Jackalope "Drinking Buddy" Golden Ale

So, Hattie B's has let Jackalope use their brand name on a beer. It isn't even like this has some kind of spicy peppers or something in it. For those not near Nashville, Hattie B's is arguably one of the best hot chicken places in the area - possibly the best in the country. As a brewer, Jackalope has been somewhat inconsistent. The only thing I can say for sure is that they've never had a beer that I thought was excellent. They've had some great ones, but they've scraped bottom a time or two. I wonder if Hattie B's will make them fly right.

As a golden ale, the minimum requirement is that the beer needs to be gold. In this, they've been successful, but the slight haze doesn't really seem necessary. The head is reasonable and white with more staying power than I would have thought, but it won't be leaving lacing in its wake. The aroma is malt-forward with citrus close at hand. It's a bit musty, but that might actually compliment some hot chicken. 

First sip is way nicer than the aroma made me think. It's crisp and pretty refreshing. The malt is nowhere near as heavy as the smell misled me to believe, and the citrus gives it that little oomph that it needed. Golden ales aren't my favorite, but this one is a darn good example of one. Well, that's what a sip tells me.

Tip-in is light carbonation tingle with malt giving just enough substance and light citrus just dazzling the outsides. The middle comes into its own with a thinning out that doesn't get into watery as the citrus turns to peels. The finish is a bit harsh with the peels coming forward and some bitterness as dryness hits before a sharp turn and trail off into slight skunk.

Bottom Line: Better sipped, but good overall.

3.5/5