Spring Fling Ale -- Blue Point Brewing Co. (Patchogue, NY)

Not quite sure what Blue Point is going for this time... it's called a "copper ale" on the label (which made me think "maibock") and yet the malts never showed up. Eek.

Characteristics: Pale orange-yellow color, light body, average carbonation, slight yeasty notes quickly drawn into battle by piney hops.

Minor Gripes: My mega-hop anti-bias is pretty well documented in these parts... this isn't exactly the Troegs Hopback Amber, but the limited biscuit malts here just can't keep up.

Bottom Line: If you're on the east coast and looking for a locavore alternative to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, then the Spring Fling should work just fine. And though I wanted to say that the Otter Creek Copper Ale was superior, it seems they are pretty close (assuming my tastes haven't shifted over 5+ years of occasional reviews).

Rating: 4.75 / 10