Beer Review: Yard's Brewing Company Philadelphia Pale Ale

APV: 4.6%

Availability: Select markets in bottles and kegs

Website: http://www.yardsbrewing.com

Yard's Brewing according to their official website was founded in 1994 in a garage in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia, PA. Their "pale ale" is touted as a "non-traditional pale ale" and features a few unique aspects that make this a special beer to enjoy. The New York Times even ranked Yard's Philadelphia Pale Ale as one of the best pale ales in the United States.

This pale ale is described as crisp and hoppy with a citrus like aroma and taste. The aroma coming off a freshly opened bottle is slightly sweet with a distinct citrus smell.

The first sip is refreshing and smooth with a distinct finish that is hoppy and tingles the tastebuds a little bit. Some drinkers might find themselves thinking that a slice of lemon was dropped into the beer during bottling as the citrus flavors come across as lemony in some sips. Depending on the drinker's taste some drinkers may find it slightly bitter but as far as "hoppy" beers go this is far from a more traditional "IPA" type brew.

As you continue to drink Philadelphia Pale Ale the citrusy taste subsides slightly only to return towards the bottom of the bottle or glass. The bitterness is really determined by the drinker's own taste. The hoppiness of the beer varies throughout the drink although again some drinkers not used to pale ales may find the hoppiness slightly strong. Note however that this is one of the "least hoppy" pale ales on the market. Truly hoppy beers leave many casual beer drinkers cringing which certainly doesn't happen with this beer.

While the hoppiness may vary slightly throughout drinking the consistency of the texture, crispness, and flavor remains good. This beer is crisp and it is a great summer day beer although its easily a year round beer too. Its not too heavy and not too filling making this an excellent "starter pale ale" for beer drinkers used to mass produced light beers.

One final thing to address is the look of the beer especially at the bottom of the bottle and sometimes out of the tap. The beer has a slightly unfiltered look which means some residuals from the brewing process may settle at the bottom of the bottle or glass. This occurs in some beers and can be considered normal in some styles of pale ales and other microbrew beers.

Overall this is a decent beer from a small independent brewery. While availability may vary widely based on location this beer is worth a try if you happen to come across it.