Tasting: Angler's Ale

Arcadia Ales, Battle Creek MI

Angler's Ale

From the bottle:
"Premium English Two-row Malted Barley"
"Premium Pacific Northwest Hops"
"A Pale Ale--brewed in the English tradition"

So, I'm of two minds on hops. I occasionally like a brew with hops up front, where you can't pretend they're not there. Certain beers demand it, like the classic I.P.A., which was designed for long boat rides to a hot country, and used hops for their germicidal properties. Some of the more decadent I.P.A.s attempt to achieve some balance with the hops by adding malt. While this move makes it more palatable to me, it also raises the alcohol content, which kind of misses the point for a refreshing summer beer. I'm actually more likely to try a Pilsener in the summer--a good, bubbly lager with a *ping* of hops right on top, like a celery stalk in the bloody mary.

More often, however, I like my hops to be part of the bigger picture, blended nicely with the other elements of the brew. Lately, here in 'Merica, there's been a trend in Pale Ales actually being I.P.A.s, and I.P.A.s being akin to some bizarre college stunt. Therefore, I was intrigued by this "Angler's Ale", which, despite hawking Pacific Northwest hops, offered the reassurance of an emphasis on malt and a disclaimer that it was brewed in the traditional English style.

The pour was pure amber--not pale at all! The beer was fully chilled, and there was no apparent head. I smelled caramel/toffee/coffee malt first, then the pungent Northwest hops. I was expecting some fruitiness, but it really just smelled like a clean, slightly hoppy ale. My first taste impression was of complex malty sweetness, followed after a moment by a bit of sourness, possibly from the yeast. The hops contributed most of the bitterness, with a minor assist from the roasted barley. The body was medium light, but the hops cut through and made it feel lighter. Since the brew was fully chilled, the carbonation was trapped in the liquid, and it emerged with a refreshing vengeance upon sipping. The aftertaste was initially clean, and then tending toward sourness.

As the beer warmed, the hops came forward in the aftertaste, mingling pleasantly with the natural sourness of sugar in the mouth, and encouraging another sip. Drinkability factor: Medium high. It's a reliable beer, but not boring. I could see having a few of these on a summer evening, or sharing a six-pack with one or two friends. It has entered the realm of "viable option", and I would struggle to choose between this and, say, Newcastle, at the grocer's fridge.

One more thing...I'm also posting this over on Links (<---- Thataway)...this is the site for official beer tasting guidelines for competition. If you follow it to English Pale Ale, like I just did, you'll find an explanation of what certified judges look for in such a beer. That said, this beer is more like the Special Bitter than the simple Bitter in color, aroma, and mouthfeel.