Beers in the United states are a varied lot but as most are fully aware, the most popular style of beer in the past (and in many ways, still in the present) are American style lagers. Those who make the leap to craft beer often take small steps and are often attracted initially to the pilsners and golden ales made by craft breweries because they are somewhat similar to the macro- brew they once enjoyed. An example of a golden ale that makes a good launching point into craft beer is 16 Mile Blues Golden Ale, a beer brewed by 16 Mile Brewing of Georgetown, Delaware
Beer Bio:
Beer Style: American Blonde
Calories: 177 (est.) per 12 oz. serving
Carbs: Unknown
Alcohol Content: 5.9 percent by volume
Poured from the bottle, 16 Mile Blues Golden Ale is golden/straw in hue with a slight chill haze and a nose that is one of light spice, grassiness, honey, and biscuits. The white foam looks nice at first, but it does fall apart a little faster than the average beer of this style and it leaves no lacing.
16 Mile Blues Golden Ale offers a clean, crisp that that combines flavors of pale, toasted malt with some herbal character and a small amount of vegetable coming through, mainly corn. There is some biscuit like flavor as well and the beer finishes with a slightly bitter/herbal sensation that gives way to the sweet taste of pale malt and honey in the aftertaste.
16 Mile Blues Golden Ale was named for the Delaware Blues, a group who fought in most all of the battles of the American Revolution and, like other 16 Mile products, it seems a little on the mild side and a little tamer than the typical golden ale. For these reasons, it may not be appreciated as much by some craft beer extremists. But as I said in my opening paragraph, it does seem like a good introductory beer for those who are trying to break away from mass- produced American lagers but find the majority of craft beers a little too scary. There is just enough craft beer character with this product to let you know that a craft beer is washing over your taste buds, yet not so much flavor that the taste buds are shocked or over- stimulated.
Like with other 16 Mile products, 16 Mile Blues Golden Ale seems like a good session beer and one that would make a good choice for everyday consumption or for drinking with many common foods. It seems like a good beer to quaff down with a slice of pizza or to reach for when you want something of a craft nature without taking flavor and other factors too far. It’s not an amazing beer, but it has enough going for it to earn a small recommendation.
Rating: 6 cheers out of 10
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