The Kernel - Pale Ale Amarillo

You sure would think I'd be sick of Kernel Pale Ales by now, wouldn't you? To me that's like saying you're sick of having more than one flavour of ice cream or you're sick of there being more than one type of cute puppy in the entire animal kingdom. You can't have too much of a good thing because, by definition, that would make it a bad thing... And you've already said it's a good thing...

This single hopped Pale Ale pours a lovely light tan with a blonde hue, producing a generous 2-3 finger head (though I was pouring like an idiot tonight, so that can probably come down to 1.5) that leaves light speckling. The aroma is a heady Amarillo assault, but more a bloodless coup than a full on Bay of Pigs type situation. Amarillo really is a special hop, it's instantly recognisable by smell and by taste and can be used all over the place when it comes to brewing. It definitely deserves to be single hopped and I don't think there's a better brewery to do it.

It's as deliciously smooth and refreshing as every other Kernel Pale Ale but this has a much deeper, pine element that swathes in before the light, tingly, bitterness that arrives fashionably late. I could down this in a few seconds, it's got such an inviting aroma and such a deliciously round body that lends itself to those wonderful pine notes as perfectly as Tom lends himself to Jerry's 50's style tomfoolery/ultra-violence.

Another in a long list of Kernel beers that have struck me dumb with beer fuelled excitement.

Food suggestion: This would go great with some fresh fish, most likely salmon but I can see this going with tuna too. In fact, this would go great with sushi! Smash out the sashimi and get some Amarillo on the go! Boom! Winner!

Drink this if you like: The Kernel. Drink this if you like beer in general.