The Essential: Compass
Trillium Brewing Company in Canton, Massachusetts, United States 🇺🇸
Lager - Premium Series|
Score
7.33
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Like a good set of tools, a clean, crisp, and refreshing Lager is paramount for any New England adventure. While the recipes will change, the focus on incorporating local ingredients and quenching thirst will never waver. Grab your gear, pack an Essential Lager, and get outside.
We're kicking off the series with the guiding Compass. A simple and clean malt structure consisting mostly of Valley 2-Row Pilsner Malt contributes a biscuity, cereal grain undertone. The use of American Noble Citra and locally-grown Crystal hops from Four Star Farms layer aromas of orange citrus, ripe summer melon, and grapefruit rind. Beautifully bright straw yellow, with a pillowy white head, Compass is light-bodied, with scrubby carbonation and a highly refreshing finish.
We're kicking off the series with the guiding Compass. A simple and clean malt structure consisting mostly of Valley 2-Row Pilsner Malt contributes a biscuity, cereal grain undertone. The use of American Noble Citra and locally-grown Crystal hops from Four Star Farms layer aromas of orange citrus, ripe summer melon, and grapefruit rind. Beautifully bright straw yellow, with a pillowy white head, Compass is light-bodied, with scrubby carbonation and a highly refreshing finish.
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8/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Reviewed from notes.
Can to lager glass.
Appearance: golden yellow to semi-copper color with a three finger white foamy head which dissipated nicely to leave some light lace
Aroma: floral to melon-like hops; light hay and/or grassy hop spice; clean cracker-like malts underneath? Yeah, I believe so.
Flavor: combines the previously noted aromas to a fine sweet to semi-bitter quality; finishes mostly with the malts with a brush of the floral hops
Texture: light to medium bodied, sessionable; good smoothness about this beer with a super light brush of hops but truly seems like a stretch to even say that.
Overall: nicely done hoppy lager that seems like something Jack's Abby or Barrier would do with their hoppy lagers. I'd return to this one.
Can to lager glass.
Appearance: golden yellow to semi-copper color with a three finger white foamy head which dissipated nicely to leave some light lace
Aroma: floral to melon-like hops; light hay and/or grassy hop spice; clean cracker-like malts underneath? Yeah, I believe so.
Flavor: combines the previously noted aromas to a fine sweet to semi-bitter quality; finishes mostly with the malts with a brush of the floral hops
Texture: light to medium bodied, sessionable; good smoothness about this beer with a super light brush of hops but truly seems like a stretch to even say that.
Overall: nicely done hoppy lager that seems like something Jack's Abby or Barrier would do with their hoppy lagers. I'd return to this one.
Tried
from Can
on 07 Mar 2026
at 22:29
7.6/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7.5
Texture 8
Overall 8
Tap at Whole Foods. Booming hop tone. Call this IPL or something but Lager is a stretch. Awesome tone, balance. Kind of nails it whatever it is. Cool, crisp, well made.
Tried
on 03 Nov 2025
at 23:17
7.6/10
—
Appearance 7
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Tried
on 24 Apr 2025
at 20:57
7.8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
My 750th Top 50 RateBeer rating! 16 ounce can from Canton brewery. Medium gold color. Large pillowy white head. Aroma is biscuity, grainy malt and grassy hops. Flavor is light and soft on the palate. Biscuit and mineral notes. Subtle hop notes lean toward light citrus and fresh herbs. Amazingly refreshing and crushable.
Tried
from Can
on 10 May 2024
at 03:15
7.4/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Pint can from Niemuth’s, 8/26/23. Slightly hazy gold, large white head, average retention. Aroma of green, grassy hops, pale malt. Taste is green hops, lemon, pale malt. Crisp, well balanced. Pretty simple.
Tried
from Can
on 29 Aug 2023
at 03:53
7.1/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 6.5
Sample at The Roost, clear gold. White head. Corn yeast flowers grist. Flavors same. Dry finish, crisp. 7 4 7 4 13
Tried
on 18 Aug 2022
at 14:19
7.5/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Pours bright gold into a nonic. Bright white head with little retention crackles and recedes to mottle surface. Cracked corn and hay aromas. Crisp with sweet caramel and fresh hay upfront turning to earthy hop in the medium length finish.
Tried
on 03 Sep 2021
at 22:05
7.6/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Draught Fenway, 8/26/21.
Clear, light amber. Large, snowy head with strong retention.
Nose is heavy caramel and cereal grain. Almost worty though I know that's not the case. Hops are an afterthought of light spice and lemon. Clean, low on the yeast character; just a bit fruity. No alcohol noted.
Dry and balanced in the mouth with a hint of caramel, doughy biscuit and a mix of earthy and spicy hops accented by light lemon and gentle bitterness. Soft and malty with a bit of sugar cookie on the finish. For a more malt-forward beer this is nicely refreshing.
Clear, light amber. Large, snowy head with strong retention.
Nose is heavy caramel and cereal grain. Almost worty though I know that's not the case. Hops are an afterthought of light spice and lemon. Clean, low on the yeast character; just a bit fruity. No alcohol noted.
Dry and balanced in the mouth with a hint of caramel, doughy biscuit and a mix of earthy and spicy hops accented by light lemon and gentle bitterness. Soft and malty with a bit of sugar cookie on the finish. For a more malt-forward beer this is nicely refreshing.
Tried
on 26 Aug 2021
at 22:03