Arts, Events & LifeIt's All About the Beer
REVIEW: It’s All About the Beer: Acme California Pale Ale
Photo by J.T. Wampler
This week’s beer: Acme California Pale Ale from North Coast Brewing Co. in Fort Bragg, Calif.
Acme California Pale Ale is from a wonderful brewery that also brings us Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout, Red Seal, Brother Thelonious and Scrimshaw Pilsner.
At 5.0% ABV, this ale is brewed with Yakima Valley hops and American pale malt and British specialty malts for color and complexity of flavor.
It pours a light amber color with an off-white head that quickly dissipates, but a nice lacing follows the ale down the glass with each sip. The aroma is clean, mild and malty without much hops present, but with a hint of orange blossoms.
The flavor is a nice balance of hops and malt without either rising to prominence. There is a lingering aftertaste that is not unpleasant, but unique. It has an overall nice flavor and is really easy to drink. The kiss of hops compliments the malt backbone and creates a nice balance.
This is one of the better pale ales I’ve ever tried. Of course I’ve yet to have a beer from North Coast Brewing Co. that is anything but top-notch. They obviously take care to produce fine products and it shows.
Pair with seafood or a medium rare steak.
Rating 4
J.T Wampler
J.T. is a contributor for the Fayetteville Flyer and writes the “It’s All About the Beer” column. He is also the owner and brewer at the Tanglewood Branch Beer Co., located at 1431 S. School Ave. in Fayetteville. For more beer reviews from J.T., see his author page.
It would be awesome if in these articles it was included where we could by the featured beer in Fayetteville.
Good suggestion, J.R. I see what we can do.
Cool story bro.
Back when I lived in Northern California I’d drink this all the time. When I moved back and couldn’t find it locally I would always conspire about different ways to get my favorite west coast beers back to the area. Road trip, packed in a hardshell suitcase, hounding local distributors, etc.
Luckily for us, you can find this around now. I’ve purchased it at Crossover Liquor and Liquor Mart. I’ve also ordered it while sitting at the bar at Brewskis.
Now if I could just get the Lagunitas stuff in the ‘ville I’d really be set!
All the beers I review are available in Fayetteville unless I specifically note otherwise. I usually build a six-pack at Liquor World or Liquor Mart. Sometimes I’ll make the drive to Missouri Macadoodles for something exotic but I’ll make sure you know when I do that.