Judge's Review: 89 Rating - Partake Brewing Pale (Non-Alcoholic) by Partake Brewing

Partake Brewing Pale (Non-Alcoholic) by Partake Brewing is a non-alcoholic (0.3%) Pale Ale by Partake Brewing. Evaluated as an American Pale Ale (2015 Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) Category 18B) according to BJCP guidelines. For this style, one looks for a refreshing and hoppy beer with moderate hop aroma and flavor. Partake’s Pale, despite its lack of intensity and body, is a very light refreshing pale ale.

Partake Brewing’s Pale aroma begins with low caramel followed by low muted notes of pine needles and candied tangerine rinds, vanilla pods, low cocoa powder, and frothy white wheat. Pale’s ivory creamy persistent head sits on a slightly hazy golden brown beer.

While lacking in intensity, its flavor is reminiscent of crackers and supported by tangerines and pine needles with an aftertaste of restrained hop bitterness. The mouthfeel is crisp and refreshing balanced by a clean dry finish that is unmistakably watery. Overall, an easy to drink watery pale ale. For the style, it needs more intense aroma, flavor and a fuller body.

At first, I was concerned the beer was too drinkable. When I realized it was non-alcoholic, my concerns were about calories. When I realized it had 10 calories a can, the body’s similarity to flavored carbonated water with mineral additions made sense. Unfortunately, after drinking half a can, my lips become puckered and the minerality of the water hinders its crushability.