The newest year-round beer from Pelican Brewing Company is Paddleback Oceanic Pale Ale, taking the brewery’s pale ale offering in a New Zealand direction. Pelican recently sent me samples of the beer to review; it’s 5.7% ABV with 40 IBUs, and this bit from the press release is a good primer:

Don’t be misled by Paddleback’s modest ABV. This pale ale still packs a hoppy punch and aroma by blending Galaxy hops from Australia, and Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand. Pelican carefully selected these two hop styles to create a complex but balanced hop character with flavors of sauvignon blanc grapes for a bright and refreshing pale ale ideal for post-surf stories, kayak adventures, or warm weather patio sipping.

The general description also mentions “zesty aromas reminiscent of gooseberries and white peach.” The detail page also lists Magnum hops (presumably used for bittering), and a grain bill consisting of pilsner malt, flaked barley, and honey malt.

Appearance: Clear copper-gold color that’s nicely bright, with an ample white head of choppy, lacy foam.

Smell: Fruity with stone fruit, passion fruit, some classic Nelson Sauvin sweatiness, green berries (I don’t know if I’d say “gooseberries”). Good toasted cereal grains and fresh baked whole wheat bread in the malty body.

Taste: Green fruit peel with nettles/greens bitterness. Much more savory and spicy that fruity in flavor to me, with some melon rind and under-ripe currants. Nice nutty, grainy flavors in the malt, with hints of scones and crackers. A lingering bitterness is green and herbal, slightly menthol-like.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and nicely attenuated with a crisp, dry finish.

Overall: Perfectly decent, well-brewed (I expect no less from Pelican), with a bit more bitterness than you might expect; nothing flamboyant about it, just a nicely solid pale ale.