Saranac Pale Ale is an okay, acceptable pale ale
Saranac is a product of Matt Brewing in Utica, New York- a brewery that ranks as one of the largest craft breweries in the nation. Part of the reason for the large size of Matt Brewing is the large and ever- expanding product line which includes more than two dozen different products. There are some unusual malt beverages in the pack, but also some more ordinary offerings and one example of the latter is Saranac Pale Ale, a light to medium- bodied ale with a bitter edge.
Beer Bio:
Style:American Pale Ale
Alcohol Level: 5.7 percent by volume
Calories: 180 per 12 oz. serving
Carbs: Unknown
Saranac Pale Ale has a copper hue and a good pour results in a nice amount of foaminess. The nose is hoppy and fruity, with characteristics typical of an American Pale Ale. Tasting this beer offers more of the same typical qualities. The flavor is dominated by the hops, and by the taste of fruit. Malt character is secondary, but the taste is there, in the form of a carmelized malt flavor. This beer is light to medium- bodied, with a slightly watery mouth feel. It’s smooth and easy to drink, although it does have a bitter finish.
Saranac Pale Ale is a good, basic pale ale and it makes a good training wheel version of the style. It would be a good beer to give someone who is curious about the pale ale style of beer and wants to try some for the first time. This beer does have a bitter finish, which might be a turn- off to some drinkers, but it’s actually a very mild amount of bitterness in spite of the addition of Cascade and Kent Goldings hops. It doesn’t have the harsh, pepper- like bitterness level that you find in some of the more highly- hopped American versions of this style.
Saranac Pale Ale has some good things to offer, but its “middle of the road” personality could be a turn- off to some drinkers. It isn’t quite full- bodied enough to score many points with beer connoisseurs but at the same time, it might prove to be a little too flavorful to the unitiated, who would rather turn down the craft beer options in favor of mass- produced American swill. It is a pale ale without much distinction, but also one that is decent enough to recommend slightly.
Can you tell my position on Saranac Pale Ale? It should be obvious by now. This is a very average representation of the American Pale Ale style, worthy of a middle rating and with enough good qualities to make it worthy of a sampling. Some will like it more than others, but it will likely register in the middle of the pack with most people.
Rating: 6 Cheers out of 10
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