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The Pike Brewing Company is a well-established micro out of Seattle, WA. Located by the Pike Market, this brewery has recently been sold back to its original founders, Charles and Roseanne Finkel, and I’m glad to hear it. These guys know the beer business. Charles Finkel is a pioneer in the early days of the craft brew industry. He started both Pike Brewing Company and Merchant Du Vin, a specialty beer importer back in the days before the American beer palate was what it is today.

Because Pike Pale Ale has always been a staple in our house, I’m glad it is in capable hands. It is among my wife’s favorites, and we both liked it enough to serve it at our wedding. A straight-forward ale, it has a slightly assertive hop presence (but not too much), with a balanced aroma. Just a good tasting beer. Not much to say, except that it’s hard to find in central Oregon.

Appearance: A nice amber, with a just a bit of haze. Smell: Both malt and hop hit at the same time. A very balanced aroma. Although there is some citrus, it’s not the in-your-face grapefruit that many NW pale and IPA’s exhibit. A slight hint of cotton-candy? Taste: Caramelized malt, distinct hop bitterness, slight pear or apple in the background. Clean flavor with a nice lingering bitterness at the end. Mouthfeel: Light-medium bodied. Drinkability: A highly drinkable beer. This isn’t a sit-down-for-an-hour-as-the-beer-opens-up kind of brew. It is a great work-horse beer that both my wife and I like to keep well-stocked.

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