Review: American Ale by Brooklyn Brewery

The team at Brooklyn Brewery must have made some type of deal with the devil. They are entirely unable to make a bad beer.

Founded in 1987 by a former Associated Press Middle East correspondent and a banker, Brooklyn Brewery is truly a standout in the craft beer industry. In 2012, Esquire magazine chose the Brooklyn Lager as one of the “Best Canned Beers to Drink Now.”

Potential Faustian bargain aside, Brooklyn Brewery is committed to their community. By 2003, Brooklyn Brewery was the first NYC company relying on 100% wind-generated electricity.

Since their founding in 1988, Brooklyn Brewery has been a supporter of local and national arts, music and community efforts. There is just so much to love about Brooklyn Brewery, a true American success story.

When my brother-in-law handed me their American Ale, I was surprised – I had never seen this style from Brooklyn Brewery. Apparently, neither did most of the country.

Brooklyn American Ale was developed for the Scandinavian market in 2009, only becoming available stateside in 2015 when they saw how well their Summer Ale was doing – they wanted a style like the Summer Ale that they could sell year-round.

American Ale is brewed using American Two-row, Carafoam, and Crisp malts with Willamette, Cascade and Amarillo hops and their own house ale yeast.

Like America, this beer is a melting pot. Golden amber in color, slightly darker than it’s older brother, the Summer Ale, the American Ale has strong carbonation with generous white head that lasts.

You can easily smell the herbal notes and resinous pine aromas alongside a slight caramel malt sweetness.

The pine carries over onto your taste buds, along with the juicy orange citrus, followed by a hop bitterness typically a characteristic of an IPA, leading to an oily mouth feel and bitter finish that stays with you.

An easy drinking session ale – perfect to fill the cooler for your next barbecue. Summer is now year-round.

• ABV: 4.5%
• IBU: 30
• Style: American Pale Ale
• Taste: Pine, Citrus, Hops
• Rating: 4/5
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Andrij Harasewych

Editor at The Craft Beer Diaries. Devoted husband and father. Excessively geeky. Comic books, video games, and craft beer are my vices. Favorite beer style easily the IPA. Growing love for the DIPA, specifically.

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