Looking for a good, widely available pale ale

[Falstaff]

I tried it in bottles, and then I tried it at the brewery on draft (such a cool taproom/restaurant with the metal theme!).

Awesome dude. Where was it? One of my favorites from 3 Floyds was It's Not Normal, which they brewed with Pig Destroyer, one of my favorite metal bands

 

[Falstaff]

I don’t know if you can get it in Ohio but Lagunitas Daytime IPA is 4%, reasonably hoppy, and not at all sweet. It’s pretty much our non-HB house beer.

I can confirm that you can drink it All Day, too.

 

[madscientist451]

Find some Deschutes Mirror Pond. If you can't find it, brew a clone version. Its a great pale ale.

 

[jtratcliff]

Find some Deschutes Mirror Pond. If you can't find it, brew a clone version. Its a great pale ale.

Oh! Yes! This! This! This!

Didn't realize Mirror Pond was only 5%

Good call! MP is awesome!

 

[madscientist451]

Mirror pond is one of my favorite clones to brew, my clone version is almost always better than any original version I can find since its likely very old by the time it gets to me. The keg never lasts very long.....makes me thirsty thinking about it.

 

[marc1]

The Can You Brew It for Mirror Pond said that the maltster was important for the base malt to get the right flavor.
What's your recipe?

 

[shelly_belly]

It's very sweet compared to Sierra Nevada

Is it? For me, SNPA tastes sweeter than 420. I believe my palate may be overly sensitive to crystal malts. They mostly taste cloying to me.

 

[jtratcliff]

What's your recipe?

Yes please... Share if you're so inclined...

 

[madscientist451]

The Can You Brew It for Mirror Pond said that the maltster was important for the base malt to get the right flavor.
What's your recipe?

I followed the CYBI recipe and instructions, its been a while and I don't have my brewing notebook with me right now, but I just followed what they said they did and it came out great. Its a some what old-school all cascade brew I've brewed it maybe 3-4 times, but I have gotten away from clone brewing lately, but now I'm thinking I'll put that back in the lineup.
Yeah the recipe called for great western pale ale malt, but this would be great to try with base malt from one of the smaller maltsters like Mecca Grade, no it won't be a clone then, but it who knows it might be better than the original. I might also be tempted to stray from the hop bill and use some Amarillo and Ahtanum, but there I go, getting away from clone brewing.
There are several HBT discussions about it:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/thread...pe-for-deschutes-mirror-pond-pale-ale.178959/

 

[marc1]

I liked Light Hearted the best, although it was more "old school" hop flavored. Daytime IPA was a close second. I'll probably buy them both again. The others, not so much.

 

[bwible]

I just tried a Firestone Walker Flyjack IPA... 4%ABV 25 IBU 96 calories... Decent. Very light in body, not a lot of bitterness but decent hop flavor and aroma..

Oh, how did I forget FW Easy Jack?

https://www.firestonebeer.com/beer/easy-jack/

 

[marc1]

Oh, how did I forget FW Easy Jack?

https://www.firestonebeer.com/beer/easy-jack/

I'm interested, but the locator on the website says none within 100 miles.

And the closest fly jack is in PA.

 

[bwible]

I'm interested, but the locator on the website says none within 100 miles.

And the closest fly jack is in PA.

I’m in PA and I’ve found Easy Jack here. I don’t know if those locator things are paid advertising or what. If you have a big well stocked distributor ask there and sometimes if they don’t have stuff they can get it

 

[TkmLinus]

One that I didn't see mentioned here is BrewDog Light Speed. Lots of hazy flavor packed into a 4%, 95 calorie package. Also another vote for All Day IPA and Sierra Nevada Summer Break.

 

[jnecessary]

I liked Light Hearted the best, although it was more "old school" hop flavored. Daytime IPA was a close second. I'll probably buy them both again. The others, not so much.

This is my current favorite of the session IPAs. I brewed the Bell's all grain kit as my third brew and it's in the keezer now. I rushed it a little, being impatient, but it's pretty good. I kegged as soon as I hit FG though, wish I'd left it sit for a few days to clean up. Live and learn!