Sunday, January 30, 2011

NorCal

Beer Name: NorCal Ale
Brewery: Bear Republic Brewing Company
ABV: 4.5%
Serving method: 16-oz draft in a pint glass
Born/Bottled/Shipped on: Unknown

The NorCal Ale is something of a hybrid beer, with characteristics of a bitter and a pale ale. I decided to put it in the pale ale category because it tasted more like that than like a bitter.

This beer has a coppery amber color with a head less than half an inch. Most of it fades pretty quickly, but the last eighth of an inch or so hangs on for dear life. It also leaves a ridiculously thick lacing pattern on the glass. The beer has a very mild hop aroma.

Hey! I know this flavor! This beer is like an IPA, only a bit milder. It's got the hoppiness that you'd expect, just dialed back a little. There's also a little bit of sweetness. There's a little bit of carbonation, and the beer has a mild bitterness in the aftertaste.

Final thought - NorCal Ale is a very tasty beer. I think even someone who doesn't enjoy hoppy beers might like it. Or someone who likes hoppy beers but wants to have something a little more mild. Delicious!

-Jon

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