"Real" American Pale Ale Advice

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by ctrudebusch, Jan 27, 2016.

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  1. EnronCFO

    EnronCFO Pooh-Bah (2,193) Mar 29, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Blasphemy to some, but Goose Island Ten Hills is a very solid APA.
     
    #41 EnronCFO, Jan 27, 2016
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  2. Ranbot

    Ranbot Pooh-Bah (2,463) Nov 27, 2006 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Yards Philadelphia Pale Ale
    Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale
    Sly Fox Phoenix Pale Ale
    Troegs Hop Back Amber

    True APAs (i.e. not IPAs in disguise) tend to fly under the radar here, but the APA is a very common staple beer for many brewers. If you search around locally there's probably something being brewed near you that fits the bill. Don't be afraid to try ambers either, a hop-forward amber will probably have similarities to SNPA.
     
    #42 Ranbot, Jan 27, 2016
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  3. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Unfortunately it is not distributed to VA but Two Brothers Sidekick is a very tasty Pale Ale.

    Cheers!
     
    #43 JackHorzempa, Jan 27, 2016
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  4. cryptichead

    cryptichead Grand Pooh-Bah (4,897) Jul 3, 2014 Illinois
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Dale's Pale Ale - I think it's up there with Sierra Nevada and not too hoppy
     
    #44 cryptichead, Jan 27, 2016
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  5. bleakies

    bleakies Maven (1,355) Apr 11, 2011 Massachusetts

    Some MA brews I enjoy when seeking not-so-hoppy pale ales:

    Mayflower Pale Ale
    Cisco Whale's Tale
    Ipswich Ale
    Berkshire Traditional Pale Ale (which I believe has been rebranded as Hoosac Tunnel Amber)
     
    #45 bleakies, Jan 27, 2016
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  6. SammyJaxxxx

    SammyJaxxxx Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2012 New Jersey

    A couple of others mentioned it, but Victory Headwaters is excellent
     
    #46 SammyJaxxxx, Jan 27, 2016
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  7. TriggerFingers

    TriggerFingers Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2012 California

    Firestone Pale 31
     
    #47 TriggerFingers, Jan 27, 2016
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  8. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    What do you love about the "real" American Pale Ales? If it's not American hops specifically, you could expand your options even further and seek out English Pale Ales/bitters.

    They tend to strike the same balance, albeit less hoppy overall when compared to most American Pale Ales, even Sierra Nevada. But if less hoppy and more balanced is what you're after, and not necessarily the types of hops, English styles could fit the bill.
     
    #48 AlcahueteJ, Jan 27, 2016
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  9. Ranbot

    Ranbot Pooh-Bah (2,463) Nov 27, 2006 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    I agree with @AlcahueteJ above.

    Also Redhook Audible Ale (APA) might be up your alley.

    If you ignore the name, Harpoon IPA is fairly restrained on the hops more malt forward (a classic "east coast" IPA) and has similarities to SNPA.
     
    #49 Ranbot, Jan 27, 2016
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  10. keithmurray

    keithmurray Pooh-Bah (2,967) Oct 7, 2009 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah

    Southern Tier live
     
    #50 keithmurray, Jan 27, 2016
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  11. BigMike

    BigMike Pooh-Bah (2,334) May 8, 2008 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Big fan of this beer. Also Victory Headwaters!
     
    #51 BigMike, Jan 27, 2016
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  12. gatheredwaters

    gatheredwaters Pooh-Bah (1,807) May 1, 2014 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    Alaskan's Freeride APA
     
    #52 gatheredwaters, Jan 27, 2016
  13. EnronCFO

    EnronCFO Pooh-Bah (2,193) Mar 29, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    I believe those are all English style. Not saying they're not worth trying (although I dislike Whale's Tale), but not "real" APAs.
     
    #53 EnronCFO, Jan 27, 2016
  14. rgordon

    rgordon Pooh-Bah (2,701) Apr 26, 2012 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    I love the Ipswich mentioned above and if Victory Headwaters hasn't been mentioned, it is highly poundable!
     
    #54 rgordon, Jan 27, 2016
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  15. will_eye_e

    will_eye_e Pundit (849) Jul 29, 2013 Florida

    I think VA receives limited distribution from Cigar City. If so, give Invasion a shot.
     
    #55 will_eye_e, Jan 27, 2016
  16. papposilenus

    papposilenus Grand Pooh-Bah (3,232) Jun 21, 2014 New Hampshire
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    That's what I was going to say.
     
    #56 papposilenus, Jan 27, 2016
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  17. cale_dooper

    cale_dooper Initiate (0) Aug 2, 2013 Pennsylvania

    psuedo sue - TG
    zombie dust - FFF
    daisy cutter - half acre
    invasion - cigar city

    lizard king was solid, but a bit too thin for me? did a H2H pseudo vs. zombie and pseudo won by far...

    daisy cutter 4 packs for $10.99 in philly = my go to
     
    #57 cale_dooper, Jan 27, 2016
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  18. Ranbot

    Ranbot Pooh-Bah (2,463) Nov 27, 2006 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    There's the first [non-joking] ZD suggestion! @TongoRad did anyone win? :grinning:
     
    #58 Ranbot, Jan 27, 2016
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  19. beerfinder

    beerfinder Initiate (0) Jan 17, 2008 Pennsylvania

    I've always enjoyed the Sly fox Phoenix, Victory Headwaters & Troegs Hop Back Amber.
     
    #59 beerfinder, Jan 27, 2016
  20. The_Beer_Shark

    The_Beer_Shark Initiate (0) Oct 14, 2014 Illinois

    Lizard king Numba one!
     
    #60 The_Beer_Shark, Jan 27, 2016
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