BEER REVIEW: 388

BREWER: Long Man, East Sussex, England

STYLE: American Pale Ale

ABV: 4.8%

VESSEL: 500ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 14th  March 2025

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Rising Giant sets out with early promise but ultimately doesn’t stretch quite far enough. It’s a beer that has some solid moments but lacks the punch to make it truly memorable.

The best part of the experience is the nose. A pleasant raspberry aroma with hints of lemon gives a bright, inviting start. It raises expectations—perhaps a little too much.

Rising Giant is easy drinking, no question. But easy doesn’t always mean exciting.  Once past the strong nose, things begin to flatten out. Muted fruit notes—some blackcurrant, a touch of tobacco—but nothing that really stands up or carries through. It’s pleasant but feels underpowered. A little extra bitterness could have helped give it more direction.

Rising Giant has the foundation of a solid APA but doesn’t quite get there. The nose is the highlight, but the rest struggles to keep up. It’s drinkable but underwhelming—like a beer that had the potential to stand tall but just didn’t grow into it.

Sammy’s Rating: 67%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Unlike a rising giant… I’m going to keep this short.

In the late 20th century, pale ale in the range of 4 to 7 percent ABV became the definitive American craft beer. Cascade and American C-hop were used in abundance providing floral, juicy, pine and pith characteristics to the beer. An APA would be slightly sweet, have a fairly high hop content bringing along bitterness and then finish dry.

So, our brewer today, Long Man (from East Sussex, England), have put together this American Pale ale using only the choicest US hops (we’re not told which, but I’d put my caravan on cascade being involved) and coming in at 4.8%. Rising Giant starts off a little sweet with a dash of burnt citrus upfront as well. With a lovely soft mouthfeel this brew then moves along to a good long bitter hoppy middle and finish, then dries out a little at the very end.

Basically, Long Man have TOTALLY nailed the style…

And it’s a really nice drop t’boot.

Jymi’s Rating: 79%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 73%

MOB review next weekend: BLACKCURRANT KIR ROYALE by VAULT CITY

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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