MO - Maine Beer Co

I've had a few beers from Maine Beer Co but for some reason MO has often eluded me. I've had some of their others like Lunch or Weez, but it wasn't until the past weekend that I had finally been able to purchase a bottle from the Little Silver Bottle Shop. I was attending a wedding that Saturday and knowing I'd have some time to kill at the hotel, I decided to pop the bottle, fill up my B-Cup and take it all in.

The first thing is that the nose is incredible on this beer. It has good solid citrus notes once you really get a good whiff. I poured almost as clean as I could and the head was still frothy. The color is a beautiful shade of gold. It's an American Pale Ale, which means it clocks in at 6% ABV, making it absolutely drinkable on a Saturday afternoon while getting ready to attend a wedding.

 Flavors are of zesty citrus and passionfruit are present, but they are subtle. This isn't an over the top "hop-bomb" nor is it a "juice bomb". Overall, it is very clean, balanced and not overly bitter. As it warmed up, the flavors really started to shine and take over the entire beer. MO is not for slamming down, just meant to be enjoyed at a slower pace. Honestly, this is one of the better pale ales out there and a reminder that not all good beers need to be an over-the-top style.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

When thinking about pale ales, many would agree that Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale has born the mark of the pale ale benchmark. At 5.6%, this handcrafted ale has withstood the test of time. Crisp, yet decently hopped with Cascade, the SNPA has always been an industry go-to when either wanting a readily available pale ale or simply when wanting to revisit a timeless classic.

Now that summer has rolled around, Sierra Nevada is perfect for those wanting a smooth and drinkable pale ale that doesn't taste overly hoppy. Whether you are at the beach or just having mowed the lawn, this beer is for those that like their malts to be perfectly balanced with their hops. When wanting to introduce a fellow friend or relative and looking to initiate them in the style, look no further than Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale.

Magnify Brewing's Low Visibility

In anticipation of my review of Magnify Brewing, here's a picture of their Pale Ale: Low Visibility. At 4.8% it is a reasonably drinkable Pale Ale that is more about the taste than the ABV. The picture is meant to exemplify the earthiness of this beer, but the characteristics go beyond that. There is some fruitiness to it with hints of bitterness that compliment beer really well. If you have a chance to have one of these at a BBQ, please do so. Cheers!