Sheltowee 502 Amber Ale
A little over a year ago, the Sheltowee IPA and Golden Ales began to show up on the shelves of Liquor Barn, a Kentucky beer retailer. Now, the Liquor Barns have apparently commissioned the Bluegrass Brewing Company to add two more beers to the Sheltowee arsenel--the 502 Amber Ale and the Gloomsucker Black Ale. The Amber ale is best described as moderate and very drinkable. It pours with a copper-amber hue that could be a little bolder on the amber and illudes to lighter toasty, malty character later in the aroma and flavor. The beer carries a nice foamstand and light lacing that lasted the session. Quite bready, malty, with light toast, caramel, and yeasty-fruity notes (although subdued). The moderate hop flavor and bitterness blend well with the yeasty spiciness and never offends the drinker. Light pine and citrus notes give a balance to the sweetness. Malty and rich in the body with a smooth, bitterness that lingers into the finish. A great sessionable beer that pairs well with pizza, pasta, and any other bready, starchy plates.