Show 22: A Beery Shade of Pale
Prebeer Preamble: The beer style known as American Pale Ale (A.K.A. “APA”) is popular, easy to drink, and great candidate for a homebrewing project. With that in mind, today we pop the top on a couple of “extra pale” commercial examples, to see what it’s all about. I’m joined yet again by SoB veteran co-drinker Eric, as we venture beyond the pale…ale…
Beer #1: Eric and I start with some Green Flash Extra Pale Ale. From a San Diego brewery that’s NOT Stone, this new kid on the block seems to be getting pretty popular. Does it strike that critical balance between bitter and sweet, or does the West Coast’s love of Humulus lupulus skew the drinking experience?
Interbeer Interlude: Build-A-Beer Workshop.”The Return.” After more than half a decade, I’m returning to my beloved hobby of homebrewing, and I’m taking SoB along for the ride. Today I visit my old stomping grounds, a supply shop called Brewer’s Connection, to brush up on the basics. I talk with helpful employee Amy and find out excactly what a newbie needs to brew a batch of beer so tasty that they’ll want to do another one. Follow my saga for its sheer entertainment value, or even brew along! Details can be found by visiting the “Build-A-Beer Workshop” page on this blog.
Beer #2: We now turn to a more established example of the moderately-hopped APA, Mad River Brewing Co.’s Steelhead Extra Pale Ale. Another California brew, another extra pale ale. Is this one just a retread of the first, or does the APA style contain enough wiggle room for two very different drinking experiences?
Beer Geek Moment: “Homebrewing.” For as long as there’s been beer, people have been brewing it at home. These days there’s little in the way of excuses for beer geeks to not also be homebrewers. We take a look at various approaches to the craft, so you can decide which one is best for you.
Postbeer Postscript: And now…the scores! Just because both beers are “extra pale”, do they score the same? And will Eric and I ever have a knock-down, drag-out argument over our ratings? Tune in and find out!
