Track, UK, Altered State - £3.60, 5.5%
MANCHESTER has always played a central role in the northern beer scene. After years of Marble acting as a guiding light while real ale came to the fore, Manchester has given rise to a crop of fantastic independent brewers in the last five years. Despite the unstoppable rise of Cloudwater, Track brewery has merrily carved its own niche, brewing full flavoured and drinkable ales with a twist.
This week’s beer is part of Track’s range of Altered State acidic IPAs, brewed this with lime zest. Pouring a cloudy, flat lemon yellow, the acidity and fruit content of Altered State make for near-zero head retention.
The aroma is immediately reminiscent of key lime pie. Sweet and spicy ginger nut biscuits are layered with sweet, juicy lime zest. Bitter, pithy grapefruit sits just below the surface, with all the aromas refreshing and balanced.
Crunchy pale malt is drowned in an avalanche of fragrant lime juice, sharply acidic and drying on the palate. This is balanced beautifully by sweet malt and a touch of lemon thyme. The finish moves increasingly towards lemony, fruity hops, making for a rounded 7-up fruit finish. Fragrant and bitter, like rustic lemonade, Altered State is a very drinkable and refreshing IPA perfect for cutting through the warm weather.
Recommended by Michael Bates, Trembling Madness, York
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