Paste Magazine, Best Pale ale blind test

Wish they reviewed Lagunitas 12th of Never, it's everywhere and pretty good - I'd be interested to see if it'd stand out from the field.

I haven't had a whole lot of these entries, but PsuedoSue is by far the best pale ale I've had.

 

I realize these lists are mostly wastes of time, but despite knowing that, it is nice to see a small relatively new local spot (Benchtop brewing) at #20. Cool people work there and it's good to see them recognized.

 

For some reason I just love these lists. Paste should really expand their Drink section and post more often. We all give their lists crap, but they seem to at least have reputable personnel. Cheers!

 

Pleased to see 18th Street have a good showing on this list. I am a big fan of theirs and they continue to do some fun stuff. Pretty surprised by Zombie Dusts place on the list. Granted it was massive because it was the first beer to really push the hop limits and nail it, but still, it has its place.

 

Is there a Jersey Shore brewed Pale Ale that you think would have done well in this blind taste testing?

Cheers!

 

I don't find the Paste lists to be a waste of time. It's a huge blind tasting among people in the industry (brewer's, writers...etc.).

It's a shame they couldn't get Trillium's Fort Point (or its variants) and/or Nightshift's Whirlpool.

 

Happy to see Sixpoint's Hootie on the list, the Sixpoint small batch brewery only releases are really starting to hit their stride.

 

Surprised to see Daisy Cutter didn't make the top 50. Love that beer.

 

Because there is no 'upside' for Trillium or Night Shift to send them their beers? If they placed at a low spot this would tarnish their image.

Their beers are already 'selling like hot cakes' so really no need for publicity?

Cheers!

 

It seems to me their blind tests are reasonably done and I appreciate the effort. Also entertaining even if I don't fully agree with the findings.

 

Treehouse submitted one, and they're the "highest rated" brewery on this site.

It's a good theory, but Nightshift and Trillium both show up (high on the lists too) in Paste's other blind tastings.

It's actually the reason I purchased one of the Nightshift Morph recipes last year, because it ranked so highly on the list. And it did not disappoint.

 

Saranac Pale Ale beating Zombie Dust (and many others) is the upset of the year. Holy crap.

 

Yup: “35. Tree House Lights On”.

In the big scheme of things, not very impressive. I will leave it to others to discuss whether a beer from Tree House coming in at 35 = tarnish.

Cheers!

 

I was actually surprised to see Pseudosue in there for this exact reason. I personally think it is one of the best beers out there and totally worthy of the hype. The homer in me is glad it placed so high on the list!

 

And at 38 not too far away from the beer from the 'highest rated" brewery of Tree House which came at 35.

Blind taste testing is a superior method since the 'hype' is nonexistent then.

Cheers!

 

Brotherton Green Earth. Not the shore technically its from Shamong. Ship Bottom paddle boat is excellent. I worked next to the brewery on LBI and would stop in every day after work.

 

Agreed, and cheers to Tree House for sending Lights On when the same motivations are at play. #35 isn't #1, but if anything I have more respect for them stepping outside their fan bubble. These rankings are just a snapshot of these beers on that one day; being in the top 20-ish percent is still evidence of a great beer.

 

I have read a fair bit of discussion on BA about PseudoSue brewed at the Iowa brewery vs. contract brewed (somewhere in Florida I think). Have you had both versions? What are your thoughts on this topic?

Cheers!