks.

The hop profile is a bit of mystery here. Soft and floral, like some of the Nobel hops, but also of moderate bitterness on the toungue. I'm guessing one of the new hop varities, like Sterling? Crystal? Or maybe old-school, like Willamette? Eroica? Goldings? Either way, this is different enough to be interesting, IMO.

A little acrid in the backend, and seems awfully filling for such a light Pale Ale -- kinda bloating, in fact. But with the mildly intriguing flavor profile, and reasonable drinkability, I can see trying this again. I suspect it would be more interesting off the tap.

Is Sparhawk a real brewery, or just a front for Casco? Don't know, don't care, as long as mildly interesting beers such as this find their way to market...
//TB