iowa's pale ale choices are lacking

hoboscratch · Post by **hoboscratch** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 11:13 am

For some reason, SNPA just doesn't do it for me anymore so I've been trying some pale ales that you'll see at hyvee. Honestly, one of the ones I like is Boulevard PA. Also Millstream's Iowa Pale Ale. I haven't tried the Bell's yet, since for the same price I can get 2 Hearted. Anyone had any of the other pale ales off our state's shelves that they like? I've contemplated trying the Point pale ale just because you can get it in a can. But I am sure I will regret that.

kurtford · Post by **kurtford** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 12:44 pm

Last time I had a Point pale ale I felt that it wasn't hoppy enough and just really didn't do much for me. Sierra Nevada Pale ale is usually my go to pale ale as well(easy to find and doesn't break the bank). I've kinda switched over to light American lagers for the summer, with home brews and the occasional treat yourself brews here and there.

Throwing out an idea here,
I know that everyone has busy summer schedules but I was thinking that it would be nice to put together a couple more tastings. I doesn't have to be as elaborate as some of our previous tastings have been. We could pick a nice summer style(pale ale, ipas, summer ales, wheat ales, fruit beers, etc.), set a date, and make of list of brews that people want to contribute. It would also help out the guys studying for the BJCP work on their skills on particular styles of beer.

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 3:24 pm

I like the Boulevard too but often get the Singlewide instead. I often find it for $5.99 a sixer which is tough to beat. I usually end up with an IPA as most local pales aren't hoppy enough. I wish we could get Firestone's Pale 31 out here. Nice hoppiness and about 4.6% ABV.

hoboscratch · Post by **hoboscratch** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 3:56 pm

Yeah, usually I just will get 2 hearted or something. But on days like today, a 4.5-5% is nice. I don't know if anyone has had the Green Line Pale Ale by Goose Island, its only on tap in Chicago area, but its in that abv range with an awesome bright hop aroma. Amarillo and Simcoe for aroma, Columbus for bittering. Sure I can make something like that, but sometimes I just want to go get a sixer!

tompb · Post by **tompb** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 10:53 pm

New Belguim Somersault is an awesome PA in my opinion. Very well balanced and easy to drink. Probably not hoppy enough for the masses though.

brownbeard · Post by **brownbeard** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 7:53 am

Another vote for summersault. I think it's a nice summer beer.

hoboscratch · Post by **hoboscratch** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 8:23 am

kurtford wrote: Throwing out an idea here,
I know that everyone has busy summer schedules but I was thinking that it would be nice to put together a couple more tastings. I doesn't have to be as elaborate as some of our previous tastings have been. We could pick a nice summer style(pale ale, ipas, summer ales, wheat ales, fruit beers, etc.), set a date, and make of list of brews that people want to contribute. It would also help out the guys studying for the BJCP work on their skills on particular styles of beer.

By the way, I like this idea.

I've been contemplating trying the Somersault, but over the weekend I was looking for something hoppy and in the abv range that I could have a few throughout the day and not get hammered. I think I'll just have to get brewing and make a couple pales ASAP...

BrewHound · Post by **BrewHound** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 8:43 am

SN torpedo isn't bad

brownbeard · Post by **brownbeard** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 10:03 am

BrewHound wrote:SN torpedo isn't bad

It's delicious. But I think he was looking for lower gravity.

Post by **JimPotts** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 10:22 am

Yeah, a lower-gravity but still hoppy "grass-cutter" pale ale would be great.

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kurtford · Post by **kurtford** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 6:58 pm

The tasting idea doesn't have to have crazy beers from a far off land, it could be anything of a certain picked style that we discuss in full and possibly take down notes on. Kinda like a club meeting that someone hosts and they request a certain style but a little more in-dept and organized.

I've been meaning to try somersault but I didn't feel like being disappointed at the time, I'll have to pick up a sixer now knowing that it's good.

johnnyik · Post by **johnnyik** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:48 am

I really like Summit's Extra Pale Ale and Horizon Red Ale as easy to drink hoppy beers.

tompb · Post by **tompb** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:53 pm

I'll second the Summit EPA. A very nice English Pale Ale.

tompb · Post by **tompb** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:54 pm

I'm a fan of the Gold Sovereign Ale as well.

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:37 pm

That is my summer project this year. I want to perfect a light pale ale around 4.5% that screams hop aroma and flavor but has high drinkability for those long canoe trips. Hope to deput a fresh batch at Beer Camp.