Tap at Bulldog. Perfectly white chalk head sits on top of a nose with oranges and cloves. The body is light, slightly acidic, refreshing and smooth. Perfect for the style. Refreshing clovely finish. Highly highly enjoyable.

Dark russet color. Puffed wheat and cherries in nose. Smooth malty backbone. Chocolate malt and cherries. Noble hops. Mildly sweet, chocolate malt finish. Nice.

Dark brown color, hazelnuts, brownies and flowers jump from the nose. Smooth mouth with brownies and hazelnuts. Mildly sweet, but balanced. Nice.

Med golden color, frothy white head. Peaches and flowery nose. Mildly hoppy and ultra smooth mouth with hop flowers really making their presence. The finish not overly bitter like a Pilsner (though it would be an insult to call this a pale lager), but enough for a lager (25-30 IBU??). A bit more ommph at the end would have helped this beer. Re-rate. This puppy has dramatically improved in last several years, with lots of herbal hoppiness going on these day, over a dry malty backbone. Really nice take on a Czech lager. 3.7 for new beer. Old rating of 3.3, so blending the two.

Yes, a pale ale and smoke. Think it might not work?? your probably right. Smoke is very subtle on top of some flowery hops and lingering tanergines. How this works with smoke, I don’t know. Not well balanced and a bit too hoppy for a smoked ale. Still its worth a try.