Taproom Talk

At this point, I’m almost positive Mr. Henry was talking about The Anchor Brewing Company’s Liberty Ale- this stuff is absolutely phenomenal! With a thick head that slowly disappeared, leaving traces along the sides of my glass, and a pleasant floral aroma, this is a coppery, clean, crisp ale that deserves your full attention. Liberty’s taste is smooth and delicate with a slight hoppiness to it and an aftertaste that is quite satisfying. I picked up slight fruity traces in its taste (that matched its aroma), but none of the poignant hops usually present in a Pale Ale. If you’re like me and enjoy hoppy beers, you’ll still find this beer incredibly worthy.

This is truly an excellent brew, crafted by a perfectionist and respected by those with discriminating tastes. It’s nice to finally realize, after all these years, what made Patrick Henry so passionate.

I really enjoy Pale Ales. The bitter taste of these well hopped beers makes drinking them a pleasure; however, sometimes the hoppiness goes over the top. Some beers do it well, like Tuppers Hop Pocket Ale from The Old Dominion Brewing Company. Others though, don’t pull it off and create an almost disagreeable drinking experience.

Three Floyds’ Alpha King Pale Ale is, unfortunately, one of those beers. This seriously hoppy ale had an aggressive bitterness to it that I’m sorry to say, I didn’t enjoy. It has a deep dark clear bronze color and a nice hoppy nose to it; however, the taste assaulted me.

I like bitter beers. I seek them out. But the Alpha King is one beer I’ll pass on.

With a Soviet-style city name, The Magic Hat Brewery’s #9 “not quite Pale Ale” is a fresh capitalistic taste that can’t help but bring a smile to one’s face. With a big head that slowly diminished over time and a clear gold, smoooooth body, this fine brew has an excellent taste! A fruity Pale Ale-ish essence greets you as you sip upon a slightly bubbly smooth bodied beer with a hint of apricot in its taste. I also picked up traces of vanilla as well as the cornerstone bitter hoppy taste of any Pale Ale.

This is definitely an extra unique brew among a distinctive line of beers from the crazy cats in Vermont. Give it a try and you’ll know why!

I’m Irish; therefore, Guinness is Mother’s milk. If, however, I wasn’t Irish, I may consider Dogfish Head’s Shelter Pale Ale Mother’s milk. This coppery ale has a smooth, malty, non-overpowering taste that makes it one of my most favorite beers. Its head is extremely light and its smell has hints of caramel- when I drink it, I feel like there is a party in my mouth and everyone is invited!

Dogfish Head is a fabulous brewery that makes some wild beers. I haven’t had one from this brewery that I didn’t enjoy, but the Shelter Pale Ale is by far the standout among giants. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Pale Ales.

Allow me to explain- I’ve almost never had a bad beer from the great state of Maine. This past summer, I happened to obtain a case of Geary’s Pale Ale and I have since enjoyed every bottle. This hoppy ale is a coppery color with a nice bite. It is quite a crisp drink that is by far the best pale ale I’ve had from the land of blueberries and lobsters.

Come to think of it, I have actually had a bad beer from Maine: Blueberry Beer. For some odd reason, the folks in Maine decided to brew a beer and add blueberry taste to it. I love blueberry muffins and even blueberry pie, but blueberry beer is just plain bad. I’ve only found this beer when I’ve gone to Maine, so hopefully it’s just a local thing.

Bottom line: Geary’s Pale Ale is a top notch barley sandwich, worthy of a beer snob’s indulgence. Blueberry beer isn’t.