Elysian has proven competency in more than one style, but they come back to IPAs, and that appears to be the right place. Well, what if they didn't go full IPA and instead went just to the precipice? What if they only made a pale ale? Good news. We get to try their foray into the lesser ales!
The hazy pale orange beer is quite reluctant to produce any head at all, and slight striations of bubbles just above the top of the head are about all I'm going to get for lacing. The aroma is citrus and a significant tanginess that creates an involuntary response of my mouth watering. I'm in favor of beers that cause my mouth to water.
First sip is fruits galore, but the overriding sensation is a mixture of tart and bitterness. It's not overwhelming, and if this had been an IPA, they would have decidedly been running that risk. Instead, the more affable nature of a standard pale ale is working to its benefit. What might otherwise be overwhelming is, instead, contemplative. I like the sip fine.
Tip-in is tartness with lemons, oranges, and grapefruit with almost no carbonation. The middle brings bitterness into the fold as the fruits decrease significantly and the carbonation is here for the disruption, and it's not a great disruption. The finish is a little dry with bitterness and tartness mixed with grapefruit and pears tangling with each other in to an unsettled trail off.
Bottom Line: Rough, but not terrible.
2.25/5