Brewery: Anchor Brewing Co. | Beer: Humming Ale
Style: American Pale Ale | ABV: 5.9% | IBUs: 65
Serving Method: 12 oz. bottle poured into pint glass
Anchor's newest seasonal, Humming Ale hit the package market back in 2010 and slots in as the fall seasonal. Fall beers are usually pumpkin related or malty, so it's always nice to see something that bucks the trend like this American Pale Ale.
Humming is actually a well-established beer term with ancient roots. Instead of a specific style, it refers to a strong, effervescent beer with plenty of character, or just a damn good pint.
As for construction of this particular brew, Humming is built with Two-Row Pale malt and is hopped and dry-hopped with Nelson Sauvin hops. Nelson Sauvin is a relatively new variety (developed in 2000) out of New Zealand with a fruity profile and can be used for bittering, flavor, and aroma.
Anchor is rather spare with the language when it comes to describing Humming, saying only that it is:
[B]old, frothy, effervescent ale, with hints of citrus.Perhaps it speaks for itself. Let's get cracking and see if this is is really a humming brew.
Appearance: A golden body capped by two fingers of creamy off-white head that fades slowly and leaves great patchy lacing.
Aroma: Lightly spicy and citrusy hops over a mild biscuity malt body.
Taste: Very similar to what the nosed promised, the profile is composed of juicy, delicately spicy, and moderately bitter hops over a calm biscuity malt backbone. Everything is balanced excellently. Husky grain and lingering bitter hops in the finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and a little creamy with medium carbonation and a drying finish.
Drinkability: Supremely drinkable, Humming is a great accompaniment to an early fall evening.
Verdict: A new Anchor beer is always something to look forward to, and Humming Ale doesn’t disappoint. It has all of the trademark deceptive simplicity, drinkability, balance, and craftsmanship you’ve come to expect from Fritz and the gang.
Grade: A-
Note: While this review is being published in winter, the tasting notes contained within were taken when the beer was fresh in fall.
