Ale………the truest form of beer. Beer has been with us since before computers, dating well before 6000 BC, when ancient recipes were found inscribed on stone Babylonian tablets. Beer has been a vital part of prehistoric cultures including the Assyrians, Egyptians, Chinese, and Incas. This fermented malted barley beverage has slaked the thirst of our ancestors, who would be proud to see us modern folk gathering in fraternal competition…playing console games.

There are two main types of beer: ale, which is fermented with a top-fermenting yeast, and lager, using bottom-fermenting yeast. Ales come in many types and colors, including pale, ESB, amber, porter, and stout. Ales generally are maltier (that is, having a more pronounced roasted barley flavor) than lagers, and American ales use fresher, more aromatic hops than lagers, which use bittering and flavoring hops. In this pwn3d exclusive, we review a mixed six-pack of West Coast micro brewed ales, leaning toward the lighter styles. From cleanest and lightest, to more medium and full-bodied, these ales represent some of the finest of Northern California and Oregon, and are conveniently found in one liquor store down the street from me. We start with the Pyramid Hefeweizen Ale, brewed in Berkeley. Hefeweizen in German translates to ‘yeast white’, and most hefeweizens are bottled or kegged fully turbid with yeast, which gives them a creamy, yeasty taste that marries well with a slice of lemon. This Hefeweizen however is clean, with a copper/straw color with fine carbonation bubbles and a small head. The aroma is very pretty, displaying soap, anise, lemon and citrus, accented with bubble gum and estery banana and cinnamon. Like most Hefeweizens, the taste is clean and light without much body. A good summer beer, it finishes quick and easy, and is refreshing. This beer was lacking a bit in character, and it rates as a ‘C’. Next on tap (or, in bottle) is the famous Red Seal Ale, made at the North Coast Brewing Company in Fort Bragg of Mendocino County. It has an intriguing rusty copper color, with low carbonation. Red Seal has up-front Cascade hops, with medicinal and clove notes, followed by aromas of bell pepper and pumpkin. The nose is forward, and has a distinctive personality. The flavors were nice and snappy, with a spicy taste, but comes up a bit short on complexity. However, that is followed by a good hoppy finish of considerable length. Consistent and fun to drink, this classic gets a ‘B+’. The third ale in this tasting is Red Tail Ale, of Mendocino Brewing Company in Ukiah. It has a medium amber color and low on the head. On the palate is a sweet, malty character, highlighted with lavender and peach notes on a spicy and peppery frame, turning perfumy at the end. Complexity any multi-genre gamer would appreciate. There is a curious medium-bodied taste that is slightly sweet, but neither malty nor hoppy. It does have a good mouthfeel, with a somewhat quick finish that turns spicy at the end. This veteran ale marks a ‘B+’. Normally, a Pale Ale would be one of the lighter bodied ales, but the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, from Chico, stands up to not only many darker beers, but hearty food. A clear brass color is pierced with excellent carbonation and topped with a significant head. Framed by hops, the nose is pungent and skunky, with a vanilla element. Always consistent, this ale is bitter and acidic from dry hopping, which comes off as rather one-dimensional. The finish is dry, hoppy, clean, and herbaceous. The Sierra Pale is quite unmistakably distinctive, and while I like a bit more roundness in a similar beer, it’s quality and unwavering style gets a ‘B’. Heading towards the medium-bodied ale spectrum, St. Stan’s Amber Ale from Modesto is good for a BBQ or tailgate. The color is that of honey, with low carbonation. Smelling this ale reveals a good malt/hop balance, and descriptors include fruity peach and nectarine, with a dry-hopped character. The taste is sweet and pleasing, and finishes quick and watery, an easy-drinker. Though labeled an Amber Ale, this is rather light for its classification. ‘B’. Saving the best for last, the Full Sail Brewing Company Amber Ale is the only Oregonian beer in this tasting. Balance is the best single term that can be given to this beer, in all four tasting categories: appearance, aroma, taste, and finish. Starting with appearance, it is amber with a reddish tint, with good carbonation and head. True to an Amber Ale, the aromas are foremost malty, with caramel, clove, butterscotch and meringue. This full-bodied amber is smoky, malty, and a trusty food companion, and finishes slightly hoppy and bitter, and doesn’t disappoint with a good aftertaste. A solid ‘A-‘.

Posted by at April 2, 2003 09:29 PM