Black Sheep Brewery’s Pathmaker is their American-style IPA — a bold departure from the Yorkshire brewery’s traditional ales into modern craft territory. Black Sheep are best known for their flagship bitter and ales in the classic English tradition, but Pathmaker shows they can operate confidently at the hop-forward end of the spectrum too. The name suggests someone charting new territory, which feels appropriate for a brewery stepping into the American IPA style.
Tasting Notes
Pathmaker pours a clear golden amber with a white head. The nose is immediately bold — citrus peel, tropical fruit, pine resin, and a general hop intensity that signals this is not going to be a quiet drink. On the palate the hops are assertive and confident: grapefruit and tropical fruit upfront, a solid hop bitterness building through the middle, and a long, dry, resinous finish that lingers satisfyingly. The malt base is present and provides balance, but this is firmly a hop-forward beer.
Verdict
Serve cold and drink fresh. Pathmaker is a very good American-style IPA from a brewery that’s earned the right to call itself one of Yorkshire’s finest. It would satisfy anyone who loves the style and might surprise people who think of Black Sheep purely in terms of their traditional ales. Worth seeking out — a genuinely bold and accomplished beer.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.