Dale’s Pale Ale, Oskar Blues, Lyons, CO
Press in the push tab and you’re greeted by the citrusy, resiny aroma of Pacific Northwest hops. Dale’s Pale Ale has a creamy white head, a deep gold color and a prickly hop flavor followed by a lingering bitterness. At 6.5% ABV and 62 IBUs, this beer edges into the IPA category. It’s certainly the hoppiest beer ever canned in the U.S. (What’s second… Maybe Yuengling’s Lord Chesterfield Ale?) Incidentally, my sample had languished in a refrigerator for about five months, but was still fresh, without any metallic twang.
T-6 Red Ale, Warbird Brewing Co., Fort Wayne, IN
This ruddy, amber-colored brew has a malty aroma, an appetizing bready note in the palate and a dry, malty, almost crackery finish. Brewery founder Dave Holmes says that just as the T-6 was a training vehicle for fighter pilots, this product is a “trainer micro” for beer drinkers. Holmes envisions a line-up of different styles with airplane-themed monikers. Available in Indiana only.
Old Chub Scottish Style Ale, Oskar Blues, Lyons, CO
At 8% ABV, this ebony-colored beer more properly might be classified as a wee heavy. The flavor is full of bittersweet chocolate, with light notes of coffee and a hint of smokiness. There is a long, roasty finish. The beer from Oskar Blues are the most widely distributed of micro-cans, being available in CO, AZ, NM, OR, WA, GA and VA.
Anheuser Work Select Lager Beer, Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis, MO
The label identifies this pale gold brew as a collaborative effort among brewmasters in ten countries, and it’s a very credible attempt at a continental European pilsner, with a peppery noble hop aroma and dry, malty finish. In a taste test pitting the 16-oz aluminum bottle against the 12-oz glass bottle, I preferred the can. Anheuser World Select in an aluminum bottle is being test-marketed in 13 areas nationwide, including Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Washington, DC, and select Florida cities.
Pilsner Ukiah, Ukiah Brewing Co., Ukiah, CA
Hazy golden color, huge billowy head. Dry, peppery Saaz hop aroma and flavor, with a long, lingering bitter aftertaste. Alcohol 5.4% ABV. It reminded me of one of my favorite East Coast lagers, De Groen’s Pilsner from the now defunct Baltimore Brewing Co. Brewed with organic two-row barley this beer bears the seal of California Certified Organic Farmers. Pilsner Ukiah is available at the brewpub and in a few other accounts around Ukiah.
