The beer: Weekend Warrior Pale Ale
The brewery: Karbach Brewing Co. in Houston
Style: American pale ale; made with American hops and malts, these ales usually show more hop character and less caramel notes than the British pale ales.
The pitch: This is an excellent American pale ale, made with five hop varieties for a more hop-forward profile. Beautiful citrus, floral and pine aromas prepare you for the hop flavors to come. Pine resin and grapefruit rind flavors are prominent, but they're backed with just enough biscuit-malt flavor to temper the bitterness. Moderate carbonation keeps the beer refreshing, the hops lend a dry finish, and the 5.5 percent alcohol level hits the midrange for the style. This is a satisfying pale ale that IPA fans could enjoy, too.
Fun fact: Thanks to the expansion of its brewery in Houston, Karbach Brewing Co. has been able to increase production for distribution of its beers in North Texas. Last week, eight beers from Karbach's lineup became available in Dallas stores, in cans. Karbach has been brewing beer since 2011, and has a following not only in Houston but in Austin and San Antonio as well.
Serve it, pair it: Don't drink it ice cold, or you'll miss the balance of flavors and pick up only hops. Try it with Mexican food, Indian curries, chili or pizza.
Get some: Widely available at stores and supermarkets with a large selection of craft beers.
Tina Danze is a freelance writer. Follow here on Twitter @Tina Danze.
