Nelson Brewing – Valhalla Hazy Pale Ale

Overview

Nelson Brewing – Valhalla Hazy Pale Ale Review

I hate to admit that it has been a while since I have grabbed a Nelson beer of any sort to drink. Nelson Brewing has been around in its present location since 1991 brewing all-natural and organic ales and lagers. Chances are they were one of the first craft breweries whose beers I tried at many of the earlier beer festivals that occurred in Vancouver and Victoria in the early 2000s.

This is a new addition to the beer line-up, and along with new flavours comes a new look for Nelson, with new fresh artwork on the cans. The beer pours a light golden colour, with high carbonation and a very bubbly,  almost creamy mousse-like head that is very long-lasting.

As expected with the additions of Citra, Mosaic and Simcoe hops added as a late addition, there are aromatics of tropical and stone fruit. This ale is very light-bodied, making it very crushable to drink, but the tropical and stone fruit flavours ( peach, pineapple, tangerine) that enticed me to dig in and sip away were a lot lighter than I was wanting or expected. Even with that, it makes for a very refreshing and approachable pale ale, and a great beer to get your non-hoppy beer drinking friends interested in trying hops!

 

  • (4.1)
    Appearance
  • (4)
    Aroma
  • (3.6)
    Palate
  • (3.8)
    Flavour
  • (3.9)
    Overall Enjoyment
3.9

About This Beverage

  • Colour: Gold
  • Head Size & Retention: Above average head/retention
  • Carbonation: Well Carbonated
  • Clarity: Cloudy
  • Balance: More Hoppy
  • Drinkability: Extremely Crushable
  • Enjoyment: I would recommend this beer to a friend
  • Malt Characteristics: Light
  • Hop Characteristics: Citrusy, Tropical
  • Other Flavours/Aroma: Stone Fruit: Apricot, Peach etc
  • Palate: Creamy, Soft or Silky, light bodied

Summary

Late additions of Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops provide lots of tropical, citrus, and stone fruit flavour and aroma. Notes of passion fruit, peach, tangerine, and pineapple are complemented by a soft mouthfeel. ⁠

Pros

  • A nice new addition to the Nelson Brewing line up

Cons

  • It would have been nice to taste those late addition hops a bit more. A little too light in taste for me
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