TXPA - Real Ale Review
It’s not often we run into a beer style that’s new to us, but when we do it’s like hooking into a big old bass at that new pond you discovered. It’s fun, and it’s why we do what we do, but what is this new style, Mr. Brew?
Well, I wouldn’t say it’s ‘new’, per se, but it’s (according to Real Ale) Australia’s favorite style: the Extra Pale Ale. Considering I don’t spend much time in Australia, it’s wonderful to experience a new place the way I like best, through beer. But what makes an XPA special? Light body, crisp drinkability, and punchy hop aroma. Real Ale uses rice to keep the body light alongside some enzymes. And they promise it’s packed with fresh aromas of papaya, pineapple, and passion fruit. Adding to the drinkability, the final product comes in at 5.0% ABV and 35 IBU.
The XPA can be found in America, and there are even a few icons you might have tried, but seeing as this is really our first go with it (and owing to the fact we might not normally pick up a beer like this) we’re going in with an open mind.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Straw-colored, unfiltered in look (Real Ale’s trademark), and topped with a snowy white and loose-pored head.
On the Nose--Gently fruity with papaya and pineapple at the front and a pinch of sharpness I would relate to passion fruit. I say gently, as in it’s not a punch in the face like a juicy or hazy IPA, but is clean, approachable, and still fruity.
On the Palate--Much punchier in hop sharpness and bitterness than I was expecting from the aroma. Light in body and crisp, TXPA allows the hops to shine with very little malt sweetness. The finish is a little white-winey and dry, and a touch of floral hops linger with an essence of yeast character.
Pairings: Goes great with summer, hot afternoons, and sitting on an Australian beach… or any beach. Truly great with fatty bar foods and barbecued summer fare.
Final Thoughts:
Seeing there was rice and enzymes used in the malt bill, and with the promise of tropical aromas, we were able to draw some quick conclusions about what this beer might be like. But we also had reservations that it might be too light and wimpy. Those beer qualities are not pleasant to drink ever, but remember: open can, open mind.
With that approach I think Real Ale made a pretty dang good beer. It’s not something I find myself going for often, but TXPA is aromatically pleasing and light, akin to a zippier, hoppier alternative Pale Ale with more character than your run-of-the-mill mass market lager. The use of rice and enzymes give this beer a (very) gentle sour, almost Berliner Weisse, quality that solidifies the crispness alongside the passion fruit notes. It also adds to the winey, dry finish that could also come from southern hemisphere hops, which add that white wine character.
Truly, this beer is good and sessionable—I can see why it’s so popular in Australia—and it is a great alternative to those wimpy and light mass market beers we chided earlier. It’s worth a try for summer fun.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew
If you’re looking for a sessionable IPA offered outside of Texas, try Founders’ All Day IPA. It comes in many flavors.
And if it’s more malt you want with your tropical fruits, hop aboard Saint Arnold’s Juice Train.