The Atlas Brewing Company has built their entire lineup of craft beers on the concept of what precisely would taste best after trekking across the rolling hills of Scotland for a day. Considered the beverage equivalent of the long, cathartic sigh of satisfaction as one sits down on the porch after the hike, Atlas has sought out a combination of flavours and smells to snap you into their backyard with a quick crack of the ale can. Brewing in the village of Nairn, Atlas is surrounded by age-old history and architecture — one of the oldest fishing villages known to exist. Atlas was started in 2002 and was eventually brought into the fold of the Sinclair Breweries a few years later, opening up the smaller brewer to better ingredients and technologies. They deliver unto us the Wayfarer — an English style IPA with tasty hops and a sharp citrus edge. Serves well at 8°C and should be enjoyed right after your hike.
Pours a toasted oat, golden amber colour with a frothy white head that calms down to a nice thin layer of foam.
A strong scent of mixed fruit — mostly apples — and floral hops from the get-go. Subtler notes of sharp lemon zest, white grapes, a touch of yeast and biscuit malt around the edges.
This beer follows the nose fairly well — the simple mix of crisp fruit flavour and floral hops is sweet and refreshing. The citrus component, especially the lemon zest, comes on quite strong, almost to the point of being tart. A touch of malt leavens the citrus but ultimately there is quite a bitter, fruit zest flavour across the whole taste of this beer. Finished dry and with a slightly astringent mouthfeel.
A rich bodied IPA that’s fruity and with a dry finish from the Scottish highlands? A hearty cottage pie with garden fresh peas and carrots.