Port City Essential Pale Ale

Port City Brewing Company opened in Alexandria, Virginia earlier this year. In just a few months they've gained a pretty wide distribution, even down into Fredericksburg. The brewery is a production brewery, not a brewpub, though tours and tastings are available. I recently picked up six-packs of a couple of their beers.

The first Port City beer we tried is the Essential Pale Ale. The beer pours a marmalade-orange color, and slightly hazy. The head is white and thin, even with a hard pour. The foam, though thin is persistent. The aroma is somewhat fruity with a bready sweetness. The flavor is grainy, sweet malt with a background of mildly bitter citrus and pine notes. The malt flavors hold the forefront of the flavor profile, with just enough bitterness to keep the sweetness in check. The finish is dry, without any long-lingering aftertaste.

Port City Essential Pale Ale is well-balanced, and mild beer. I suspect this would make a good everyday beer, easily enjoyed by drinkers across the spectrum of beer preferences. I certainly enjoyed it.

Port City currently produces three other beers in additional to Essential Pale Ale; Monumental IPA, Optimal Wit, and Porter. I look forward to trying them out and will report my findings here.