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Maine Beer Company “Mo”

93 A-

Mo is a bottle-conditioned Pale Ale. Thanks for the trade, Kirby! Aromas deserve an A+ for their delightful hop notes, which closely resemble ripe cantaloupe, guava, honeysuckle, and grapefruit peel. Malts carry frail sweetness over hints of pale grain.

The palate starts sweet with smooth wheat. Meanwhile, hops immediately taste of like oranges and cream. Tropical notes weave throughout. Herbal characters rise up from the middle, just before sour grapefruit slowly rises to a crisp climax. Bolstering support from below, biscuit malts kick into high gear for some much needed balance. Despite their efforts, bitterness reigns supreme. Mouthfeel is creamy, then sharpens up as oils gently dry to a clean finish.

Overall, I think this is a balanced, flavorful Pale Ale where the sour component runs parallel to bitterness. As is characteristic of the style, malts only exist as a platform on which hops stand. I think there’s enough originality here to make it stand out among others in the style. The hop profile is distinct, and shows a full range of color. Bitterness is poignant, but never pushes beyond respected boundaries. If you’re a fan of the Pale Ale, this is probably worth seeking out. I recommend it.

Malts: American 2-Row, CaraPils, Caramel 40L, Red Wheat

Hops: Warrior, Falconer’s Flight, Simcoe

6.0%

? IBU

Custom Sneakers: Wolverine