Lurker

Ghost Town Brewing — Oakland, CA

29 Jul 2026 · Stephen

American Pale Ale Ghost Town Brewing

5.6% ABV

Clear golden Color

Contributing Factors

Presentation ✓

Character ✓

Experience ✓

Return –

3 / 4 I'd recommend trying it

Tasting Notes

Appearance Golden, clear to lightly hazy with a white head and good retention. Clean West Coast pale ale presentation — bright and inviting without announcing anything too loud.

Aroma This is where Lurker earns its reputation. The Hallertau Blanc and Nelson combination creates a uniquely wine-like, floral aromatic profile unlike anything a purely American hop bill produces — white grape, floral, tropical fruit, and a faint lemon citrus quality. Mosaic fills in the fruit complexity underneath with berry and mango. The overall effect is refined and elegant for a pale ale — sophisticated without being pretentious.

Palate Light to medium body, quaffable and sessionable as Ghost Town promises. The Pinot Gris and lemon bar character comes through mid-palate in the best possible way — crisp white wine fruit, fresh citrus, and just enough hop bitterness to keep the whole thing anchored as a beer rather than drifting into fruit drink territory. Fresh-squeezed orange juice on the back half of the sip, bright and clean.

Finish Dry, clean, and refreshingly citrus-forward. The orange juice quality from the Nelson and Mosaic lingers with a faint floral note from the Hallertau Blanc fading last. Medium-short length, resolving completely and leaving the palate completely ready for the next sip.

The Verdict

Ghost Town operating at a different frequency than Nose Goblin and Inhume — quieter, more refined, and just as purposeful. Lurker is the pale ale that sneaks up on you. You pick it up thinking easy drinker, and find yourself thinking about it long after the can is gone. That's the ambush.

— Stephen · Contributing Factor Brewing · 29 Jul 2026