Judge’s Review: 96 Rating – Nelson Pale by pFriem Family Brewers

American Pale Ale | Seasonal | USA

By Rick Franckhauser

Judges Rating: 96
Aroma: 22
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 39
Mouthfeel: 10
Overall Impression: 19

Nelson Pale by pFriem Family Brewers was judged as BJCP Category 18 B, American Pale Ale, per the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines.
Melon, peach and a little underlying pine resin and citrus all greet the nose at moderately high levels. All notes are very fresh alongside bright hop aromatics. As a personal preference, I did want a little less resin and a touch more melon, for what it’s worth. The aroma is very promising and raising expectations for the flavor to follow. There is a note of underlying base malt that’s neutral, with no caramel or sweet impression. Very clean fermentation allows the hops to be the star of the show. In terms of appearance, this beer pours a light-gold with a hint of an apricot hue. Very clear, not quite bright, with lots of tiny bubbles ascending. A white creamy head drops to a wispy cap but holds nice lace and great retention.
The flavor does not disappoint and even elevates what the aroma promised. The melon and peach are joined by pineapple and a low-level white grape. Very fresh hop flavors and a firm but rounded bitterness dominates but are paired with sufficient malt to simply support the hops and avoid them from taking on a completely dominant IPA-like role, which is a good thing in an APA. The medium-dry finish with some lingering melon and pineapple carries well into the aftertaste. Very quaffable, nothing is overdone. Medium-light body with moderately high levels of carbonation. A smooth finish with a slight hop bite combines with the carbonation to clean off the palate and prepare for more.
This is a near-perfect example of an American Pale Ale featuring New World hops. Interesting and inviting hop aromas and flavors are present with a nice, round supporting malt presence. The beer clearly lands in the APA lane, and, thankfully, it doesn’t try to push up against the IPA boundary, as many others in this style seem to do. The balance is defiantly toward the hops but the malt is surely present, providing a nice touch of maltiness without being sweet or caramelly. Supremely enjoyable. I suppose a slight elevation of the hops in the nose and maybe a very slight increase of the malt in the flavor would bring the beer to perfection. I would also suppose if I were drinking this beer fresh off the tap at the brewery, I may experience a perfect modern interpretation of an APA.