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Beer Reviews

Yellow Card APA

Copper Canyon Brewery
Southfield, MI
USA
http://www.coppercanyonbrewery.com

Style: American Pale Ale
ABV: 5.5%

Rings’s Rating:
   (World class.)


Comments:
To review from my initial coverage of the brewery, Copper Canyon is located in Southfield, Michigan, near the intersection of M-10 and I-696, although one has to drive over the river and through the woods upon finding an exit from the highway to find the front door.

Southfield is more or less a business district, full of office buildings, strip malls, shopping centers and tons of traffic. And this little brewpub fits right in, with a bright urban and slightly upscale atmosphere to accompany a hearty menu featuring all the “American” fare you’d expect from an Applebee’s or a Chili’s, but with a little local twist and a couple extra bucks tacked on the prices.

Their beer ain’t bad either.

On this visit, I tried one of their seasonals, Yellowcard APA (American Pale Ale), which turned out to be an excellent choice.

Served unfiltered, this is orange in color with a light hoppy aroma as the glass greets your nose. Going down with a creamy, with a lacy glass cling, it has a light, sweet nose and a rolling hoppy tang that lingers on the finish. There is a soft, herbal quality here that blends magically with the creamy sweetness. This is an absolutely wonderful brew and an unexpected surprise. While certainly not extreme, it’s subtle, complex, and balanced.

Because it’s a seasonal, I don’t know how long it will be on tap or if it will return, but if you’re on hand, do not miss a chance to try it … and make sure you try it first, before throwing other flavors on your palate. Give it a couple good sips to sink in and enjoy.

Reviewed by Rings on November 22, 2010.

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