Bronx Belgian Pale Ale

To properly pull off a Belgian Pale Ale – a combination of hops-, malt-, and fermentation-derived flavors – the brewer needs to blend a combination of knowledge, skill, and artistry. Bronx Brewery’s Belgian Pale Ale does this remarkably well. The aroma of hay, grain, light honey, lemon, thyme, white pepper, coriander, alcohol and pear is complex but no single aroma dominates the others. Everything is properly proportioned.

The lovely, deep golden beer sits below a tall, persistent white head that leaves delicate lacing on the sides of the glass. A slight haze is all that detracts.

The flavor of the beer continues the trend of bright notes in proper balance. The moderate straw, hay and honey malt flavors help to support the medium-high lemony, herbal hop flavor and bitterness found in the beer. Belgian fermentation character comes through as a light red apple ester with hints of anise and pepper and ultimately aids in drying out the finish. Resin, thyme, and grapefruit characters linger.

Highly quaffable with a medium-light body and medium-high carbonation. Bronx’s Belgian Pale Ale hits the mark for the style despite being a bit higher in alcohol than is typical.