Zappa Pale Ale - Tasting Notes

It is time for a tasting of my latest hoppy pale ale - this one using a newish variety of hop, Zappa, which is a former wild hop from New Mexico.  I had read that the hop produces bold but unusual flavors and I'd confirm that is a correct assessment.  It has a flavor profile unlike any other hop I've tasted - it's fruity but it also has a number of other characteristics that are more earthy and grassy than most hops.

I used 6 oz of the hop in the fermenter for this batch (backing down from the 8 oz of dry hops I've started to move to with other beers).  I brewed the beer in Late June, Kegged after 12 days, and have been drinking it the last couple weeks - I'm happy to say I've been very much enjoying the hop flavor it's delivered.  The beer came out to be just under 4% ABV so it's very easy drinking which is nice and I can always go for another - very good summer beer.

Anyway, I'm drinking this beer quickly so better record some notes before it's gone.

Tasting Notes:

• Aroma:
• Very interesting aroma.  Slightly fruity with a citrus like character - bitter grapefruit-like smell.  Also has a pine and marijuana like aroma.  Maybe an earthy character as well.  Sometimes I think it smells a bit like gasoline.  It's not really like any other hop I've had before.  Not sure I get any malt or yeast character from it
• Appearance:
• Golden and very clear.  It pours with a 2 finger head that lasts several minutes and leaves lacing on the glass
• Flavor:
• Fruity and piney hop character up front.  The hop flavor lingers into the finish.  There is a medium level of bitterness that lasts quite some time after the sip.  There is maybe a light bit of sweet malt in the finish as well but the balance is strongly towards hop flavor and bitterness
• Mouthfeel:
• Medium-light bodied and pretty dry.  Smooth and easy drinking beer.
• Overall:
• The hop character is very strong in both aroma and flavor and I find it to be enjoyable.  It is a complex hop that creates many flavors by itself which is nice as well.  I've done a few samplings of the beer next to several fairly fresh Tree House beers and thought the level of hop character delivered by this beer was fairly close to them.  This is a hop I'd gladly use again - will try it as a component in a blend most likely.