Getting home a bit late and the desire for a brew struck while the fridge was low. I broke into what should have been a full review beer but didn’t get to land in front of the camera before she ended in my stomach. Nevertheless, here’s what I think.

I’ve seen Charleville before and I kick myself now for not knowing about this (generally) local brewery. A Facebook post from my favorite bottle shop got me excited to try this brew so here goes:

Appearance: A gorgeous deep orange bursts from the glass. There are reds and ambers inside creating a beautiful melange of colors although I wish it was a bit clearer. It’s quite hazy. A slightly off-white head of a finger stands proudly but dissipates quickly.

Smell: Pine and citrus come first. Orange, lemon, lime all come up behind the pine scent. West Coast American hops dominate the aroma. Barely a sign of malt stand here and it makes me just a bit nervous about the flavor. There’s also an earthy smell here that I’m taking too.

Taste: Pine up top with slight orange flavors coming next. The hops burn slightly but it’s no where near as “burning” as Hoptimum or Double Jack but the hops are might flavorful and incredibly enjoyable. After a few sips, the malt starts to blossom. It’s slight but it’s full of caramel and breadiness. It’s just barely enough to stand with hops and I find myself wanting more.

Mouthfeel: Just like the taste, this DIPA isn’t as “full” or “syrupy” as the ones I’ve enjoyed in the past. The lighter aspect here helps the hops take top form and this is my favorite characteristic in the beer.

Overall: A decent showing from Charleville. The malt bill came across a little weak for my tastes though. I don’t know if they’ve convinced me to take the trip out there but they’ve convinced me to give them another drink.