Despite what appears to have been a long, hot, summer, it seems that we are suddenly in its “shank;” where the day can be cool enough that I can mow the lawn without checking my pulse. And enjoy a nice cool beer afterward.
I have been sent two beers from Alpine Beer Co., the Alpine, CA based brewer that’s now a part of Green Flash. Both of these represent their first venture into canned beers, and they’re available in the Chicago market in cans and on tap.
First up is Truck Trail American Pale Ale. Named, they say, for the Anderson Truck Trail at Alpine, a favorite path for off-road shenanigans. The beer is a standard 5.5% abv, with the regular Pale Ale infusion of Cascade and Centennial hops.
The pour of the actual beer kicks up a pretty big foamy head when done in a narrow glass. Color is bright gold, well filtered, with some darkness at the middle of the glass. The smell has some pine resin mostly. At 31 IBU, this is not the usual West Coast hop monster. But that’s what thought just from smelling.
The taste is a different matter. In fact, it’s a bit dank with pine resin. There’s a pretty good malt profile to back it up, but at the same time, the hops are running this flea circus.
The other Alpine beer under consideration is Willy American Wheat Ale. Named, they say, after the brewer’s brother-in-law’s childhood nickname, it lists 4.9% alcohol, and is positioned as a light summer beer.
The obvious comparison would be to Goose island’s 312. This is similar, though I don’t care to do a direct comparison from memory. Just noting that this pours with a bright beer under a thick head, which fades away quickly. The smell is light toasty malts, with a bit of wheat zest. The beer is indeed easy drinking, like a 312 or any other “American Wheat.” Hop bitterness is lighter than a Pilsener, but with its own style, perhaps just a bit of American hop to balance the lighter malt profile.
