While camping a couple weeks ago, a friend brought a sixer of Glacial Trail India Pale Ale, brewed by the Central Waters Brewing Company of Amherst, Wisc., which I later tried for myself.
According to Central Waters, Glacial Trail IPA is named in honor of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, a footpath that snakes through Wisconsin, highlighting the state’s glacial heritage.
Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. The date “07914” is printed on the neck, but I am unsure if that is a freshness date or not.
Appearance: Pour into a pint glass. The beer is clear, and the color is medium amber. A finger of dense, buttery, eggshell-colored foam dissipates slowly, leaving spots of froth, a bubble-spotted ring around the edge and trails (fittingly) of lacing along the glass.
Smell: When opening the bottle, the first burst of air from under the cap smelled pleasantly of citrus. Once in the glass, the overall aroma is malt-heavy but tinged with hop-infused citrus. A solid caramel and lightly toasted malt base is complemented by light grapefruit, Tang-like orange, pineapple, floral hops, pepper and pine. There is also a little candy apple and strawberry licorice, too.
Taste: The mouthfeel is full, creamy and dry. After each sip, the bitterness lingers on the taste buds. Much like the aroma, caramel and lightly toasted malts are most prominent. However, the combination of light grapefruit, lemon, orange peel, pine, pepper spice and floral and earthy hops lend a tasty zing to the flavor. As it warms, a pleasant grassiness emerges.
Drinkability: This is a tasty and easy-drinking beer — definitely a good choice for around a campfire on a warm evening.
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