Pale ales are a dime a dozen in the craft beer world. The brewmasters at Nickel Brook over in Burlington, Ontario, however, came up with an American style pale ale that would make even the hop heads take notice.
American Pale Ales have been around for over 40 years.
They first started out as a special run by the Anchor Brewing Company based on older British pale ale recipes to celebrate the American bicentennial in 1976, and were made popular by the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in 1980.
Key characteristics include hoppy flavour (30-45 IBU’s) and an ABV ranging from 4.5% to IPA strength at 6.2.
Naughty Neighbour clocks in at 4.9% ABV and has 38 IBU, a very easy drinking beer, especially on a hot summer’s day.
Pouring the Naughty Neighbour into a glass, you get a hazy pale gold colour with a nice white head. At first glance you might think this is a New England IPA (I’ll get to that).
Nickel Brook loves their hops, and the list in this beer includes Cascade, Centennial, and Citra, the cornerstone of any decent IPA. Other ingredients include California yeast, while the malt line up includes 2-Row, Caraform, Pale Ale, Carastan, and Flaked Wheat.
Scent wise, you’re greeted with delicate grapefruit and other citrus notes.
Sipping the pour, you are met with grapefruit, citrus and hoppy flavours – almost like a New England IPA dialled back to about 70%, but still quite hop forward. The finish is very clean.
The Naughty Neighbour is a great back deck, dock or patio beer for a hot Summer’s day. Being session strength, it won’t knock you over like an IPA.
You still get the New England IPA taste but not quite as bitter, which means this is great for those who want to try an IPA but are intimidated – Naughty Neighbour is a gateway beer for the world of hops.
American Pale Ales are everywhere, and so is the Naughty Neighbour. You can buy in 473ml tallboy cans at Nickel Brook Brewery, LCBO outlets, in select grocery stores, and on tap in pubs and bars around southern Ontario.
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Style: American Pale Ale
- ABV: 4.9%
- IBU: 38
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