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Beer Reviews

Pale Ale

August Schell Brewing
New Ulm, MN
USA
http://www.schellsbrewery.com/

Style: American Pale Ale

Rings’s Rating:
   (Recommended)


Comments:
August Schell bills itself as America’s “2nd oldest family owned brewery” and has existed as a regional and contract brewer since its 1860 founding by German immigrants.

In the past decade and a half, they’ve also jumped on the craft brew bandwagon, by introducing a range of “classic” brews, in addition to their long-standing Premium Lager. Their lineup now includes stouts, pilsners, hefeweizens, ambers and seasonals. They’ve even managed to win a few awards from some of the bigger brewing festivals for their efforts in a few categories. They also brew the Grain Belt labels, which is a more economical American light lager.

I decided to give their Pale Ale a try.

While it’s supposedly “steeped in German heritage”—which seems a bit odd for an English style—it can definitely be described as an American pale ale. It has more body than I expected and an East Kent Golding dry finish, which is rather pronounced. While perhaps a little thinner than most locally brewed versions, it’s actually not too bad—in fact, it’s surprisingly tasty—and fair representation of the style.

I’m curious to try a few more of their efforts.

I’d give it a solid three. While not outstanding, it certainly doesn’t suck.

Reviewed by Rings on April 15, 2010.

Drinkin’ And Thinkin’

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