Yesterday I was in San Jose, California having Gordon Biersch Maibock and Marzen, and after many airline delays, I made it to Nashville about 2 a.m. So what better way to relax after some crazy travel than to grab a beer. Right across the street from my hotel was the Blackstone Restaurant & Brewery. I had visited here a couple years ago when I was here for work, but most recently, my sister brought me a growler of their Dry Hopped Red when I was at home over Christmas. I had a pretty good time, because when I stopped here for lunch, I got to see them brewing (which is difficult to see in the background of the photo).
Numbers: ~6% ABV, ~225 Calories
Appearance & Aroma: It was a clear golden color with a soapy looking head. There was a bit of a malty aroma, but it was hard to tell since they’re brewing today and the entire restaurant smells like a mash tun.
Taste & Feel: The beer was light-medium bodied, and a crisp mouthfeel with carbonation and bitterness up front. After the hint of bitterness up front, there was a pilsner-like bready malt flavor in the middle. The finish was malty with a dull hop bitterness.
Food Pairing: I had a burger for lunch, and this was a good pairing for it. The crispness helped to wash down the flavorful burger and the light malty flavors and hop bitterness went nicely together with it.
Overall Impression: I really enjoyed the hoppy aroma and flavor from their Dry Hopped Red, and I think expected a lot more hoppiness from an APA. While I expect a pale ale to be fairly balanced, this one leaned a bit toward the malty side, and the bitterness was not a bright, hoppy flavor. Perhaps it was a little old and the hop flavor had faded quite a bit. Overall it was an OK beer, but not one I’d reach for again.
My Rating: 
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