8track XPA

In early May, the Missus and I dealt with a prolonged power outage. Before it got too dark, I decided to review a 473mL can of 8track XPA from Chatham, Ontario’s Sons of Kent Brewing Company. 8track clocks in at a not quite rowdy but not too sorry 5.7% alcohol.

The beer is a cloudy orange-gold number, with a fluffy white head. It has a citrus-dominated aroma with a whiff of bitterness. The flavour is quite restrained, but not buttoned down—there are notes of tangy tangerine, a whisper of grapefruit, and a bit of peachy sweetness. The finish is short and fairly dry, but not as bitter as I’d have preferred.

This was a pretty pleasant ale with a session-friendly vibe, but a respectable percentage. It’d be a banger to bring to a party, but it fits in a slightly odd niche, what with it being only modestly flavourful, but slightly stronger than baseline. There are enough APAs that have less boom but more flavour that makes this beer a bit of an anomaly, but that said, I’d definitely buy it again. In short—odd weight, but pretty nice taste.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10.