I'm surprised more haven't tried it yet.
Ok, so I got a six pack of this last night...had to try it at least once. I'm no BJCP judge, but here is my opinion:
Tasting notes:
Appearance- Pours with a copper color with a decent amount of head and high carbonation.
Aroma- has hints of cascade hops, but isn't so obvious...obviously not a dry-hopped beer. Slight "budweiser" smell, but no malt or caramel aroma.
Taste- thin, watered down taste. It's hard to describe, but the flavor of this beer is more like a light blonde ale rather than a pale ale as it's color suggests. Definite malt palate, but again very mild and watery. Mild citrusy hop taste, but as with everything else in this "ale" it is understated and very mild.
Overall rating: Not bad, not good...just mediocre, uninteresting and forgettable. Watered down pale ale taste, and doesn't hold a candle to Michelob's line of "craft-style" beers. My suggestion, save your $7-9 and grab a sixer SN Pale Ale...nothing to see here!
Ok, now for some pictures:
I'm actually glad that AB decided to brew this ale.
1. its going to let people know that there are beers besides lagers
2. AB is so widespread that it has the capability to create a beer culture and with this brew they're moving the culture towards quality and flavor (even though the flavor is probably going to very mild, but hey baby steps...)
I saw it today at the store for 7 bucks a sixer. I'll wait to try it when someone else is buying.
I looked at two liquor stores today and couldn't find it. I'm going to try it, just so I can decide for myself.
Here's what I don't understand, at least from a business point of view. Why would you offer a product to entice your existing market? I mean, don't they already have the ultralight lager crowd? Why would they try to target their own customers...they'll just be selling more American Ale and less Bud/Bud Light. It would make more sense to make a beer that the Sam Adams and Sierra Nevada crowd would be totally into. They could make inroads into the microbrewery market and tap into the "craft" beer craze that's been going on. Not that I want to hurt the microbrews out there, but this American Ale just doesn't seem like a good business decision. I'd be targeting the micro brewery styles almost exactly...start with a West Coast Pale Ale, and then a lager very similar to Sam Adams.
"Officially" it's not due to store shelves until 9/29.
I think that the brew masters over in the Michelob division are still going to kick their ass. I passed a very tempting display at the store last night with all of their craft beers. Michelob Pale Ale (yes a pale][\b] ale not just an "ale". There was a Dunkelweizen, a Porter, a Marzen and quite a few other interesting looking beers.
Unfortunately they didn't have anything chilled so I picked up a sixer of O'Fallon's 5-Day IPA.
just bought a six pack and gave one a try. it's actually not bad and has more hop character than i expected. you can definitely smell cascades when pouring. i had it relatively warm, probably in the 50-60 degree range. i poured vigorously and was rewarded with a big thick head that dissipated in a few minutes but left a thin layer of foam on top to the bottom of the glass. flavorwise, there is good hop flavor, but very little in the way of maltiness. i actually didn't find the mouthfeel as thin and watery as many others report, but its not an overly sweet brew either. most notable, i think, is that it is very drinkable, almost too drinkable in fact. within 5 minutes of pouring, it was gone. i can see this beer being consumed in large quantities on outings and at parties. the college crowd will find it very "chugable". overall, while it doesn't really stand out as being extraordinary in any way, it is a descent brew, and i can see myself choosing this and not being overly sad about it at restaurants serving the typical BMC lineup.
Sorry
Laws governing your state prohibit the use of this tool.
Apparently it is not sold in PA.
Stupid PA LCB.
I tried it last night and I think that pretty much sums it up! I won't be buying any more of it, except perhaps at a restaurant with limited beer options, but I was rather impressed with it considering what I expected from AB, given all their recent 'fake craft beers' (shock top, beach bum, etc)This is a good beer, it's not great but it has flavor. It's listed as an Amber ( not supposed to be a hop bomb ) and is a decent attempt. I would be happy to have this when I'm out and would not be upset if an amber I made tasted like this
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