I had the pleasure of testing bikes in sunny Tuscon for five days recently. Naturally, every great ride is followed by great beer, so here are a few of my favorites from the trip. One highlight in particular was SanTan's Devil's Ale. I'm not easily impressed by pale ales, but this was thoroughly satisfying and hoppy without coming off too heavy. An easy summary is that's it's a more drinkable Dale's Pale Ale.
Devil's Ale
SanTan Brewing Co.
American Pale Ale (APA) | 5.50% ABV
4/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a tall, white head over an orange body. I'm reminded of Dale's Pale Ale, but this is a bit more drinkable—not as thick. The aroma has a subtle floral touch and then there's still a big rich grapefruit citrus flavor with a grassy edge. The hops don't have a super sharp dry-hop edge, the the flavor rolls nicely through the bitter fruit character with a mild dry, bready toffee malt note in the finish. This is a great pale ale for a hot day, check it out.
Barrio Tucson Blonde
Barrio Brewing Company
American Blonde Ale | 4.53% ABV
3.55/5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
On-tap at Noble Hops in Tucson. It's a clean blonde, but I was hoping this would be closer to Chelsea's Checker Cab Blonde, which has a nice clean bready character. Tucson Blonde was clean, no flaws, but the barley and citrus hops were very mild. Yes, the beer was refreshing and not too light, but I'd have wanted more flavor.
Kilt Lifter Scottish Style Ale
Four Peaks Brewing
Scottish Ale | 6.00% ABV
3.68/5
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Kilt Lifter is just a nice, clean Scottish ale with mild caramel and a touch of roast. The aroma, like the flavor, is all malt, but with more of a bready bent to it. The softer caramel taste rolls over your tongue with a lighter carbonation and a very slight herbal, earthy edge. I wouldn't call it peaty, but it's close. Worth a try.
HopShock IPA
SanTan Brewing Co.
American IPA | 7.10% ABV
3.95/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
HopShock poured a hazy orange with a white head and lacing as I drank it down. The aroma has a mix of citrus melon and light floral hops with a very slight earthy note. The flavor is balanced by dry toffee malts that provide a quiet backbone to the biting citrus rind flavor and dry finish. The bitterness could be bigger and the hops could be deeper, but it's a very solid IPA. Certainly a great canned option.
