Pale Ales
Pale Ales are definitely a hop-forward beer style. Though not usually as aggressively hopped or bitter as their big brother, the IPA, they do tend to have a solid hop presence. The line between Pale Ales and IPAs is becoming more and more obscured these days with many brewers producing quite bitter Pale Ales, and IPA’s that have more of a mild bitterness choosing instead to focus on the fruity characteristics of specific hop varietals – so who’s to say – it’s all about a brewer’s interpretation and the consumer’s palate. Winning this category this year was Stanley Park Brewing’s Windstorm Pale Ale. The beer has a nice fruity hop aroma, with a hint of pine and some light toast. Kirk Bodnar BEST IN CLASS
JUDGES SELECTION
Stanley Park Brewing Windstorm Canada $16-19 (6-pack bottles) CSPC 767282
Alley Kat Full Moon Pale Ale Alberta, Canada $16-19 (6-pack bottles) CSPC 903922 Beau’s Brewing Kissmeyer Nordic Pale Ale Canada $8-10 (600mL bottle) CSPC 792388 Mill Street Honest Bucker Pale Ale Alberta, Canada On Tap Only Dog Island Brewing SandyAss Pale Ale Alberta, Canada On Tap CSPC 788023
Whistler Brewing Co. Function Junction Pale Ale Canada $5-7 (500mL bottle) CSPC 785531 Dog Island Brewing 9 Mile Session Ale Alberta, Canada On Tap CSPC 786178 Deep Cove Method West Coast Pale Ale Canada $7-9 (650mL bottle) CSPC 791128 Phillips Blue Buck Canada $16-19 (6-pack cans) CSPC 751444
Saisons
Saisons are farmhouse ales which were all but forgotten until the emergence of the craft beer movement in recent years. Perhaps an acquired taste for some, they are the perfect beer for the terroir junkie, someone who wants a drink that tastes like it was made by a skilled person, that comes from a real place. This year’s Best in Class comes from Beau’s Brewing, which I was thrilled to see coming to Alberta recently, as our judges noted, “Overall, it’s a very session-able beer”. Fine praise indeed. Tom Firth BEST IN CLASS
JUDGES SELECTION
Beau’s Brewing Farm Table Saison Canada $8-10 (600mL bottle) CSPC 794794
Banded Peak Brewing Chinook Saison Alberta, Canada $9-11 (1L can) CSPC 783930
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