Polydactyl

Ghost Town Brewing — Oakland, CA

28 Jul 2026 · Stephen

American Pale Ale Ghost Town Brewing

5.6% ABV

40 IBU

Golden, light amber Color

Contributing Factors

Presentation ✓

Character ✓

Experience ✓

Return –

3 / 4 I'd recommend trying it

Tasting Notes

Appearance Golden to light amber, clear and bright with a persistent white head. Clean and inviting in the glass — a classic pale ale presentation that sets proper expectations.

Aroma Orange rind leads immediately — that's the Amarillo doing its signature work. Citra stacks tropical citrus and a little tangerine brightness on top, and Mosaic fills in the middle with pineapple, mango, and a subtle berry note. The malt backbone comes through in the background as a soft, clean grain sweetness that keeps the aroma grounded rather than purely hop-forward.

Palate Medium-light body, smooth and well-balanced. The fruit from the hop bill — orange, pineapple, tropical — carries through the middle with the Mosaic complexity building as the beer warms slightly. At 30 IBU the bitterness is present but gentle, working with the malt rather than against it. This is exactly the balance Ghost Town describes — neither the malt nor the hops are trying to win.

Finish Clean, medium-short, with a pleasant citrus-hop dryness on the back end. The orange rind from the Amarillo lingers briefly before fading cleanly. No harshness, no residual sweetness — just a refreshing, balanced close that makes the next sip easy.

The Verdict

Polydactyl is Ghost Town operating at a different frequency than Nose Goblin or Inhume — quieter, more restrained, and just as purposeful. A beautifully balanced pale ale that respects the style. Named for a six-toed cat, built with six-toed precision.

— Stephen · Contributing Factor Brewing · 28 Jul 2026