What's a Wisconsin Mild Ale? We have no idea. We Googled it and came
up with only four results, all of which mentioned this beer. But
apparently, we're tasting a Wisconsin-style Mild Ale this week:
Cattail Ale, beer number 7 in our exploration of Lakefront Brewery's
variety eight-pack from Milwaukee, WI. From what we've read, Cattail
could be a cross between an American Pale Ale and an English Pale Mild
Ale, maybe even a Golden Ale. Cattail Ale is brewed according to the
now-defunct Reinheitsgebot (German purity law of 1516), using only
water, malt, hops and yeast. It's hopped with Kent Golding and
finished with a California Ale yeast strain.

The Taste
Lakefront Brewery: Cattail AlePours a bright, pale light gold beer
with a very fine carbonation that creates a thin white head,
dissipating quickly to a ringed lace. Soft herbal and hay aromas in
the nose, with a hint of stone fruit. Tight and prickly, with a crisp
carbonation bite on the tongue. Lemony hop smack up front and a
thinned-out splash of apricot fruitiness amongst a bit of malty
sweetness. White-grape-like in acidity and flavor. Some oils attach to
the palate and smooth things out. Malt character gets crackery and
husky at times. Residual sweetness and rind in the drying finish.

Final Thoughts
Beer geeks will probably argue the style of this beer until the end of
days, and it looks like about half of those who reviewed it on
BeerAdvocate.com are not fond of it. As for us, we'd probably lean
toward an English Pale Mild Ale or Golden Ale. But who cares? The
important thing is how it tastes: mediocre at best. Yes, it's meant to
be on the lighter side, but it just doesn't impress us. The aroma is
off and unappealing, and the flavors just don't sync up to create
something we'd want to have a session with. Might be good for washing
down some grub, but that's about it. Cattail Ale is 5.16 percent
alcohol by volume.

For more info: lakefrontbrewery.com

Respect Beer.

http://beeradvocate.com/news/stories_read/710