One of the benefits of my recent trip to Calgary was a chance to try Wild Rose’s AF23 Pale Ale, their current tap-only seasonal. I normally miss out on their tap-only offerings as they usually don’t make it up my way. AF23 is the name of the hangar in which the Taproom and brewing operations now reside. I made a point of ordering a pint when I had the chance.
It pours a light orange-copper with a thick blanket of white head, which leaves a substantial lacing as I sip. The aroma is an enticing blend of citrus, caramel and some honey. The first sip reveals a bit of honey and caramel sweetness up front, quickly matched by a grapefruit and pine hop flavour and bitterness. The finish is fairly dry and the linger has a pine character.
As the glass emptied, I found myself appreciating the balance in the beer. The hops are assertive but not too powerful. The malt reminds you that this is a pale ale, kids, not an IPA. It has a great drinkability to it. While I restricted myself to just one, I could have easy gone for a second without fearing palate fatigue (which can happen with mondo-hoppy beer). I found myself contrasting AF23 to Alley Kat’s Full Moon Pale Ale. Both are lovely versions of a pale ale. The AF23 comes across a little drier, in my mind, and with a more distinct hop flavour. The Full Moon, however, has a multi-dimensionality that the AF23 lacks. None of those comparisons are meant to disparage either beer. Actually this is a good example of how different brewers interpret a style differently. Not better, just different.
Now if we can only find a way to smuggle a keg or two up to Edmonton…
September 11, 2011 at 10:53 AM
I spent the last week of August in Northern England, hiking and drinking real ale. After that great experience I have to ask, is there no-one who sells/serves ale off the pump? Why is good beer over-gassed and freezing cold. Is English beer just too odd for us? Is there any hope?
September 14, 2011 at 3:01 PM
Mark,
Good question. It is all about expectations. We have had generations of beer marketers telling us that beer must be ICE COLD to be enjoyable. It will take time to turn that around.
As for casks and real ale, Edmonton is behind even other cities in Canada. Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver all have pubs with a permanent cask offering. However, we are catching up with two cask nights a month and hopefully more to come. My advice is to lobby the owners of Next Act and Sugar Bowl to install a cask tap line. The second step woudl be to convince one of the local brewers to regularly make a real ale (not a dificult thing for them).
Here is to more cask ale in Alberta!