Silverback Pale Ale

Wynkoop Brewing Co.
Denver, CO

Available: CO

Silverback Pale Ale is made with grains of paradise, an African spice with a pungent, peppery flavor. The spice is also a key part of the diet of Africa’s mountain gorillas. Wynkoop donates 50 percent of all profits from the beer to the Denver-based Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund. Wynkoop Brewing Co. is Colorado’s first brewpub, launched in 1988 by a group led by current Denver mayor John Hickenlooper.

ABV: 5.5
ABW: 4.4
Color: n/a
Bitterness: 40
Original gravity: 1051.2

A very pale ale indeed—as pale as a pilsner, with a deep fluffy head followed by a superb spicy and citrus fruit aroma with light toasted malt and peppery hop resins. It’s spicy and intensely bitter in the mouth, but the bitterness is balanced by biscuity malt and tart fruit. The finish is finely balanced between sweet malt, tart fruit and bitter hops. The beer includes grains of paradise, a spice from West Africa, and sales of the beer benefit the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund.
- Roger Protz

The green can says that this is a pale ale brewed with grains of paradise. A gorilla stares back from above the logo. The beer pours a pale hazy honey color and raises a thin white head. The aroma is mildly fruity, with a faint whiff of orangey hop. On the palate it’s bone-dry, brisk and bitter, with a mineral severity that manages to be oddly pleasant. The center shows little malt and pushes through to a flinty finish. Just the thing next time you rev up the Fry-Daddy.
- Garrett Oliver

Roger Protz
Roger Protz is the author of Complete Guide to World Beer and 300 Beers to Try Before You Die. He is a respected beer authority and editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.

Garrett Oliver
Internationally recognized brewer and expert on traditional beer, Garrett Oliver is the brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery and the author of The Brewmaster's Table.

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