Classic American Pale Ale

Summit EPA but that's a regional beer. another regional was the Point Cascade Pale Ale a great hot weather beer no longer made. How about the old Sierra Nevada Pale Ale as a standard classic.

 

I like Daisy Cutter, but in my taste, Lizard King from Pipeworks trumps it. However, I'm not sure if Lizard King falls into that baby IPA category. It's certainly not short on hops...

 

Community's Yessir! or the freshest available in the situation, though scanning through my reviews leads me to believe I grab IPAs much more often than APAs when I need an American hop fix. (Shocking, I know. )

I need to give Dale's Pale Ale another run. I drank just one six-pack back in 2013, and I got a feeling my 2017 palate is going to like that beer a whole bunch more than that untutored 2013 palate did.

 

I think that's PsuedoSue for me, classic!

 

SN Pale Ale is my favorite pale ale. One of those beers that I could always keep in my fridge.

If you forced me to pick a number two, it would be Great Lakes Burning River.

 

From the start SNPA set a standard for APAs that no brewery has yet met. It has an excellent balance of malt and hops, flavor and aroma, mouth feel and finish. It looks great also. As close to a perfect brew as anyone has ever come.

 

Wouldn't call them classic, but HF Edward is exceptionally well balanced, and I also really like Trillium Fort Point. And I know it's on your do-not-mention list, but Zombie Dust is pretty close to a perfect beer.

None of those are readily available to me though. SNPA is one I never shy away from. I also used to drink a lot of Stoudts APA. They both have that classic pine and citrus profile and enough malt backbone to keep me interested.

 

PseudoSue for me, too. I just wish it was available in 12-ounce cans. Or 12-ounce bottles.

 

Fist City by Revolution is up there.
Tuna by Half Acre is going to work its way in there.
Pride and Joy by 3 floyds. But that's because I miss it.

 

Moon Man from New Glarus is a pretty good comparison.

 

You guys have a different definition of "classic pale ale" than I do, that's for sure ... (though that's a nice shot about cans ... )

For midwest classic pale ales, Summit EPA has been the standard for 30 years, and is still a regular in my 'fridge.

I thought Surly made a good attempt with Rising North.

 

Ordered a sixer of Deschutes Mirror Pond shipped in last year. Thought it was great. SNPA is my favorite, but Cigar City's Guayabera is nice for fresh and local.

 

Firestone Walker Pale 31

 

I am a firm believer that a well made pale ale should have a place in every beer lover's fridge. A couple that I've discovered over the past few years that have made an impression for me are: Alesmith's .394 and Alpine Hoppy Birthday

 

I'll vote for Kane Sneakbox as a more traditional pale ale that is stellar.

I think most of my other favorites are basically IPAs. DDH Fort Point, Lizard King, and Maine MO.

 

SNPA is my #1 and has been for ~20 years. I used to really enjoy Bells Pale Ale back in the late 90's but I think the recipe has changed and I haven't had it in 10+ years.

It seems the line between PA and IPA is so blurred now that most new school Pale's are lower ABV IPAs, too hoppy for the style imo. Some fantastic beers but I have a hard time calling them Pale's (Lagunitas BY for example).

 

I would say Dale's Pale Ale is my favorite APA but I think most of us agree that it's an IPA in disguise. I haven't had a SNPA in awhile, so I should pick it up soon.