River Pig Pale Ale
Angry Minnow Brewing Co.

My absolute favorite all-time #1 IPA, I salivate like Pavlov's dog when I pick up some Angry Minnow River Pig (usually at the IGA in Hayward), when I have it before (and with, after!) my dinner at Angler's Bar and Grill uptown, or at Trails End Resort on Lac Court Oreilles. If you're searching for an IPA that that strikes that perfect delicate balance between a decent strength and flavor of hops and right "hint" amount of mango smoothness to offset the bitterness of the hops, look no further, this has has it. (Doesn't suffer from having a good strong hops flavor that finishes too bitter, or from being too fruity an IPA that has a body and finish like grapefruit juice). It has a perfect balance and perfect finish. For reference, I consider these other IPA's to be just behind this beer, so if you like these also, you will love River Pig: Revolution Anti-Hero (my #2); All Day IPA; and Surly Furious.

Also if you ever get to Hayward Wisconsin, visit the brewpub and have a flight because I'm sure you'll agree that Angry Minnow makes among the best examples of each type of beer, from IPA's to Stouts to Amber Ales. For me they're the best examples of each, wow... their brewmaster just has it nailed down. I always think of their brewmaster brewing different styles of beer via trial and and then making it perfect, and thinking, Bingo... that is It.

All their food is crazy good, too, even really particular people comment how great their food is. It might be busy, really good places are... be patient.

 

16oz can with no date. This beer reminds me of pale ales of the 90s. This is sweeter and much more floral than more modern pale ales. Almost tastes like an English yeast was used as it is not very clean. Nice body and good carbonation. Not a bad beer, just seems a bit out of place on the modern market.

 

 

 

Purchased from Economart in Spooner, close to the source

Look: The beer poured a dark amber color with a light light khaki head. I don't see too much carbonation coming from the bottom. I let this sit out 15-20 minutes so the temperature is likely somewhere in the mid forties.

Smell: The smell is malts with some earthy hops. I got some pine as well as dankness. I was surprised by how different this was from most other pale's I've had of late

Taste: There's some initial sweetness followed by pine and that dank flavor kicks in near the last third of the finish.

Feel: this is a medium to thicker mouth feel, and has a bitter dry ending leaving that resinous flavor in the mouth.

Overall: My initial reaction was that this beer is about a 3.75 to 4, but as I was describing the beer I realized I really liked a lot of the things used to judge this beer. I think a 4-4.25 is about accurate. If you take this for what it is, a pale ale that was around before most of the extremely hopped trends, this is an excellent brew. Next time I'm home i'd consider grabbing this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This beer pours an amber color from the can. It is a excellent American Style Pale Ale. It's a perfect amount hop flavor, good appeal to people who don't like the real hoppy IPA's but like an ale. This is a local brewery with limited distribution. If you're in Northern Western Wisconsin and you can find it purchase some, awesome beer. This is a true craft beer.