Sudwerk Pale Ale

Brewed by Sudwerk Privatbrauerei Hubsch
Style: English Pale Ale
Davis, California USA

(Draft: Sudwerk Restaurant and Brewery in Davis, CA) The latest batch (and thus a new recipe), this one is not your typical west coast pale ale, and frankly, it’s not your typical American pale ale either. The aromatic nose tells you this right from the start. The deep caramel maltiness smells sweet and rich without seeming sugary. That same true caramel maltiness leads the way in the flavor, again showing quality and characer by tasting sweet without seeming cheap and sugary. Mild hops sits in the background, lending modest bitterness and a hint of citrus for pleasant balance in the finish, though the caramel maltiness always remains on top. Although, as the beer warms to true room temperature, a bit more citrus starts to show up. The long-lasting, medium-to-full body is testament to the rich maltiness of this pale ale. Pours a gorgeous dark amber color, and the tall light tan head slowly settles to a thin but complete layer, leaving large, dense patches of lace on the glass. Honestly, I couldn’t believe this was a pale ale, and I thought they poured the wrong beer, but I’ve confirmed that I did indeed have a glass of the pale ale. So much different from any other American brewed pale ale I’ve tasted, and simply outstanding.

Notes from March 05 visit to Sac/Davis. Draft. This is an unfiltered APA, according to the Sudwerk manager. Very cloudy light amber color and a decent head. A decent hoppy nose, of some mix of citrus hop and earthy hop. Flavor is a little lacking, malts and some mild fruits. Again there was an earthy element to it, probably from the hops. A mediocre pale ale.

Draft. Copper color with a very good whitish head. Big citrus hop aroma. Citrus hops and earthy/spicey hop flavor that just don’t quite meld. Some malt backing.

Cloudy and unfiltered with a medium amber color; nice head. Very curious nose; made me think of green fruits and yeast (kind of musty, too). Soft and creamy texture with a mild carbonation. Seemed like it was from a cask, but I couldn’t ask my server because he never came by to check on us -- at all. The beer had some other elements of earth and wet rag, but it wasn’t as bad as that sounds.