pale ale

Torched Hop Brewing Company, Atlanta, GA

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I stopped in at Torched Hop Brewing Company in Atlanta, Georgia for dinner and a beer.  The Brussels Sprouts on the tasting menu are delicious and the Granny Smith Apple Salad was a perfect and healthy dinner option.  And, I had a hard time identifying a singe beer so I tried a flight.  I really enjoyed the PowerThirst Pina Colada Kettle Sour – the pina colada flavor comes through and its a crisp and refreshing beer.  And the Citrageddon Fresh Hop Pale Ale is an awesome hop-forward pale ale.  Great food and great beers!

City Acre Brewing Company, Houston, TX

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I stopped in at City Acre Brewing Company in Houston, Texas for a late bite to eat and a beer.  Their TXPA Pale Ale is delicious.  I rarely do this but I’ll make a comparison.  It’s not as hoppy as Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, which I enjoy, but is very flavorful, citrusy, and drinkable.  I really enjoyed it.  And, it paired wonderfully with Rick’s Rolls – pork barbecue and cole slaw egg rolls.  And the cabbage slaw that came with it was also awesome.  I also tried the Bellington Imperial Red.  Where was that back in MD on St. Patrick’s Day?  If you’re in Houston please do stop in at City Acre.  Great indoor/outdoor vibe.  Owner and brewmaster Matt was pouring last night.  He’s an awesome guy to chat with.  Very helpful and engaging.  He’s doing an awesome job.  Stop in and support him.

Karbach Brewing Company, Houston, TX

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I stopped in at Karbach Brewing Company in Houston, Texas for dinner and a beer.  Their fish tacos were excellent.  And all of the beers I tried were also excellent.  And, I want to give a shout out to my great bartender.  Not sure whar her name was but she was very kind and helpful.  Their Zee German Pils was light bodied and easy to drink.  Their Weekend Warrior Pale Ale was solid.  Just a bit hoppy and flavorful.  Mother in Lager was rich and malty.  5th Anniversary Quintuple IPA was the closest thing I’ve had to Dogfish 120 – rich IPA!.  And the BBH bourbon barrel series.  You  just have to say bourbon and you have my attention.  The BBH with Cherries and the Secret Beer aged in bourbon barrels were both rich and delicious dessert drinks.  What a great line-up!

Smuttynose Brewing Company, Hampton, NH

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I enjoyed dinner and a beer at the Smuttynose Brewing Company Hayseed Restaurant in Hampton, New Hampshire.  Their pork schnitzel was delicious and it paired perfectly with Finestkind IPA.

I then proceeded to the brewery tasting room and tried Ginger Beer (not enough ginger for me and the peppers either needed to be stronger or not included), Shoals Pale Ale (a very drinkable and tasty pale), Old Brown Dog (smooth, malty, almost-sweet brown ale), and S’mistletoe (very fruity, not sweet but not sour, light not heavy).  What a range of beers.  Something for everyone.

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Kona Brewing, Kona, Hawaii

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I stopped in at Kona Brewing in Kona, Hawaii.  Their flagship beers, Longboard Lager, Big Wave Golden Ale, Castaway IPA, and Fire Rock Pale Ale are no strangers and always delicious.  I found that the Magic Sands Saison was a delicious mango beer and the Hanalei POG IPA was a very drinkable, flavorful IPA.  But, sadly, you’ve got to fly to Kona to enjoy these.  I’m glad I did.  Also, the pizza was wonderful as well.  Kona Brewing is an awesome stop – well worth the trip!!!

Kane Brewing Company, Ocean, NJ

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I stopped in at Kane Brewing Company in Ocean, New Jersey.  I really enjoyed a tasting flight of their beers.  Single Fin Belgian Blonde was tasty.  Hop Lab Citra was perhaps my favorite.  It is a fresh pale ale, crisp and slightly hoppy.  Head High is a solid IPA and Overhead is a solid Double IPA.  Neither too hoppy.  I love what these guys are doing with hops and since I stop for hops I was really happy/hoppy at Kane Brewing!

Revolution Brewing, Chicago, IL

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I stopped in at Revolution Brewing in Chicago, Illinois and tried a few of their beers.  The first one I tried was Fist City, an American Pale Ale.  Very tasty.  As described – crisp – and hoppy.  The next beer I tried was the Ideology ESB.  Good beer.  Not the best ESB I’ve had but good nonetheless.  And, finally, I tried the Anti Hero IPA.  This is my hero!  In fact, I also got a glass from the conference reception I attended tonight and am finishing it while I write this blog post.  Very hoppy!  Very Happy!