Three cheers for esters! The same thing that gives tequila and whiskey vanilla notes, also gives Captain Lawrence Brewing Co Golden Delicious vanilla and apple flavors. Of course, the barrels that age Golden Delicious were once used for apple brandy. Apple esters wouldn’t exist naturally in the wood—that came from the previously aged brandy—but the caramel and vanilla flavors come directly from wood-aging. Caramel apple beer? What could be better?

Golden Delicious is a tripel, a strong pale ale. The alcohol content is not listed on the bottle, and the website is unclear on this point, as well. It was available at my local distributor in a 750 ml, and, judging from my reaction, I’m pretty sure this weighed in at around 9–11% alcohol. I finished the bottle—it just tasted better and better with each sip.

Besides the caramel apple, Golden Delicious has a nice spicy finish due to dry hopping. The Amarillo hops add a touch of citrus that complements the cider-y body. This is a great pale ale. At my local, it was $13 for the bottle—expensive for beer. But, as far as beer goes, it doesn’t get much better than Golden Delicious.