Fire Station 5 Steam Pumper IPA

Fire Station 5 Steam Pumper IPA settled into a slightly cloudy, green tea colored hue in the glass with moderate carbonation feeding a fluffy, off-white head.  Pine, tropical fruit, and stone fruit stand out in the moderately aromatic head, although less perfume-heavy than most tropical slanted IPAs.

Fire Station 5 Steam Pumper IPA opened with a modest but gripping bittersweet hop start that hinted at pine mingled with mango and papaya before mellowing into a semi-sweet, fruity center that darkened and warmed in the long fade.

Fire Station 5 Steam Pumper IPA stands out from the rest of the Fire Station 5 line I tried, but as an IPA it falls squarely in the "good... not great" category.

Fire Station 5 Fire Boat Amber Ale

Fire Station 5 Fire Boat Amber Ale poured a hazy acorn color into the glass, with slight carbonation leading to a cream colored, lumpy head.  The nose was dominated by biscuits, pizza dough, and a slightly sharp but shapeless hop aroma.

Fire Station 5 Fire Boat Amber Ale opened with strong minerality and slight acidity from the carbonation before a weak, Fat Tire like chewy pizza dough middle took over.  Some subtle citrus brightened the ale as it faded and warmed into a yeast close.

Fire Station 5 Fire Boat Amber Ale is reminiscent of dozens of standard amber ales, but never quite reaches any of their highs.

Fire Station 5 Golden Brigade Blonde Ale

Fire Station 5 Golden Brigade Blonde Ale had a honey-hued body disrupted by heavy carbonation trailing to a soapy white head.  The nose was nondescript, with weak aromas of dry malt and barely detectable fruity hops.

Fire Station 5 Golden Brigade Blonde Ale opened with a mineral water start and an extremely light wheat bread background.  Light, lemon hops added a touch of brightness to the ale, but overall it was pretty flat and lifeless.  There wasn't much of an ending... it petered off into a watery finish.

There is nothing bad about Fire Station 5 Golden Brigade Blonde Ale, but the absolute lack of body and flavor make this a poor contender for anything other than a thirst quencher on a hot day.