Avery Salvation Strong Pale Ale

I have never not liked a beer from Avery and the streak continues with Salvation.

This strong pale was noticeably lighter in color than most other pales I've had but that in no way detracted from my enjoyment of this beer.

Sweet on the nose with Belgian candi sugar, grapefruit, lemon and some spice, this American version definitely does its Belgian Brethren justice. Even at 9% ABV I couldn't get very much alcohol on first whiff.

Salvation has a decent amount of body and it only get chewier as it warms. It's light on the bubbles but it's just the right amount to not be drowned out in sweetness.

The alcohol also helps to overcome what could have been too sweet but instead is a perfect accompaniment to the slight hops bitterness. Overall a great beer that I think just tops Goose Island's Matilda, definitely outranks Russian River's Damnation, and slaughters North Coast's Pranqster(Golden Ale).  

I will never pass up the chance to drink Avery. I'm REALLY looking forward to opening up a Kaiser that I have been cellaring since last year. It's fall and that means new bottlings!

Goose Island Matilda

Belgian-style. When I hear that I think fruit, I think sweeter. It's the yeast, and it seems to be Europe in general. Quick, name an American beer that's on the sweeter side of an accepted style. I can' think of one. Almost all pale ales from the US lean towards the bitter end. Kona's Fire Rock Pale has got a little citrus in it but nowhere near the sweetness of Goose Island's Matilda.

Sweetness isn't a bad thing, I love Belgian and Belgian-style beer. It adds an extra nuance to the taste. Another layer of flavor is a good thing in my mind. As in wine, a complex beer is a good one. I don't want one note wonders, I want something to think about. What's that flavor in there? What's that one? I also want it to last. Matilda has both of those in spades. Not to mention it's pretty to look at. I want one of those glasses. I wish I could have taken my own picture, this one is from their site, but D and I were with some friends and I felt a tad self-conscious whipping out the camera.

Hazy burnt orange, the aroma was near non-existent. There was a bit of spice, maybe some vanilla. Regardless this was not a nose torcher. This is a Belgian Strong Pale so at 8%ABV I was thinking I might catch some alcohol but it was well masked both on the nose and on my tongue.

Great bubbles, not too much, and with a light medium to medium body. There was a bit of sourness, similar to a saison (Dupont or Du BUFF). Lots of sweet tropical fruit and honey with just a touch of bitterness on the back end. I enjoyed this one and with that 8% it warmed me up a bit. Good beer.

Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale

Solid, Solid, Solid. True to style. This is a Deschutes Brewing staple that you can never go wrong bringing to the party(provided you don't mind everyone drinking YOUR beer). Not too bitter, not too crisp. This is what a pale ale should be. A little sweet citrus in the background that keeps things lively and tones down the mild bitterness. Cascade hops are Oregon's finest and they shine here. I've got a case chilling right now.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

I distinctly remember trying this beer for the first time from a cooler on our porch when I was in high school. First thought ever of Sierra Nevada? Bleh! Bitter. It took me a long time to come back to it.

Sierra Nevada is one of the first craft brewing companies. Their omnipresent pale ale though is one of the few beers you will find in grocery stores though despite how large they've become. I've seen their Torpedo which I reviewed. They have their Summerfest which I will be reviewing, and strangely I've seen their Bigfoot once, it's a barleywine. Aside from stores IN Chico, Ca where they are based you are pretty much left with the choice between Pale Ale, and, Pale Ale. Which, in the end, is not a bad choice. In fact, of the commercially available Pales I have tried and can get at a regular grocery store I would rank it third behind Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale and Kona Brewing's Fire Rock.

Coming off the top of the glass is boiler plate Pale, a teeny bit of pine and then, beer. It pours a golden amber color. Not quite as coppery as the Torpedo(IPA) but a nice color.
It's quite a bit more bitter than many Pale's which is good and bad. If I'm going off of strictly style then I don't think it fits as well but it's a very solid offering just going off of taste alone. It's a clean, crisp, pale that won't blow you away but will leave you wanting another one. Just ask my NorCal friends who seem to own stock in Sierra the way it goes down.

Kona Brewing Fire Rock Pale Ale

It's been 1 month and 3 days since Danielle and I were married in Hawaii. I just wanted to share two of many favorite pictures from the trip. Both of these are from the top of Haleakala volcano while we were waiting for the sunset. My wife and I to the right and my brother and I below. Haleakala is one of Danielle and I's favorite spots and we come here for the sunset ever time we make it to Maui to see her family. Next time we are hoping to hike into the crater and camp which would be awesome!



Ok well since this is supposed to be about beer of course I'll review a beer from Hawaii. Kona Brewing Fire Rock Pale Ale. We drank quite a few of these over the course of the week leading up to the wedding. I have to say I prefer them over the staple Sierra Nevada Pale Ale too. They are both good but Fire Rock has got a subtle sweetness to it that makes it that much more nuanced. Not quite as bitter and definitely a good choice if you can get the variety pack at Costco with their Longboard Lager.

Fancy Beer...Wing Walker Pale Ale

My college roommate and friend(The Lawyer) moving in virtually next door is either a great thing or a dangerous one depending on how you look at it. Great thing, best friend next door means man time, games, talking about politics, cigars, beer, whiskey, scotch. Dangerous thing, best friend next door with scotch, whiskey, and as he called it, "fancy beer" which was a leftover from Super Bowl. There has been more than a few times that I have done the long walk home after one too many of any of the aforementioned drinks. Ok, so long is relative, it's probably 200 yards, but when you walk 200 yards NOT in a straight line it gets longer!
On to the "fancy beer" which The Lawyer says it's my duty to drink. So drink I shall.
R.J. King Wing Walker Pale Ale from City Brewing Company in Wisconsin. I liked the label, made it look sophisticated. Sophisticated AND fancy I'm moving up in the world here. Too bad the taste didn't live up to it's moniker. This beer was neither high flying nor, daring. It was pretty pedestrian. Aside from the huge head that lasted forever and the nice clear reddish amber hue the beer just wasn't a standout. The flavors were a bit muddled. Little bit of citrus and pine on the nose but not much. All in all? I drank it.

Beer Snobs at Superbowl and a New Pale Ale

Is it a rule at Superbowl parties that the only beer you are allowed to drink must end with the word "light" or "lite"? I was actually called a beer snob for bringing a Sam Adams Brewer's pack over.

Thank goodness I wasn't the only one who appreciates something more than yellow fizzy water.

I was pleasantly surprised to see some of this excellent Pale Ale from Pyramid Brewing. Pyramid's new seasonal pale ale "Fling" is a pretty good addition to their lineup. A little less hoppy than their Thunderhead IPA it's a nice bridge for anyone who doesn't like IPA levels of bitterness but wants something with more bite than one of those wizz water beers. Nice aroma of hoppy spice on the nose and a clear golden hue with a decent head. Hopefully this one will become a consistent member of Pyramid's rotation.

If you read my review on their "Audacious" Apricot Ale I would put my vote in to scrap the fruity and replace it with pale.