I like a flannel print on a can. It lets me know that the brewer had fun, didn't take themselves too seriously, and I can look forward to something they, at least, enjoy. This is the kind of relaxed attitude that I think led to the rise of Yee Haw and their stable of great beer that I can't really seem to get enough of. Well, let's delve into Mill Creek's casual side.
The beer pours a remarkably dark burnt orange for a pale ale. I've seen IPAs that were this dark, but generally pale ales are... pale. This one has quite a bit of stuff floating in it that came from the bottom of the can but is now nicely suspended in the center to make a quite hazy beer. The uneven head still completely covers the top of the beer as it leaves lacing down the side of the glass. The aroma is filled with hops, and I'm not even sure that there's a malt sitting underneath it.
First sip has quite the bitter sting coming from the hops, but they don't seem to be really infusing a whole lot of flavor. As a result, the honey and bread malt is carrying remnants of fruit seeds and pine. I had very high hopes coming in, but the sip is particularly underwhelming. It has a lot of flavor, but that flavor profile isn't particularly good. Perhaps a full swig will salvage this.
Tip in is musty, yeasty bread with nominal carbonation and a bit of a citrus glaze. The middle adds a skunk to the mix as it turns worse than the sip. The finish is an unfortunate echo of the middle.
0.5/5