#pacific ale

[whatchudrinkin]

Sweet As!

Some days you just want to drink beer. I think Sweet As might become our go to beer. It’s a golden ale brewed with hops from the Southern Hemisphere. Pacifica, from New Zealand if I recall correctly. Maybe some Australian Galaxy? It’s not an IPA but it’s packing a lot of hop flavor. It’s tropical, but more like thai curry than tiki themed cocktail. It’s light and crisp and fresh and I’m going to go buy some more.

[thecarouseruk]

Beer Review:  Stone & Wood Pacific Ale

Beer Review:  Stone & Wood Pacific Ale

Stone And Wood Pacific Ale Review 4.4% abv

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[whatchudrinkin]

Sweet As!

Australasian hops are prized for their flavor. Some say it's because of the unique terroir, the same soil that produces great Sauvignon blanc produces great hops. But hops and terroir is a tricky, sticky subject. We do know Australasia is virtually devoid of hop eating pests and damaging molds that have periodically bankrupted European and North American hops farmers, so growing organic and mildew susceptible plants isn't an issue. 

Galaxy is an Australian variety, and Pacifica comes from New Zealand. Those hops give Sweet As! it's fresh, fruity flavor, with only eighteen bitterness units. My mom it tastes like iced tea. My brother says it tastes like juice.

[whatchudrinkin]

Pacific Beer and the Bubble

Goodlife is one of Bend's up and coming breweries and Sweet As! is their excellent Pacific Ale -- an appellation invented for beers utilizing New Zealand hops. My god those hops are tasty. Light and fruity and perfectly paired with a nice honey biscuit base. I've always read that hops from New Zealand are extra tropical. But Sweet As! isn't quite pineapple and mango. The fruit is much lighter like a green berry, dried out and sweet. 

Bend is going through what seems to be an endless beer boom. Every year another five breweries open, and every year they are flocked with new customers. If there is a beer bubble, Bend might be the first place to pop. Jeff Alworth of Beervana broke it down per capita. There is one brewery for every six thousand people in the Bend area. Of course, Alworth hasn't accounted for the tourists who flock to Bend just for the beer, but still, that's a lot of beer.