Hill Farmstead/ Alchemist Collaboration: Walden

I was delighted to see this on tap at the Farmhouse last week. It was originally released for the Vermont Brewer's Festival while a second batch was brewed to be released elsewhere, according to the Farmhouse staff. It is described as an extra pale ale, lower in alcohol content with all the characteristics of an American pale ale.

Alcohol Content: 3.8%
IBU: ?
Malts: ?
Hops: Motueka, Amarillo, Simcoe

Price: $3.50/ Half; $6/ Full
Medium: Full pour (12 oz) into a tulip/ snifter

Aroma: Light malt sweetness, generally clean. Hops are accurately representative of a pale ale with a distinct presence but overall balanced with the malts. Hints of grapefruit, tangerine citrus, and floral notes. Lightly toasted bread in the background supports the pleasant hop aromas. Some earthy or dry vegetal matter follows the citrus tones - can be described as lemongrass.
Appearance: First glass poured was super hazy with a milky consistency. The bar manager noticed and came over with another beer poured before I could have a chance to comment on the first glass. Clear indication of an unfiltered beer that was knocked around in the beer cooler before tapping. Still, the second glass was naturally hazy but with a much better color and orange/ gold glow. Carbonation was steady with a near-white head formed to the rim. Lacing leaves behind rings of foam indicated by each gulp of beer - a beautiful sight for an empty beer glass.
Flavor: Malt sweetness is moderately low but manages to stay on the palate with the hop flavors. Amarillo provides tangerine-like citrus qualities and the overall bitterness is soft and pleasant. Maltiness remains low and is otherwise bready or a similar cereal grain. Aftertaste remains bitter while the hops and carbonation result in cleaning up malt sweetness in the finish.
Mouthfeel: I was told calcium chloride and gypsum were added to the brewing water, which helps play up a nice clean bitterness. Moderate body with a prickly sensation from carbonation. Cold, smooth start with a soft, dry finish. Slightly chalky.
Overall Impression: True chemistry from the collaborative efforts of Sean Hill and Jon Kimmich to create a sessionable beer with all the hop flavors and character American's are thirsty for. The beer is well balanced and showcases a new hop variety that I have never heard of before (Motueka).