The parcels have been in the mail. The gods of the mapled border clearly looked down favourably as my samples of Deschutes' take on a summer ale showed up today here in Easlakia. A bit of a break through in fact.

The beer smells a bit like Syracuse Pale Ale, one of my favorite local summer sips. In the mouth, it takes off into another level of controlled fruity pale graininess: bread crust meets juicy pear and apricot with twig, citrus and arugula bitterness. Light sultana raisin sweetness. At least they sent three so I won't have to be sad about running out as soon as I finish this review.

Solid BAer respect.