Wild Onion Brewing Company- Paddy Pale Ale: Wild…Sorta. Ameri"CAN" Craft Beer Review Month - Day 7
Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 4:19PM | by Jason 
Damn it’s been downright hot here in the Midwest and I for one have had enough. I’d be ok with it if it was August but it’s the beginning of June. Thankfully, the fridge is stocked with tons of luscious canned Craft Brews to be enjoyed. This next brew is of the local variety. Despite being around since 1995, I had only recently heard of Wild Onion Brewing Company when their brews started hitting the shelves of the local beverage depot. Now that I know that they are a short hour and a half drive, I’m going to have to make a trip north and see what this Pub & Brewery are all about. Plus, you can’t beat Craft Beer directly from the source. Seeing that I am a huge fan of pale ales, I decided that I would make Wild Onion Brewing Company’s Paddy Pale Ale my beer de jour.
Wild Onion Brewing Company classifies this brew as an American Pale Ale and their website briefly describes Paddy Pale Ale as, “This American-style pale ale is our flagship brand and celebrates the
blending of intense hop character and crisp, malty mouthful.” After further inspection of the can it continued the story, “Over 100 years ago, two hard-working Irish immigrant railmen mused over a pint about building a brewery. Today, we honor our ancestors’ dream with a robust session ale. This American pale ale celebrates the artful blend of imported malts and floral Cascade hops. According to the can, this brew is 5.6% ABV, however the website states 5.4% ABV.
Paddy Pale Ale pours a sunset golden orange with a small ½” tan head. The aroma is earthy, grapefruit, citrusy and hoppy.
My first impression of Paddy Pale Ale was the aroma; it reminded me more of an IPA than a pale. This doesn’t present itself to be a problem for me as I like my pales with a bit of an extra hoppy kick. This is a good sign and made my anticipation of the flavor to come hard to bare. Upon my first sip, very hoppy with a burst of citrus and this pale is of a more aggressive variety. That however is where it ended; the flavor seems to just drop off after the middle. Paddy Pale Ale is very IPA up front, pale in the middle and nowhere to be found in the end. There is no finish which I find highly disappointing. It’s like going to a play and after the second act, knowing that there is supposed to be a third, and no one ever comes back to the stage. I’m a little torn on Paddy Pale Ale, I do like it, I just don’t love it. It is one that you should try for yourself.
ABV: 5.6%
Consumed: New Belgium Globe Glass
Verdict: Buy A Six Pack
