I like a simple, straightforward label. As a result, I like this beer already. It has a certain amount of style, it is easily recognizable, it contains all of the necessary information for determining what kind of beer I should be expecting, and it doesn't go nuts with the art. Instead, there are subdued trees in the blue background. I've never had a beer from Cedar Glade, but I'm expecting this to be good, and I will look for more of their beers, based on the label.
The blonde is surprisingly hazy, and it is quite reluctant to release much head. What had there is dissipates nearly instantly - much like that of a soda. It seems very strange to me that the head should be like this, and scant points of nucleation give me what few bubbles I will get. There isn't going to be any lacing, and there isn't any ring around the sides of the glass or lily pad in the center. The bubbles have absolutely no staying power. The aroma is sweet malt on top of grains, and it has a yeasty tang that is starting to make my mouth water.First sip is simple and straightforward. Some beers are meant to be inspected, some beers are an event, and some beers are intended to be quaffed. This beer is quite drinkable. It is, as the kids say, crushable. It has just enough flavor to stand on its own, and it has a respectable 5.6% ABV. This is a beer, and it taste like a good beer. At least, that's what the sip does. I guess I won't know if it's crushable until I actually start to swig.
Tip-in is extremely mild (almost a figment of my imagination) carbonation tingle with sweet malt and tangy yeast. The middle brings a bit more carbonation to the roof of the mouth as the sweet grains flow effortlessly underneath without becoming watery. The finish turns slightly dry with grains hanging on and continuing to imbue their sweetness into the trail off.
Bottom Line: Quite quaffable.
3.0/5