Einstok - Icelandic - Arctic Pale Ale

Welcome to Iceland and a taste of their Einstok Icelandic “Arctic” Pale Ale. An interesting beer for sure. It had some flavor, much more in the lager taste vs a pale ale, especially for one that is “tripled hop”. For a beer with a lot of hops, they must be importing and using simple hops and filtering it a lot. Definitely higher on the Malt side which gives the overpowering lager feel. But again this is a beer from Iceland and they love lagers so they will gear it more towards a lager with adding in some flavor of the hops to make it a pale ale and change it up by calling it an “Arctic Pale Ale”, I guess the Arctic is because they use local waters.

Do they make hops in Iceland? is it even possible?

Overall I would rate this in the lager category and for a lager, I would say it has nice flavors and tones. The color is a golden brown and clear, which presents more a lager/amber look vs a pale ale. if I was rating in the pale ale category I would just pass on this.

But as I said, if I was in Iceland I would be happy to be drinking this beer.

From them…

Brewed 60 miles south of the Arctic circle, We balanced 3 kinds of hops with the pure Icelandic waters to create an ale unlike any other. It can only be described as an Arctic Pale Ale and its truly one of a kind. Cascade hops give it American Character, While Northern Brewer and Hallertau Tradition add just enough bitterness this ale refreshingly Icelandic - and make everything else Pale in comparison.

ABV 5.6