Elysian Rapture Heather Ale

LibationsSpokane

So this is a homerun of a beer for Elysian, one you apparently can find on tap at Manito right now. And do check it out; the Rapture Heather really is a great ale.

It pours a lightly hazy orange with about a finger's worth of foamy head. Give it a whiff, and hints of floraly hops hit upfront, flanked by orange. The nose is in itself really quite refreshing, and a good indicator of what to expect flavor wise.

Taste it, and you'll likely find it very pleasant and drinkable. (Unless you're an awful, awful person.) The sweetness and floral notes are feminine, but the bitterness toward the back should make even the most manly man feel secure. Somewhere in between you'll find the citrus too, and even a bit of caramel-like maltiness.

This is one of those ales anyone can enjoy. At 7% ABV it's a wee bit too heavy to be a session beer, but a pint of it is refreshing. It's not a spring ale per se -- it's part of Elysian's 12 Beers of the Apocalypse series -- but still tastes spring-y to me.

The Rapture is an excellent ale. You probably should check it out.