Beer of the Week (Vol. LII)

Another edition of Beer of the Week brought to you by the stout-hearted men and women of Glen Lake Wine & Spirits.

When you think of Stillwater, Minnesota beer is not the first thing that comes to mind. Book stores, coffee shops, antique stores, bed and breakfasts, and neutered metrosexuals carrying their wife's purse about town do. Oh, did I mention that our own Brian "Saint Paul" Ward is also a proud resident of Stillwater?

But there are still a few manly men in the greater Stillwater area including the founders of the Lift Bridge Brewery. They've been on the local beer scene for a few years and the reach of their distribution and breadth of their offering continue to grow. One of their year round beers that's becoming more and more available throughout the Twin Cities is Crosscut Pale Ale.

Brown bottle with light brown label featuring a nostalgic photo from the days when the men of Stillwater were really men.



Beer Style: American Pale Ale

Alcohol by Volume: 5.5%

COLOR (0-2): Golden amber. Slightly cloudy. 2

AROMA (0-2): Light hops with hints of grapefruit. 2

HEAD (0-2): White shallow head with decent lacing. 1

TASTE (0-5): Hops and caramel malt flavors are pretty well balanced out of the gate. More bitter and citrus flavors as it unfolds. Medium bodied with a thinner mouthfeel. Very drinkable. 3

AFTERTASTE (0-2): Lingering bitterness. 2

OVERALL (0-6): Doesn't fit the usual American pale ale profile. More amber in color and more of the hoppy grapefuit taste you would expect from an IPA. Different is good in this case and Crosscut Pale Ale is an above average beer. 4

TOTAL SCORE (0-19): 14